Confession of Faith
Our faith is founded on the Bible. Mark1615 adopts the Apostles' Creed as our statement of faith, confessing this universal faith together with the church through the ages. This site is not a church; this creed is the boundary for our writing and teaching.
Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth;
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to the dead; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen!
Translation: Hymns of Universal Praise (Christian Literature Society, 1978 Edition)
Ten Points of Faith
The following ten points, written based on the Bible and with reference to the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) and the Heidelberg Catechism (1563), explain how we understand and preach this faith.
1.The Bible
The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired word of God, infallible and sufficient, and the sole infallible rule of faith and life. Whatever is necessary for God's glory, human salvation, faith, and life is either expressly set down in Scripture or can be lawfully and necessarily deduced from Scripture; at no time may new revelations or human traditions be added. (Cf. Westminster Confession of Faith 1.6)
Scripture References:2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalms 119:105
2.The Triune God
There is only one true and living God, existing eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; these three are the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
Scripture References:Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24
3.Creation and Providence
God created the heavens and the earth and all things out of nothing, and by His great power and wisdom, He preserves and governs all created things.
Scripture References:Genesis 1:1; Matthew 10:29
4.The Fall of Man and Sin
Man was created in the image of God, but our first parents rebelled against God's command, and the whole human race thereby fell in sin, dead in trespasses and sins, unable to turn back to God by their own strength. Every sin deserves God's wrath and curse, both in this life and the life to come. (Cf. Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 84)
Scripture References:Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1; Romans 3:10
5.Christ—The Only Mediator
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, truly God and truly man. He lived a life of perfect obedience to God's law, died on the cross as a substitute for sinners, made propitiation, and satisfied God's justice; on the third day He bodily rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of God the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Scripture References:John 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:5; Romans 3:25; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
6.Salvation by Grace
Salvation is entirely of God's grace. The Holy Spirit uses the gospel to convict people of sin, illuminates them to know Christ, renews their will, and enables them to receive Christ freely offered in the gospel.
Scripture References:Ephesians 2:8–9; John 3:3
VII.Justification by Faith Alone
Sinners are justified before God not because of any of their own merits, but solely because Christ's righteousness is imputed to them, and received by faith alone. (Cf. Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 33; Heidelberg Catechism, Question 60)
Scripture References:Romans 3:24; Romans 4:5; Galatians 2:16; Romans 5:1
VIII.Repentance and Sanctification
Saving faith is always accompanied by repentance. God causes justified persons to progressively grow in holiness in their lives, put sin to death, live in new obedience, and keeps them to the end.
Scripture References:Acts 20:21; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 1:6
IX.The Church and the Sacraments
Christ is the only Head of the Church. The marks of the Church are the pure preaching of the gospel, the administration of baptism and the Lord's Supper as instituted by Christ, and the exercise of church discipline. Believers ought to commit themselves to a local church. (Cf. Belgic Confession, Article 29)
Scripture References:Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:26; Hebrews 10:24–25
X.Last Things
After death, the body returns to dust and the soul returns to God. When Christ returns, the dead will be raised, and all people will stand before Christ's judgment seat: unbelievers will go away into eternal punishment; those who trust in Christ will be with the Lord and enjoy eternal life. To God be all the glory.
Scripture References:John 5:28–29; Matthew 25:46; Acts 17:31; 2 Thessalonians 1:9
Other Historic Creeds
In addition to the Apostles' Creed, the following creeds and confessions are also important references for our writing and teaching:
Ecumenical Creeds
The Nicene Creed, The Chalcedonian Creed
Reformed Confessions
The Heidelberg Catechism, The Belgic Confession, The Westminster Confession of Faith, and The Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechisms