My statement of faith

It has become abundantly clear to me that what I believe is just as important as why I believe it. To that end, please find a Scriptually accurate statement of faith to which I give my solemn pledge.
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That the only true God is He who was revealed to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, by angelic visitation and vision, and to Moses at the flaming bush (unconsumed) and at Sinai, and who manifested Himself in the Lord Jesus Christ, as the supreme self-existent Deity, the ONE FATHER, dwelling in unapproachable light, yet everywhere present by His Spirit, which is a unity with His person in heaven. He hath, out of His own underived energy, created heaven and earth, and all that in them is. (Deut. 6:1; I Kings 8:30-39,43-49; I Chron. 29:11-14; II Chron. 16:9; Neh. 9:6; Job 9:4; 26:13; 28:24; 34:21; 36:5; Job 38,39 and 40; Psa. 33:13-14; 44:21; 62:11; 92:5; 94:9; 104:24; 123:1; 124:8; 139:7-11; 145:3; 146:6 147:4-5; 148:5; Prov. 15:3; Isa. 26:4; 28:29; 40:13-27; 3:10-12; 44:6-8; 45:5; 46:9-10; Jer.10:12-13; 23:24 27:5; 32:19,25; 51:15; Amos 9:2-3; Matt. 6:9; Mark 12:29-32; Acts 14:15; 17:24; 27-28; Rom. 1:27; I Cor. 8:4-6; Eph. 4:6; I Tim. 1:17; 2:5; 6:15-16).

That Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God [not "God the Son"], begotten of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit, without the intervention of man, and afterwards anointed with the same Spirit, without measure, at his baptism. (Isa. 7:14; 11:2; 41:1; 21:1; Matt. 1:18-25; 3:16-17; Luke 1:26-35; John 3:34; 7:16; 8:26-28; 14:10-24; Acts 2:22-24; Gal.4:4).

That the appearance of Jesus of Nazareth on the earth was necessitated by the position and state into which the human race had been brought by the circumstances connected with the first man. (Gen. 3:19; Rom. 5:12-19; I Cor. 15:21-22; II Cor. 5:19-21).
That the first man was Adam, whom God created out of the dust of the ground as a living soul, or natural body of life, "very good" in kind and condition, and he was placed under a law through which the continuance of life was contingent on obedience. (Gen. 2:7:17; Job 4:19; 33:6; I Cor. 15:46-49).

That Adam broke this law, and was sentenced to return to the ground from whence he was taken- a sentence which in effect defiled and became a physical law of his being, and was transmitted to all his posterity. (Gen. 3:15-19,22-23; Job 14:4; Psa. 51:5; John 3:6; Rom. 5:12; 6:12; 7:18-24; I Cor. 15:22; II Cor. 1:9; 5:-2-4; Gal.5:16-17).

That God, in His kindness, conceived a plan of restoration which, without setting aside His just and necessary law of sin and death, should ultimately rescue the obedient of the race from destruction, and people the earth with sinless immortals. (John 1:29; 3:16; Rom. 3:26; II Tim. 1:1,10; Titus 1:2; I John 2:25; Rev. 21:4).

That He inaugurated this plan by making promises to Adam, Abraham, and David, which were afterwards elaborated in greater detail through the prophets. (Gen. 3:15; 22:18; Psa. 33:5; 89:34-37; Hosea 13:14; Isa. 25:7-9; 51:1-8; Jer. 23:5).

That these promises had reference to Jesus Christ, who was to be raised up of the condemned race of Adam, in the line of Abraham and David, and who, though wearing the condemned nature, was to obtain a title to resurrection by perfect obedience, and by dying abrogate the law of condemnation for himself and all who should believe and obey him. (Psa. 2:6-9; Dan. 7:13-14; Jer. 23:5; Zech. 14:9; Matt. 25:21; Mark16:16; John 5:21-22, 26-27; 14:3; Acts 13:34-39; Rom. 1:3; 3:22; 5:19-21; 8:3-4; 6:9-10; I Cor. 15:45; Gal. 1:4; 4:4-5; Eph. 1:9-10; Heb. 1:9; 2:14-16; 5:3-9; 7:27; 9:26; Rev. 1:18; 2:7: 3:21; 11:15).

