GOD'S WORD
We believe that the books of the Old and New Testaments are truly inspired by the Holy Spirit¹. They contain God’s revelation for all humanity and are the only source of true knowledge about Him. They also provide the principles and guidance for how we should believe and live². The Old Testament contains 39 books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. The New Testament contains 27 books: The four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; Acts of the Apostles; the fourteen letters of Paul—Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews; the Letter of James; 1 & 2 Peter; 1, 2 & 3 John; Jude; and Revelation.

GOD
We believe there is only one living, true, and eternal God³—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit⁴—perfect in His nature and attributes, eternal and indivisible⁵. The Father is the true, eternal God⁶. The Son is the true, eternal God⁷. The Holy Spirit is the true, eternal God⁸. Yet we do not believe in three gods, but in one eternal, almighty⁹, all-wise¹⁰, all-knowing¹¹, and ever-present¹² God. This God can only be known through His own revelation in Holy Scripture, with the help of the Holy Spirit¹³.

   Humanity and Sin
We believe that the first man was created by God in His own image¹⁴—that is, good, holy, and innocent¹⁵—able to worship Him, live in fellowship with Him, and be truly happy¹⁶. But, deceived by Satan, humanity sinned¹⁷, turned away from God, lost the likeness of its Creator, and immediately fell into a state of death in both body and soul¹⁸. Since all people descend from Adam, they have inherited his sinful and thoroughly corrupt nature. Every person is conceived and born in sin¹⁹, as a child of wrath²⁰, without ability or desire to do true good, but inclined and capable only of evil²¹.

Redemption through Jesus Christ
We believe that God could save humanity from the dreadful consequences of sin only by fully satisfying His holy justice²². For this purpose, God appointed His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as a propitiatory sacrifice from eternity²³. When the appointed time came, Christ, the Son of the living God, was born into the world in the likeness of sinful flesh²⁴, combining His eternal deity with true humanity²⁵—that is, a real human soul and body²⁶—yet entirely pure and without sin²⁷. In Him, neither in heart nor in outward life, was there ever any sin. Jesus’ obedience was both active—when He fulfilled the whole law of God for us²⁸—and passive—when He offered His body and soul for us in sacrifice²⁹, bearing our curse³⁰, the wrath of God, and the penalty for our sins³¹. We believe that the perfect and complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ³² is the only basis of our eternal salvation³³. Through it we receive forgiveness of sins³⁴, are justified³⁵, and clothed in His righteousness³⁶. Through Him we are delivered from the power of death, the devil, and hell³⁷, and receive eternal life³⁸. Through Christ’s redemption we are also given the power to hate sin and die to it, so that we begin to love what is good and live in holiness³⁹. After accomplishing this redemption⁴⁰, on the third day Christ rose from the dead⁴¹, ascended into heaven⁴², and sat down at the right hand of God’s glory⁴³. From there He sent the Holy Spirit⁴⁴, who urges us to receive the benefits of redemption by faith⁴⁵. As our great High Priest, Jesus intercedes for us before the Father⁴⁶. At the same time, He remains with us always, even to the end of the age⁴⁷, and will one day bring us into heaven, where He has prepared a dwelling place for us⁴⁸.

Salvation
We believe that God desires every person to be saved⁴⁹. Therefore, it is the duty of all people to receive, through sincere and obedient faith in Jesus Christ, the gift of salvation. Only persistent sin, unwillingness to repent, and refusal to submit to Christ can prevent a sinner from being saved⁵⁰. In this matter, each individual bears personal responsibility before God⁵¹.

New Birth and the Holy Spirit
We believe and confess that only through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God⁵² can a person be awakened from spiritual death and brought to a knowledge of sin. When a person truly begins to repent⁵³ and, in a sense of guilt, turns to Christ⁵⁴, through faith in Him they immediately receive forgiveness of sins and justification before God⁵⁵. By this work of the Holy Spirit, a person is born again⁵⁶ to a living hope and is then able to live a new life⁵⁷.

