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Home , The Sheep and the Goats

Theological Conviction Statement Christopher Cleveland

Part I: Theological Views

The Inspiration and Canonicity of Scripture While the creation reveals the glory of God, and the firmament declares His handiwork, these things are not in and of themselves sufficient to lead human beings to a saving knowledge of God in Christ. Therefore, God spoke throughout history in various times and in various ways to His church, revealing to them His will and His nature. These revelations were written down by men who were moved by the Holy Spirit, and are properly recognized to be the inspired Word of God, the Bible. There are sixty-six books of the Bible: thirty nine in the Old Testament, and twenty-seven in the New Testament. The Apocrypha are not inspired books, and are not to be counted next to the books of Holy Scripture. As the former ways of God’s revelation through dreams, miracles and visions have ceased, the Scriptures are necessary for knowledge of salvation. As the former means of revelation through prophets and apostles has ended, it is in the Scriptures alone that we find the will of God. All Scripture is breathed by God, and thus contains all things necessary for salvation and for holiness. (II Timothy 3:16)

The Doctrine of the Trinity The doctrine of the Trinity teaches that there is One God (Deuteronomy 6:4). This one God is three distinct persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19, Ephesians 4:4-6). The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Spirit is God. There are not three Gods, however, but only one God. There is one essence, with three persons. These three persons are not simply one person under different “modes” or “masks,” but are three distinct persons with distinct personal properties. The Father is neither begotten, nor proceeding. The Son is begotten of the Father. The Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.

The of Christ The Lord Jesus Christ currently reigns exalted at the right hand of God the Father (Acts 2:32-36; I Corinthians 15:24-28). He is the King of kings, and His reign began at His ascension. Through His word and Spirit, the Lord Jesus Christ is making disciples of all nations and making them His people. One day He shall return, literally, visibly, bodily (Acts 1:11). Christ’s return is the end of history and the beginning of eternity. His return shall initiate the final judgment, where He shall separate the sheep and the goats (:31-46). Christ at His return shall destroy the ‘’ or the ‘.’ (II Thessalonians 2:1-12) Jesus shall reign until He has destroyed all of His enemies, as the anointed King, the .

The Continuation of the Sign Gifts of the Holy Spirit God gave to His church inspired apostles and prophets to teach and communicate God’s Word. When these men died, their inspired teachings were recognized as the Word of God, and correctly seen as Scripture. God thus removed prophecy and tongues because they were no longer necessary. Scripture is necessary because prophecy and tongues have ceased. God no longer directly communicates to His people through such means. Rather, He communicates to them through His Word, illuminating its meaning by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thus God has given in Scripture a body of teaching that is sufficient for faith, practice, and life. These gifts of tongues, signs, and prophecy were given for an appointed time, along with the other gifts of the Spirit such as faith, hope, and love (I Corinthians 12:1-11) But as these were appointed only for a certain time, they passed away. “As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.” (I Corinthians 13:8) What remains therefore are the gifts and fruits of the Spirit such as faith, hope, and love, by which the church is built up in the love of Christ (I Corinthians 13:13; Galatians 5:22-23). Believers are called to exemplify these gifts, as the sign gifts have passed away.

The Five Points of Calvinism (with attention to the extent of the Atonement) The Five Points of Calvinism are clearly taught in Scripture. Total Depravity, the first point, teaches that all men are fallen in Adam, and that each is born a sinner. There is no part of man’s nature that is unaffected by sin. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked.” (Ephesians 2:1-2a) Unconditional election teaches that there is nothing in human beings that is or can be the basis for God’s electing grace. Grace is according to God’s good pleasure and His will, and is not given according to anything in the person who is elected. Romans teaches that in the case of Jacob and Esau, “though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad-- in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls” God chose one, but not the other (Romans 9:11). Limited Atonement teaches that Jesus died for His people, and paid the price for their sins. He paid the price for the sins of the church. He did not die for those who are not elect, but only for those who are redeemed. “I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:15) Christ was offered as a sacrifice to bear the sins of His people. “Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many,” (Hebrews 9:28). Irresistible Grace teaches that God’s grace cannot be impeded by any effort of the person receiving grace. There is nothing that anyone can do to stop the grace of God. “So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” (Romans 9:16) Perseverance of the Saints teaches that God preserves us from the beginning of our salvation until eternity. Those who have truly been regenerated will never fall away or lose their salvation. “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

The Doctrine of the Church (including the proper recipients of the sacraments) There is one Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. This Church is made up of all of God’s people from every age from creation until the consummation. The Church made visible is made up of all of those who profess faith in Christ together with their children. This Church has been given the ordinary means of grace, namely, the preaching of the gospel, and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. As such, there is no ordinary possibility of salvation outside of the Church, because the Church is where one hears and sees the gospel of Christ. The sacrament of baptism, as the sacrament of initiation, is given to believers and to their children, just as circumcision was given to the children of believers before Christ. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, as a sacrament of communion, is proper only for those who have professed faith in Christ, and who are capable of self-examination.

The Role of Women in the Church (including the issue of their ordination to church office) Scripture is very clear that women are forbidden to teach or to have authority over men. I Timothy 2:12 states, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather she is to remain quiet.” As this is the explicit command of the inerrant Scriptures, it is therefore our duty to follow it. This text is not bound by any sort of cultural restraint, because it is the Word of God, and because Paul roots what he is saying in the creation order and in the roles of the fall: “For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.” (I Timothy 2:13-14) Thus women are forbidden to be ordained to the gospel ministry of Word and sacrament. Moreover, when the apostles ordained deacons in Acts 6, they clearly chose men. These deacons were given the authority necessary to resolve the dispute over the daily distribution. For this reason, women cannot be ordained to the office of deacon. The word diakonon as applied to Phoebe in Romans 16:1 is properly translated as “servant,” as indicated in the context. The two offices of elder and deacon are open only to men, and closed to women.

The Doctrine of Creation (including the view of the days of Genesis one)

God created all things out of nothing. Creation had a beginning, and was brought into being by God. God created the earth in six days. On the seventh, He rested. These days consisted of both a morning and an evening, and are meant to be understood as literal 24-hour days. Adam was created on the sixth day. Adam was created from the dust of the earth, and was the first human being created. Adam was alone, until God created Eve from his side. Young earth creationism is the view that is most consistent with the teaching of Genesis 1-3. Genesis 1 is not mythical, but a grand proclamation of the creation of the universe. It is written in a manner that is appropriate to such a great work of God. Whereas Genesis 1 focuses upon God’s relationship to the whole of creation, Genesis 2 focuses upon the relationship of the covenant Lord to mankind in particular.

Part II: Exceptions to the Standards

I do not take any exceptions to the standards.