That it was this mission that necessitated the miraculous begettal of Christ of a virgin descendant of Adam, enabling him to bear our condemnation, and, at the same time, to be a sinless bearer thereof, and, therefore, one who could rise after suffering the death required by the righteousness of God; and thus he destroyed in his own mortal nature that having the power of death, which is the devil; and will finally destroy the devil, or sin in the flesh, in all its forms of manifestation. (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; Rom. 1:3-4; 8:3; II Cor. 5:21; Gal. 4:3-4; Heb. 2:17; 4:15).

That being so begotten of God, and inhabited and used by God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was Immanuel, God with us, God manifested in the flesh-yet was, during his natural life, of like nature with mortal man, being made of a woman, of the house and lineage of David, and therefore a sufferer, in the days of his flesh, from all the effects that came by Adam's transgression, including the death that passed upon all men, which he shared by partaking of their physical nature. (Matt. 1:23; Gal. 4:4; I Tim. 3:16; Heb. 2:14,17).

That the message he delivered from God to his kinsmen, the Jews, was a call to repentance from every evil work, that assertion of his divine sonship and Jewish kingship; and the proclamation of the glad tidings that God would restore their kingdom through him, and accomplish all things written in the prophets. (Matt. 4:17; 5:17,20-48; 19:28; 21:42-43; 23:38-39; 25:14-51; 27:11-42; Mark 1:15; Luke 4:43; 13:27-30; 19:11-27; 22:28-30; John 1:49; 9:35; 10:24-25,36; 11:27; 19:21).

That for delivering this message, he was put to death by the Jews and Romans, who were however, but instruments in the hands of God, for the doing of that which He had determined before to be done, viz., the condemnation of sin in the flesh, through the offering of the body of Jesus once for all, as a propitiation to declare the righteousness of God, as a basis for the remission of sins. All who approach God through this crucified, but risen, representative of Adam's disobedient race, are forgiven. Therefore, by a figure, his blood cleanseth from sin. (Matt. 26:28; Luke 19:47; 20:1,26; 22:20; 24:26, 46-47; John 11:45-53; 14:6; Acts 4:12,27-28; 10:38-39; 13:26-29,38; Rom. 3:25; 8:3; 15:8; Gal. 1:4; 2:21; 3:21-22; 4:4-5; Heb. 7:27; 9:14-15; 26-29; 10:10; I Pet. 3:18; 2:24; I John 1:7).

That on the third day, God raised him from the dead, and exalted him to the heavens as priestly mediator between God and man, in the process of gathering from among them a people who should be saved by the belief and obedience of the truth. (Acts 2:24-27; 4:27; 10:40; 13:30-37; I Cor. 15:4)

That he is a priest over his own house only, and does not intercede for the world, or for professors who are abandoned to disobedience. That he makes intercession for his erring brethren, if they confess and forsake their sins. (Prov. 27:13; Luke 24:51; John 17:9; Acts 5:31; 13:39; 15:14; Eph.1:20; I Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:14-15; 8:1; 10:26; I John 2:2).
That he sent forth apostles to proclaim salvation through him, as the only name given under heaven whereby men may be saved. (Matt. 28:19-20; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8; 4:12; 26:16-18).

That the way to obtain this salvation is to believe the gospel they preached, and to take on the name and service of Christ, by being immersed in water into his name and continuing patiently in the observance of all things he has commanded, none being recognized as his friends except those who do what he has commanded. (Matt.28:20; Mark 16:16; John 15:14; Acts 2:38,41; 8:12; 10:47; 16:31; 23:48; Rom. 1:16; 2:7; 6:3-5; Gal. 3:27-29).
That the gospel consists of "the things cocerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ." (Acts 8:12; 19:8,10,20; 28:30-31).