Sanctification
We believe and confess that those who are born again by the Holy Spirit are made holy in Jesus Christ⁵⁸. Through the ongoing work of the indwelling Spirit of Christ, believers are enabled to resist temptation, which still confronts them, and to obey God by offering their bodies as a living, holy, and pleasing sacrifice⁵⁹. Sanctification begins at the moment of new birth and continues to grow throughout life⁶⁰. Its goal is the complete transformation of a believer’s character into the likeness of Jesus Christ. For our sanctification God has given us such means as His Word, prayer, and fellowship with the saints⁶¹. We believe that the law of God is holy, righteous, and good. It reveals sin and leads people to Christ⁶². For all who are outside of Christ, the law still stands in its commandments and condemnation. But believers in Christ have been redeemed from its curse and penalty, for they now live under the law of Christ⁶³.

Baptism
On the basis of the New Testament, we believe that the baptism established by Christ is to be practiced in the church until His return⁶⁴. Baptism is given to those who confess their faith in Jesus Christ. It is administered by a minister authorized for this purpose, who baptizes the believer once by immersion in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit⁶⁵. In this way, God’s command is carried out⁶⁶ and its original, profound meaning preserved⁶⁷. Scripture clearly describes the character of those who are to receive baptism: people of all nations who, under the influence of the Gospel and the free grace of God, have turned from their sins to Christ and believe in Him with all their heart as their personal Savior⁶⁸. Baptism is the first expression of faith in Christ and love for Him, the first step of obedience to the Lord⁶⁹, and an act of joining His church⁷⁰. It is a solemn declaration and confession of the converted sinner⁷¹, who has come to recognize the horror of sin and their condemned state⁷², and who now places all hope in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ⁷³, trusting Him as the One who has delivered them from the curse and penalty of sin⁷⁴. With body and soul, the believer gives themselves to Christ, receiving His righteousness and strength⁷⁵. From then on, the old sinful nature dies, and the desire arises to live a new life with Christ⁷⁶. Baptism is also God’s solemn declaration and assurance that, through baptism, the believer is hidden in Christ Jesus⁷⁷—dying, being buried, and rising with Him⁷⁸—and that their sins have been washed away⁷⁹. They have become God’s beloved child, in whom the Father delights⁸⁰. Baptism should awaken in the baptized person a clear and strong awareness of salvation⁸¹, which God Himself confirms by sealing them with the Holy Spirit⁸². Baptism can be received only once, whereas other means of grace may be renewed and repeated throughout the Christian life. For this reason, we must carefully ensure that baptism is carried out properly.

The Lord's Supper
We believe that Jesus Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper for His church, so that His followers, by breaking and eating the bread and drinking the cup, might spiritually partake of His body and blood⁸³. In this way, until His return, they proclaim His death⁸⁴. By participating in this remembrance, believers are freshly reminded of the bitter suffering and death of their Savior, and are once again made aware that, as a congregation, they are His holy body. We affirm that this ordinance of Christ must be observed in an apostolic manner⁸⁵. Since participation in the Lord’s Supper requires prior self-examination, it is reserved only for those who, by God’s grace, belong to Him and have received baptism⁸⁶.

The Church
We believe and confess, according to Scripture, that all true Christians together form the one Body of Christ⁸⁷. We also believe that, in keeping with the will of the Lord Jesus and the instructions of the apostles, all believers have the duty of joining themselves into congregations for closer fellowship—what Scripture calls the communion of the saints⁸⁸. Churches are voluntary communities of baptized disciples of Jesus, separated from the world⁸⁹ and submitted to the will of Christ. Their purpose is to encourage one another toward holy living, to spread God’s Kingdom on earth, and to glorify Christ.

Leadership in the Church The only and highest head of the church is Jesus Christ⁹⁰. The church has no visible earthly head. The New Testament recognizes only two offices within the local congregation: the office of elder (also called presbyter⁹¹ or overseer/bishop⁹²) and the office of deacon. The church itself chooses its elders (also called preachers, bishops, teachers, overseers, or pastors—all names for the same office) and deacons (servants). These officers are appointed through the laying on of hands by the elders (ordination). They must display the qualities required by Scripture⁹³ and carry out their duties in accordance with the commands of the New Testament. Like all other members of the congregation, leaders are subject to church discipline (with consideration of the guidance in 1 Timothy 5:19)⁹⁴.

