His Creation
We believe that man was created by an immediate act of God and not by a process of evolution; that he was created in the image and likeness of God, possessing personality and holiness; that he was endowed with power of rational and responsible choice in view of moral ends; and that the purpose of his creation was to glorify God (Gen. 1:27
; Col. 3:10
; Acts 17:24-28
).
His Fall
We believe that in the providence of God, man was brought to trial in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1-6
). Under trial he lost his holy estate, incurring spiritual death for himself and all of humanity (Rom. 5
); was alienated from God (Eph. 4:18
); and became depraved physically, mentally, morally, and spiritually by voluntarily transgressing his positive command, and yielding to the enticement of Satan. In consequence of this act of disobedience, the entire human race became involved in sin so that in every heart there is by nature that evil disposition which eventually leads to responsible acts of sin and to just condemnation (Gen. 3:1-6
; Rom. 1:19-32, 3
:10-12, 3:23, 5:12, 5:18; Eph. 4:18
; I John 1:8-10
).
His Redemption
We believe that God has provided redemption for men through the mediatorial work of Christ, who voluntarily offered himself on Calvary as a perfect sacrifice for sin, the just suffering for the unjust, bearing sin’s curse and tasting death for every man (Matt. 20:28
; Heb. 9:11-12
; I Pet. 3:18
; Gal. 3:13
; Heb. 2:9
; I Timothy 2:5-6
).