That "the things concerning the kingdom of God" are the facts and truths testified concerning the kingdom of God in the writings of the prophets and apostles, and definable as in the next twelve paragraphs.
That God will set up a kingdom in the earth, which will overthrow all others, and change them into "the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ." (Dan. 2:44; 7:13-14; Isa. 11:9-10; 32:1,6; Rev. 11:15).

That for this purpose God will send Jesus Christ personally to the earth at the close of the times of the Gentiles. (Psa. 102:16,21; Dan. 7:13; Acts 1:9,11; 3:20-21; II Tim. 4:1).
That the kingdom which he will establish will be the kingdom of Israel restored, in the territory it formerly occupied, viz., the land bequeathed for an everlasting possession to Abrhamam and his seed (the Christ) by covenant. (Gen. 12:14,17; Lev. 26:42; Jer. 22:3,8; Ezek. 37:21-22; Amos 9:11,15; Micah 4:6-8; 7:20; Gal. 3:16; Heb. 11:8-9).

That this restoration of the kingdom again to Israel will involve the ingathering of God's chosen but scattered nation, the Jews; their reinstatement in the land of their fathers, when it shall have been reclaimed from "the desolation of many generations;" the building again of Jerusalem to become "the throne of the Lord" and the metropolis of the whole earth. (Isa. 11:12; 24:23; 51:3; 60:15; 62:4; Jer. 3:7; 31:10; Ezek. 36:34,36; Joel 3:17; Micah 4:7-8; Zech. 7:8).

That the governing body of the kingdom so established will be the brethren of Christ, of all generations, developed by resurrection and change, and constituting, with Christ as their head, the collective "seed of Abraham," in whom all nations will be blessed, and comprising "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets,"and all in their age of like faithfulness. (Dan. 12:2; Matt. 25:34,36; Luke 13:28; 14:14; John 5:28-29; 6:39-40; I Thess. 4:15-17; Rev. 11:18).

That a law will be established, which shall go forth to the nations for their "instruction" in righteousness," resulting in the abolition of war to the ends of the earth; and the "filling of the earth with the knowledge of the glory of Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea." (Isa. 2:4; 10:2-5; 42:4; Micah 4:2; Hab. 2:40).

That at the appearing of Christ prior to the establishment of the kingdom, the responsible (faithful and unfaithful), dead and living of both classes, will be summoned before his judgment seat "to be judged according to their works;" and "receive in body according to what they have done, whether it be good or bad." (Rom. 2:5-6,16; 14:10-12; I Cor. 4:5; II Cor. 5:10; II Tim. 4:1; Rev. 11:18).

That the unfaithful will be consigned to shame and "the second death," and the faithful invested with immortality, and exalted to reign with Jesus as joint rulers of the kingdom, co-possessors of the earth, and joint administrators of God's authority among men in everything. (Psa. 37:9,22,29-38; 49:7-9; Prov. 10:25-29; Dan. 7:27; 12:2; Mal. 4:1; Matt. 5:5; 7:26; 8:12; 25:20; Luke 22:29-30; John 10:28; Rom. 2:7; I Cor. 15; 15:51-55; II Cor. 5:1-4; Gal. 1:8; 5:21; I Thess. 2:12; II Thess. 1:8; II Tim. 2:12; Heb. 10:26-28; James 1:12; II Peter 1:11; 2:12; Rev. 3:21; 5:9-10; 21:8).

That the kingdom of God, thus constituted, will continue a thousand years, during which sin and death will continue among the earth's subject-inhabitants, though in a much milder degree than now. (Isa. 65: 20; Ezek. 44:22, 25; I Cor. 15:24,29; Rev. 20:7-9).
That the mission of the kingdom will be to subdue all enemies, and finally death itself, by opening up the way of life to the nations, which they will enter by faith, during the thousand years, and (in reality) at their close. (Isa. 25:6-8; I Cor. 15:24-26; Rev. 20:12-15; 21:4).
That at the close of the thousand years, there will be a general resurrection and judgment, resulting in the final extinction of the wicked, and the immortalization of those who shall have established their title (under the grace of God) to eternal life during the thousand years. (I Cor. 15:24; Rev. 20:11-15).