 Duties of Church Members The duties of church members include sincere love for one another⁹⁵, active participation in seeking the spiritual and physical well-being of all⁹⁶, faithful use of God’s gracious gifts, and keeping the commandments Christ has given to His church as its Head⁹⁷. Every member is also responsible to take part in the Lord’s Supper, to attend the gatherings of the church regularly, and, as much as possible, to contribute to the building of God’s Kingdom⁹⁸.

Church Order and Membership All church matters are decided in members’ meetings⁹⁹, where every member has equal rights¹⁰⁰. All matters should be conducted in the spirit of Jesus Christ¹⁰¹, with freedom and order preserved in the household of God¹⁰². Reception of Members New members are received through baptism and the vote of the congregation, after an examination of their spiritual condition and a confession of their faith¹⁰³. Whenever possible, such votes should be unanimous.

Church Discipline The command of Christ in Matthew 18:15–17 applies to every member of the church¹⁰⁴. Therefore, each member should in love accept brotherly admonition, and when necessary, in love also give it to others. The church has both the right and the duty to exclude and remove from membership those whose lives contradict their confession of faith, who refuse to be moved to heartfelt, public repentance and a firm decision to change, and who persist in their sins. Members who commit serious sins that cause public scandal, or who repeat them so often that their word can no longer be trusted, must—regardless of any promise of repentance—be firmly removed from the church¹⁰⁵. A person who has been excluded may be received back in the same way as any new member—by a congregational vote following a sincere confession of faith¹⁰⁶.

The Lord’s Day
We believe and confess that the practice of setting apart one day in the week comes from the will of our gracious Creator¹⁰⁷ and was established for the good of humanity. For the nation of Israel, God gave the seventh day as the Sabbath¹⁰⁸, a sign of His covenant with them¹⁰⁹. But as believers of the new covenant, following the example of the first Christians¹¹⁰, we keep the first day of the week as especially consecrated to the Lord. God Himself set this day apart through the resurrection of His Son and the sending of the Holy Spirit. During six days we are to faithfully carry out our daily callings, but on Sunday we devote ourselves fully to God and rest from all work that is not necessary or required by love for our neighbor¹¹¹. The Lord’s Day is to be used for knowing God more deeply, cultivating true godliness, strengthening fellowship with other believers, and building the Kingdom of God on earth¹¹². On this day, we are called to read Scripture more often, to teach it to our children, and to gather faithfully for worship. This day is a precious gift of God¹¹³, essential for the life of the Christian church.

Marriage
We believe and confess that God established marriage as a union between one man and one woman¹¹⁴, who are to support one another physically and morally¹¹⁵ in the raising of their children¹¹⁶. As long as both spouses live, the husband may not take another wife, nor the wife another husband¹¹⁷. Since marriage is also a civil institution, it should be entered into in accordance with the laws of the state¹¹⁸. At the same time, a church wedding should also be celebrated. We hold that marriages ought to be entered into by those who are devoted to the Lord¹¹⁹. We believe that divorce for reasons not in harmony with God’s Word, and remarriage after such divorce, are not permitted according to the New Testament¹²⁰. In the case of adultery or malicious abandonment by a spouse, however, we believe that divorce is permissible according to God’s Word.