That the government (in its mediatorial aspect) will then be delivered up by Jesus to the Father, who will manifest Himself as the "All-in-all;" sin and death having been taken out of the way, and the obedient of the race completely restored to the friendship of the Deity. (I Cor. 15:28).
That the Scriptures, composing the book currently known as the Bible, are the only source now extant of knowledge concerning God and His purposes, and that they were given wholly by the unerring inspiration of God in the writers, and that such errors as have since crept in are due to transcription or translation. (Neh. 9:30; John 10:35; I Cor. 2:13; 14:37; II Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1:1; II Peters 1:22).

Furthermore, I assert and affirm that the following are to be rejected:

I reject the doctrine of: The Trinity I believe: That God is not three, but One Father, out of whom are all things - even the Spirit and the Son. (I Cor 8:6; Eph 4:6)

I reject the doctrine of: The "Eternal Sonship" of Christ, and the Free-Life Doctrine We believe: That the Son of God was not co-eternal with the Father, but is the result of the Father's manifestation in the flesh, by the operation of the Holy Spirit upon Mary, in the manner defined in paragraph 7, and that when he so appeared, his life in the flesh was no more a "free life" than that of his brethren whom he came to redeem, but was, "in all points," what theirs was, as his mission (to put away death by death) required, the difference between him and them being that he was without transgression. (Luke 1:35; Matt 1:20; Rom 8:3; Heb 2:14,17; 4:15; 5:9; Ps 21:4)

I reject the doctrine of: The "Third Person in the Godhead." I believe: That the Holy Spirit is not a person, but the vehicular effluence of the Father, filling all space, and forming the medium and instrument of all the Father's operations. (Job 26:13; 33:4 Ps 104:30; Neh 9:30)

I reject the doctrine of: The Immortality of the Soul I believe: That the immortality of the soul is a pagan fiction, subversive of the first law of the Deity's moral government, viz., that the wages of sin is death. (Gen 3:19; Ps 89:48; 30:3; 81:13; Job 33:22; Rom 5:12; 6:23; I Tim 6:16)

I reject the doctrine of: The Theory of Disembodied Existence I believe: That there is no existence in death, conscious or unconscious, and that the popular belief in heaven and hell is a delusion. Therefore -( a) - That the wicked will not suffer eternal torture, but will be engulfed in total destruction after resurrection. - ( b ) - That the righteous will not ascend to kingdoms beyond the skies at death, or at any other time, but will inherit the earth forever. (Ps 6:5; Eccl 9:5,6,10; Ps 44:3-4; Isa 38:18-19; Job 3:13,22; Ps 37:10,20,34; Job 20:5,8; I Thess 1:9-10; Ps 144:20; 104:35; 73:27; Job 21:30; Prov 13:30; Prov 10:30; 11:31; Matt 5:5; Ps 37:9,22; Rev 5:9-10; Dan 7:27)

I reject the doctrine of: A Supernatural Personal Devil I believe: That there is no such thing as a supernatural personal devil, the devil of Scripture being a personification of sin in its several phases and manifestations among men. (Heb 2:14; Acts 5:3-9; Matt 16:23; Rev 2:10,12-13; John 6:70; Rev 12:3,17)

I reject the doctrine of: Ecclesiastical and Sky Kingdoms I believe: That the kingdom of God is not "the church heirarchy," or a region beyond the stars, but a system of things to be established under Christ on earth, in the Holy Land and to encompass the whole earth. (Dan 2:44; 7:13; Jer 23:5; Luke 1:32-33; Amos 9:11; Ezek 37:21,22)

I reject the doctrine of: Three-Fact Gospel I believe: That the Gospel is not the death, burial and resurrection of Christ merely, but "the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ." (Acts 8:12; 28:30-31)

I reject the doctrine of: No Judgment at the Coming of Christ I believe: That the judgment of the saints, at the tribunal of Christ, when he comes, is not a simple allotment of rewards, but a dividing of the faithful from the unfaithful, with reference to the question of life or death. (I Cor 4:5; II Cor 5:10; Rom 2:5-6,16; 2:18; Gal 6:8)

I reject the doctrine of: The "First Resurrection" I believe: That the resurrection at the appearing of Christ, is not confined to the faithful, but extends to all who have made a profession of his name, whether faithful or not. (Rom 14:10,12; II Tim 4:1; Luke 19:15; Dan 12:2)

I reject the doctrine of: Immortal Resurrection I believe: That those thus rising are not in a glorified state, but appear before Christ, in their natural body, to have it decided whether they are worthy of being clothed upon with immortality, or deserving of a return to corruption. (II Cor 5:10; Rom 8:11; II Cor 5:2; I Cor 15:53)

I reject the doctrine of: Immortal Nations in the Millennium I believe: That the subject-nations of the thousand years are not immortal. (Rev 20:6; Isa 65:20; I Cor 15:24-29)

I reject the doctrine of: Judaism and Sabbatarianism I believe: That the law of Moses is not binding in any of its enactments except those retained in the letters of the apostles; and the observance of Sunday, as popularly enjoined, is Scriptural. (Acts 15:23-29; Gal 3:19-24; 5:1-4; Rom 6:14-15; 3:20-22; Col 2:16-17; Rom 14:5-6; Gal 4:9-10)

I reject the doctrine of: Baby "Baptism" and Infant Salvation I believe: That baby sprinkling is an invention of man, and infant salvation is a doctrine opposed to Scripture. (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12; Heb 9:6; Eph 4:17-18)

I reject the doctrine of: Resurrection of Heathens, Those mentally incapable of accepting the gospel, Babies, etc. I believe: That "heathens," the mentally incompetent, pagans, and very young children, will never see the light of resurrection, but pass away as though they had not been: the resurrection being restricted to those who are responsible to the divine law. (Job 3:13-32; 10:18-19; 14:10-12; Isa 26:13-14; Jer 51:39,57; Prov 21:16; Rom 2:12; Ps 49:6-30; John 3:19; 12:48; 15:22-24)

I reject the doctrine of: Salvation without the Gospel I believe: That salvation is impossible without a belief of the gospel, however "moral" a man's life may be. (Gal 2:16; Acts 4:12; Rom 3:23-26; Acts 10:1-2; in connection with 11:14)

I reject the doctrine of: Salvation Without Baptism I believe: That, under the apostolic dispensation salvation is impossible without baptism. (Gal 3:27; I Pet 3:21; Rom 6:3-5)

I reject the doctrine of: The Value of Baptism in a State of Ignorance I believe: That baptism is of no avail in the absence of an understanding and belief of "the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ." (Acts 19:3-5; 8:12; Mark 16:16)