Civil Authority
We believe and confess that God has established civil authority, giving it the responsibility to protect those who do good and to punish evildoers¹²¹. We recognize our duty to show obedience to all its laws¹²², provided they do not restrict our freedom to carry out our Christian responsibilities¹²³. By living quiet and godly lives, we seek to make it easier for the authorities to fulfill their tasks. On the basis of Scripture, we also regard it as our duty to pray for those in authority¹²⁴, that they may use their power in accordance with God’s will, to preserve peace and justice. We believe that swearing oaths is clearly forbidden by our Lord Jesus Christ¹²⁵ and His apostles¹²⁶. Therefore, when necessary, while taking full responsibility for the truthfulness of our testimony, we confirm it with the Gospel formula: “Yes, yes” or “No, no.” We also believe, according to God’s Word, that representatives of civil authority do not bear the sword in vain. They have the right and duty to punish criminals and to use the sword in defense of the nation¹²⁷. Therefore, in times of war, it is our duty to make ourselves available to our country if the authorities call upon us. Yet, we also believe no one should be forced against conscience if they are sincerely convinced that they cannot, in good conscience, bear arms. Finally, we see no obstacle of conscience to believers holding positions of authority within civil government.

The Last Things
We believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth¹²⁸ with great power and glory¹²⁹. The day of His appearing will mark the completion of redemption¹³⁰, a reality of eternal significance before which the whole world will stand in awe¹³¹. Those who have fallen asleep in Christ will be raised in imperishable glory¹³². Believers who are still alive will suddenly be transformed and, together with the resurrected saints, will be caught up to meet the Lord. From then on, we will always be with Him, seeing Him as He truly is, being made like Him, and reigning with Him in His Kingdom¹³³. We also believe in the general resurrection¹³⁴ and the judgment of the world¹³⁵, when all people must stand before Christ as Judge and give account for their lives in the body. First, the Son of God will grant eternal glory to His redeemed¹³⁶, and then He will pronounce eternal condemnation upon the ungodly¹³⁷. We believe, according to Scripture, that both eternal life and eternal punishment are everlasting realities¹³⁸. We also believe that certain signs of the times point to the nearness of the end of this present age. Remembering the words of our Lord, who said, “Yes, I am coming quickly”, we prayerfully wait for Him and say: *“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”*¹³⁹