My Standard of Conduct is summarized in the commandments of Christ and his apostles:
Love your enemies; do good to them that hate you. -Matt. 5:44.
Resist not evil; if a man smite thee on one cheek, turn to him the other also. -Matt. 5:39, 40.
Avenge not yourselves; rather give place unto wrath; and suffer yourselves to be defrauded. -Rom. 12:18, 19.
If a man take away thy goods, ask them not again. -Luke 6:29, 30.
Agree with your adversary quickly, submitting even to wrong for the sake of peace. -Matt. 5:25; 1 Cor. 6:7.
Labor not to be rich; be ready to every good work; give to those who ask; relieve the afflicted. -Rom. 12:13; 1 Tim. 6:8; Heb. 13:16; James 1:27.
Do not your alms before men: Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth. -Matt. 6:1-4.
Recompense to no man evil for evil: overcome evil with good. -Rom. 12:17.
Bless them that curse you; let no cursing come out of your mouth. -Matt. 5:44; Rom. 12:14.
Render not evil for evil; overcome evil with good. -Rom 12:17.
Pray for them that despitefully use you and afflict you -Matt. 5:44.
Grudge not; judge not; complain not; condemn not. -Matt. 7:1; James 5:9.
Put away anger, wrath, bitterness, and all evil speaking. -Eph. 4:31; 1 Pet. 2:1.
Confess your faults one to another. -James 5:16.
Be not conformed to this world: love not the world. -Rom. 12:2; 1 John 2:15.
Deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts. If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off. -Matt. 5:30; Titus 2:13.
Servants, be faithful, even to bad masters. -Eph. 6:5-8.
Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. -Rom. 12:16.
Owe no man anything. -Rom. 13:7,8.
In case of sin (known or heard of) speak not of it to others, but tell the offending brother of the matter between thee and him alone, with a view to recovery. -Matt. 18:15; Gal. 6:1.
Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart. -Matt. 22:37.
Pray always; pray with brevity and simplicity; pray secretly. -Matt. 6:5-7; Luke 18:1.
In everything give thanks to God and recognize Him in all your ways. -Prov. 3:6; Eph. 5:20.
As you would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them. -Matt. 7:12.
Take Christ for an example and follow in his steps. -1 Pet. 2:21.
Let Christ dwell in your heart by faith. -Eph. 3:17.
Esteem Christ more highly than all earthly things; yea, than your own life. -Luke 14:26.
Confess Christ freely before men. -Luke 12:8.
Beware lest the cares of life or the allurements of pleasure weaken his hold on your heart. -Luke 21:34.
Love thy neighbor as thyself. -Matt. 22:39.
Exercise lordship over no one. -Matt. 23:11.
Seek not your own welfare only, nor bear your own burdens merely, but have regard to those of others. -Gal. 6:2; Phil. 2:4.
Let your light shine before men; hold forth the word of life. Do good to all men as ye have opportunity .-Matt. 5:16; Gal. 6:10; Phil. 2:16.
Be blameless and harmless, as the sons of God in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. -Phil. 2:15.
Be gentile, meek, kind-hearted, compassionate, merciful, forgiving. -Eph. 4:32; 2 Tim. 2:24; Titus 2:2.
Be sober, grave, sincere, temperate. -Phil. 4:5; 1 Pet. 1:13; 5:8.
Speak the truth every man with his neighbor; put away all lying. -Eph. 4:25.
Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as unto the Lord, and not unto men. -Col. 3:23.
Be watchful, vigilant, brave, joyful, courteous, and manly. -1 Cor. 16:13; Phil. 4:4; 1 Thess. 5:6-10.
Be clothed with humility; be patient toward all. -Rom. 12:12; Col. 3:12 .
Follow peace with all men. -Heb. 12:14.
Sympathize in the joys and sorrows of others. -Rom. 12:15.
Follow after whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseful. -Phil. 4:8.
Refrain utterly from adultery, fornication, uncleanness, drunkenness, covetousness, wrath, strife, sedition, hatred, emulation, boasting, vain-glory, envy, jesting, and foolish talking. -Eph. 5:3,4.
Whatever you do, consider the effect of your action on the honor of God's name among men. Do all to the glory of God. -1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17.
Reckon yourselves dead to all manner of sin. Henceforth live not to yourselves, but to him who died for you, and rose again. -Rom. 6:11; 2 Cor. 5:15.
Be zealous of good works, always abounding in the work of the Lord, wearying not in well doing. -Gal. 6:9; Titus 2:14.
Speak evil of no man. -Titus 3:2.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. -Col. 3:16.
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt. -Col. 3:8; 4:6.
Obey rulers; submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake. -Titus 3:1.
Be holy in all manner of conversation. -1 Pet. 1:15, 16.
Give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. -1 Tim. 5:14.