References: ¹ References to inspiration: 2 Timothy 3:16; Exodus 19:9; 2 Samuel 23:1–2; Isaiah 1:2; Jeremiah 1:9; John 10:35; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Hebrews 1:1–2; Luke 10:16; Matthew 10:20; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:4–5, 13. ² References to authority and guidance: 2 Peter 1:19; Psalm 119:105; Luke 16:29, 31; 2 Timothy 3:15, 17; John 5:39; Acts 17:11; Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 14:37; Galatians 1:8; Romans 16:25–26; Revelation 22:18. ³ Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:4, 6; Titus 2:5 ⁴ Matthew 28:19; Genesis 1:26; 3:22; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 3:16–17; John 14:16; 2 Corinthians 13:13; 1 John 5:7 ⁵ 1 John 2:23; John 10:30; John 4:7, 10 ⁶ Ephesians 4:6; Matthew 6:9 ⁷ Romans 9:5; John 1:1–14; John 20:28; 1 John 5:20; Hebrews 1:8–10; Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 23:5–6; John 5:23 ⁸ 1 Corinthians 2:11; Acts 5:3–4; 2 Corinthians 3:17–18; Genesis 1:2; Psalm 33:6; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 12:11; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Peter 4:14 ⁹ Psalm 90:2; Exodus 5:14; 1 Timothy 1:17; Revelation 4:8; Genesis 17:1 ¹⁰ Romans 16:27; Romans 11:33–34; Isaiah 40:28 ¹¹ Acts 15:18; Hebrews 4:13; Psalm 139:2–4 ¹² Jeremiah 23:24; Psalm 139:7–10 ¹³ 1 Corinthians 1:21; 2:14; John 14:26; Matthew 11:25, 27; Romans 10:17 ¹⁴ Genesis 1:27 ¹⁵ Ecclesiastes 7:29; Genesis 1:31 ¹⁶ Genesis 2:25; 3:8 ¹⁷ Genesis 3:13; Revelation 20:2; John 8:44 ¹⁸ Genesis 2:17; Matthew 8:22; Ephesians 2:1; Romans 8:6; Romans 6:23; Colossians 2:13 ¹⁹ Psalm 51:7; Psalm 58:4 ²⁰ Ephesians 2:3 ²¹ Romans 8:7; Genesis 8:21; Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:21–22; Luke 24:25; Mark 16:14; Romans 3:10–12 ²² Hebrews 9:22; 10:5–6 ²³ 1 Peter 1:20 ²⁴ Romans 8:3; Galatians 4:4; Matthew 16:16; 3:17 ²⁵ Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Romans 1:3–4 ²⁶ Matthew 26:38; Hebrews 2:14; 1 Timothy 2:5 ²⁷ John 8:46; 1 Peter 2:22; Hebrews 4:15 ²⁸ Matthew 5:17; Galatians 4:4; Romans 10:4; 5:19; Psalm 40:8–9; Matthew 20:28; Isaiah 41:21 ²⁹ Isaiah 53:4; Hebrews 5:8; Philippians 2:8; Luke 22:19; Psalm 22:15–16; Isaiah 53:11; Matthew 26:38; Luke 22:44; Hebrews 9:28; 9:14, 26; 10:12, 14 ³⁰ Galatians 3:13 ³¹ Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 27:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 53 ³² Hebrews 9:12; Isaiah 45:17 ³³ Hebrews 5:9; Isaiah 53:5 ³⁴ Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Matthew 26:28; Acts 20:28 ³⁵ Romans 3:24; 5:1 ³⁶ Isaiah 61:10; Jeremiah 23:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Daniel 9:24 ³⁷ 1 Corinthians 15:26, 54–55; John 6:40; Genesis 3:15; Colossians 1:13; 2:15; 1 John 3:8; Hebrews 2:14–15; Ephesians 4:8; 1 Thessalonians 1:10 ³⁸ 1 John 5:11–12; John 11:25–26; 3:36; 10:28; 2 Timothy 1:10 ³⁹ Titus 2:14; Romans 6:14; 1 John 3:3; Acts 15:9; Philippians 4:13; 2:13; Romans 7:21–22 ⁴⁰ John 19:30 ⁴¹ Acts 2:32; Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20 ⁴² Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9 ⁴³ Mark 16:19; Hebrews 1:3; 8:1 ⁴⁴ Acts 2:4; John 15:26; 16:8–14 ⁴⁵ Acts 16:14; Romans 5:5; 8:14; John 16:13–14; Galatians 5:5 ⁴⁶ Hebrews 4:14; 1 John 2:1 ⁴⁷ Matthew 28:20 ⁴⁸ John 14:3; 17:24 ⁴⁹ John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:4; Ezekiel 33:11 ⁵⁰ Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9 ⁵¹ Romans 14:12 ⁵² Hebrews 4:12; Acts 2:37; Isaiah 55:10–11 ⁵³ 2 Corinthians 7:10 ⁵⁴ John 6:37; Matthew 11:28; Acts 4:12; John 14:6 ⁵⁵ Romans 3:24–25; Acts 26:17 ⁵⁶ Romans 8:16–17; John 6:33; 3:3, 5–6; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; Galatians 6:15; John 1:13; Acts 16:14; Ephesians 5:8 ⁵⁷ 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:8 ⁵⁸ 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 7; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15–16; Matthew 7:16; John 15:2; Romans 6:2, 14, 22; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 1:4; 2:10; Titus 2:11–12; Hebrews 12:1; Ephesians 4:22–24; Colossians 3:5–10 ⁵⁹ Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 John 1:8–9; Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:21; Galatians 5:17; Philippians 3:12; 1 John 3:3 ⁶⁰ Ephesians 4:15; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:23–24; 2 Thessalonians 3:5; 1 John 4:19; 5:3 ⁶¹ 1 John 1:7; John 8:31; 2 Thessalonians 5:17; Acts 2:42; 4:32; Ephesians 4:3; Daniel 9:18; Romans 3:27–28; 4:4–8; 1 Corinthians 9:24–27; 2 Peter 1:2–11 ⁶² Galatians 3:24; Romans 3:19–20; Romans 10:4; 5:13; 7:7; Galatians 3:10; 1 Timothy 1:8–10 ⁶³ Romans 8:3–4; Galatians 4:4–5; Matthew 5:17; Galatians 3:24–26 ⁶⁴ Matthew 28:19–20 ⁶⁵ Matthew 3:13–15; Mark 1:9; Matthew 3:16; John 3:23; Acts 8:36–39 ⁶⁶ Ephesians 4:5; Romans 6:5 ⁶⁷ Colossians 2:12–13 ⁶⁸ Mark 16:16; Acts 2:37–38, 41; 5:14; 8:12; 18:8; Galatians 3:26–27; Acts 10:42–48; 16:13–15, 30, 34; Matthew 3:1–9; Mark 1:5; Luke 3:3; Acts 13:24 ⁶⁹ Acts 2:38, 41; 9:6; 22:16; John 15:10, 14; Mark 16:16 ⁷⁰ 1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 2:47 ⁷¹ 1 Peter 3:21; Hebrews 10:22–23; 4:14 ⁷² Acts 2:36–37; 9:5–6, 9; 16:29–30; Matthew 3:6 ⁷³ Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3, 8; 2 Corinthians 5:14 ⁷⁴ Romans 6:23, 10–11; Isaiah 53:5; Acts 8:35 ⁷⁵ Galatians 3:26–27; Isaiah 45:23–24 ⁷⁶ Romans 6:4–6 ⁷⁷ Romans 6:3 ⁷⁸ Romans 6:4, 8; Colossians 2:12–13 ⁷⁹ Acts 9:9; 22:12–13, 16; Acts 2:38 ⁸⁰ Matthew 3:17; Ephesians 1:5–6 ⁸¹ 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 8:39; 9:18–20; Acts 16:31–34; Romans 6:3–11 ⁸² Matthew 3:16; Hebrews 1:9; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22; Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:13 ⁸³ Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:21–24; Luke 22:17–20 ⁸⁴ 1 Corinthians 11:23–28 ⁸⁵ Acts 2:42, 46; Acts 20:7 ⁸⁶ 1 Corinthians 10:16–17, 21; 12:13 ⁸⁷ Ephesians 1:22–23; Matthew 18:20; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Matthew 16:18; 18:17; 28:19–20; John 4:23–24; 17:20–21 ⁸⁸ 1 Peter 2:5 ⁸⁹ 2 Corinthians 6:16–17; Ephesians 2:19–22; Revelation 2:7; Acts 1:41, 46–47; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; 16:1, 19; 2 Corinthians 8:1; Galatians 1:2, 22; Acts 2:41–47; Ephesians 4:3, 16; Colossians 2:18–19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11–23; Acts 14:23; 15:41; 16:5; Romans 16:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 11:16; 14:34; 16:1, 19; 2 Corinthians 8:1; 11:28; Galatians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 4:15–16; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Philemon 2; Revelation 1:11 ⁹⁰ Colossians 1:18; Matthew 20:25–27; 23:8; Ephesians 4:15 ⁹¹ Acts 14:23; 13:3; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5; Acts 6:6; 1 Timothy 4:14; 5:22 ⁹² 1 Timothy 3:1–7 ⁹³ Titus 1:6–9; Acts 20:28, 31 ⁹⁴ Hebrews 13:17; James 3:1; 2 Timothy 4:2, 5; 2:15; 1 Corinthians 4:1–2; Luke 10:7–8; Acts 6:1–4; 1 Timothy 3:8–11; Matthew 7:15; Romans 16:17–18; Galatians 1:8–9; 1 Timothy 6:3–5; 1 John 4:1; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 11–13; 9:7–12; Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17–18 ⁹⁵ John 13:34–35 ⁹⁶ 1 Peter 1:22; Hebrews 10:25; John 15:12, 17; Romans 12:15; Galatians 5:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 1 John 2:4; 3:11, 16–18; 2 John 6 ⁹⁷ Acts 2:42; Psalm 26:8; 27:4; 84:1; 116:18; 122:1 ⁹⁸ 1 Corinthians 16:1–2; 2 Corinthians 9:6–8; Philippians 4:10, 15; 2 Corinthians 8 ⁹⁹ Acts 15:22–25 ¹⁰⁰ Matthew 23:8, 11 ¹⁰¹ 1 Corinthians 14:33, 40 ¹⁰² Colossians 2:5; Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter 5:5; Matthew 18:18 ¹⁰³ 1 Timothy 6:12; Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9–10; Hebrews 4:14 ¹⁰⁴ Matthew 18:15–17 ¹⁰⁵ 1 Corinthians 5:3–13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; Titus 3:10–11; 1 Timothy 1:19–20 ¹⁰⁶ 2 Corinthians 2:6–8; 1 Timothy 6:3–5 ¹⁰⁷ Genesis 2:1–3 ¹⁰⁸ Exodus 20:8–11 ¹⁰⁹ Exodus 31:13–17; Revelation 1:10 ¹¹⁰ Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1–2 ¹¹¹ Mark 2:27 ¹¹² Colossians 2:16–17 ¹¹³ Psalm 118:22–24; Acts 4:10–11 ¹¹⁴ Genesis 1:27–28; 1 Corinthians 7:2–9; Ephesians 5:22–23; Hebrews 13:4 ¹¹⁵ Genesis 2:18 ¹¹⁶ Genesis 2:24 ¹¹⁷ 1 Corinthians 7:39; Genesis 6:1–3; Joshua 23:12–13; 1 Kings 11:1–8; Ezra 9–10; Nehemiah 13:23–28; 1 Corinthians 7:10–16; 9:5–6 ¹¹⁸ 1 Peter 2:13 ¹¹⁹ Colossians 3:17; Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 4:3–5 ¹²⁰ Matthew 19:6–9; 1 Corinthians 7:10–11, 27; Romans 7:1–4; Luke 14:26; 18:29–30 ¹²¹ Romans 13:1–7; Genesis 9:6; Deuteronomy 16:18 ¹²² 1 Peter 2:13–14, 17; Titus 3:1; Matthew 22:21 ¹²³ Acts 4:19–20; 5:29, 42 ¹²⁴ 1 Timothy 2:1–3 ¹²⁵ Matthew 5:34, 37 ¹²⁶ James 5:12 ¹²⁷ Romans 13:4 ¹²⁸ Acts 1:10–11; 1 Corinthians 1:7–8; James 5:7–8; Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 2:28; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:16; 1 Peter 1:7–9; 5:4; Zechariah 14:4–5; Matthew 16:27; 25:31; 1 Corinthians 11:26; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 18:3, 11; 22:7; Psalm 16:10; 17:15; 49:16; 73:24; Philippians 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:19; 2 Peter 3:13 ¹²⁹ Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:30; Luke 21:27–28; Isaiah 24:23; Zechariah 14:9; Romans 14:10–11; Philippians 2:9–11; Revelation 1:15, 17 ¹³⁰ Colossians 3:4; Romans 8:23; John 17:24; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 19:6–9; 21:9–27 ¹³¹ John 5:28–29; 1 Corinthians 15:16–20, 23; Revelation 20:4; 22:5; 5:10; Daniel 12:2; Acts 24:15; Job 19:25–27; Isaiah 25:8; 26:19; Ezekiel 37:1–14; Hosea 13:14; John 6:40, 54; Romans 4:17; 2 Corinthians 4:14 ¹³² 1 Corinthians 15:42–43, 53; Philippians 3:21; Acts 17:30–31; Revelation 20:11–13 ¹³³ 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 ¹³⁴ 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ecclesiastes 11:14; Matthew 25:34, 41; Romans 2:5–16; 14:10–12; 2 Peter 2:9; Revelation 6:16–17; 14:13; 20:15; 22:12 ¹³⁵ Matthew 25:46; 3:12 ¹³⁶ Matthew 25:10–12 ¹³⁷ Mark 9:43–48; Luke 13:25–28; 2 Thessalonians 1:8–9; Revelation 14:11; 20:10, 15; Luke 16:24–26; Hebrews 9:27 ¹³⁸ Matthew 19:6–9; Romans 7:1–4 ¹³⁹ Revelation 22:20