Confession on Sin, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

As the third installment of Systematic Theology is quickly approaching, I wanted to share my previous confession form Sys Theo II with you.

It's been almost a year since this intentional theological journey started. I remember the first class throwing my head into such a spin that I spent the next night tracking down drink ingredients. It actually still makes me laugh. It's funny to be able to compare how different my life is a year from that point. The growth of the last year has been exhausting at points, surprising, frustrating...wanting to give up all over again...knowing I could never fully give up. God has been faithful and I am grateful.

The topics covered in this next class are actually the reason why I took the two prerequisites: salvation, forgiveness, and baptism. I'm excited to see growth/understanding in these areas. Unlike last year, I'm fully ready and excited to wrestle with these teachings!

Confession on Humanity and Sin

HUMANITY

I believe creation was set in motion by the will and word of God. God created the world out of nothing. He spoke and formed that which did not exist before. God purposely created the world for his pleasure and good will, though he did not have to. Creation fulfills this purpose when it glorifies the creator. (Gen. 1 & 2; Is. 45:18; Ps. 19:1; Col 1:16; Rev 4:11 )

I believe God’s creation is valuable, because it has been made by him. He has declared his creation good. Therefore, I believe we are doing the will of God when we participate in and care for creation. (Gen. 1)

I believe God created humanity in his image and likeness. As image bearers he has set us apart and given us the capacity for free will, intelligence, and emotions. In his likeness we were instilled with the ability to recognize and adhere to the morality of God, with the purpose of living in loving relationship with God and others, while taking care of the earth. (Gen 1:27; Gen. 9:6; Ps. 139:14-16; Jm. 3:9)

I believe humans were created from and are meant for the earth. Out of dust God fashioned the first man and placed him on earth to thrive. Our everlastingl home will be on a fully restored earth. (Gen. 1:27-30; Gen. 2:7-8; Rev 21:1-4)

I believe humans are made of two parts: body and soul. These two are meant to work as an integrated whole. Though death will one day separate the two, the hope is that the both will be reunited in the future. (Is. 26:9; Lk. 1:46-47; Ph. 1:21-24)

SIN

I believe sin is active rebellion against God. Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, who placed themselves in a position to decide what was right and wrong when they willfully disobeyed God’s command to not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This initial sin caused the peace of God’s will to be broken. The consequence of this brokenness is death, which touches every part of creation. (Gen. 3; Ps. 14:2-3; Rm. 3:23)

I believe Adam’s original rebellion caused human to be born polluted by sin. From Adam’s sin all of humanity was corrupted. We no longer have the ability to fully reflect the image of God or act within his moral will. Every human seeks independence from God and therefore shares in Adam’s guilt. (Gen. 3; Rm. 5:12-14; 1 Cor. 15:21-22; 1 Jn. 1:8-10)

I believe sin prevents society from being what God intended it to be. We have some capacity to work toward good, but are unable to restore our relationship to God, others, and creation, to their pre-fall states. (Rom 3:12)

I believe the consequences of sin extend to the earth and animal kingdom. In this way, death entered the world through disease, natural disasters, and violence in animals. (Rm. 8:20-22)

I believe that God instilled common grace as a way to preserve and promote redemption for his creation. Humans are able to do good acts, though not to their full extent. (Gen. 20:6; Matt. 5:45; Rm. 13:1-5; Heb. 1:2-3)

Confession on the Son

I believe God the Father chose to rescue humanity from sin by sending his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, in human form. (Jn. 3:16-21)

I believe Jesus is a single person who is fully divine and fully human; he possesses all of the characteristics of God and of perfect humanity, including a body and a soul. Because of his fully human nature Jesus could have sinned, but his moral will prevented him from doing so. Jesus’ oneness and two natures cannot be confused, changed, divided or separated without losing aspects of both. (Jn. 1:1, 14, Heb.

2:14-18)

I believe through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, he paid the penalty for sin which humanity could not. He fulfilled this work to bring about restoration between God and creation. These acts freed humanity from sin, removed Satan’s control and conquered death. (Heb. 4:14-15; 10:1-18; Rom. 3:25-26, 6; 1 Jn 3:8)

I believe that by example and word, Jesus showed us how to obey the will of God. He lived a life of sinlessness. His teachings illuminate truth, call us to obedience, and speak of God’s love. (Rom. 5:12-21)

I believe Jesus willingly went to the cross to take the punishment for all human rebellion. This act restores peace between God and creation and allows us to stand before God without shame or guilt. (Rom. 5:1-2; Gal. 4:4-8)

I believe Jesus rose from the dead. Through his resurrection, he conquered death and the hold Satan had on humanity. Because of his resurrection we are declared to be right before God. (Jn. 20; Rom. 4:25; Col. 2:13-15; 1 Cor. 15)

I believe Jesus ascended and is seated in Heaven. He speaks to God on our behalf, sends the Holy Spirit to guide us, and rules over the entire world. (Acts 1:9; Heb. 2:1-18; 7:23-25)

I believe God loves humanity and desires for us to be brought back to right relationship with him. It is through Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension that we may be rescued from our rebellion. These acts are sufficient for all and effective for everyone who will accept and believe the works of Jesus. (1 Tim. 2:4-6, 4:9-10)

Confession on the Holy Spirit

I believe the Holy Spirit is a distinct and equal member of the Trinity. He has both personal characteristics, such as intelligence, will, and emotions, as well as divine characteristics; he is all-knowing, all-powerful and eternal. The Holy Spirit accomplishes the will of the Trinity in cooperation with the Father and the Son. (Jn. 14:26; 1 Cor. 12:11; Eph 4:30; Acts 5:3-4; Matt. 12:31; Mark 3:29; Rom. 8:26; Jn. 16:8)

I believe the Holy Spirit is the means by which God governs and sustains creation. His presence is seen in the Old Testament through creation, the empowerment of saint, and the theme of salvation. (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; Ps. 104:29-30; Is 32:15; 1 Sam. 16-13)

I believe the Holy Spirit participated in God’s redemptive act through the life of Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit Jesus was conceived, empowered at his baptism, guided in the wilderness to be tempted, taught in power, offered himself as a sacrifice, and rose from the dead. (Lk 2:52; Matt. 3:16; Lk. 3:22; Mark 1:12; Mark 1:8; Lk 4:14; Matt. 12:25-32)

I believe the Holy Spirit, at Pentecost, established a new covenant and a new people of God, the Church. (1 Cor 12:13, Acts 2:38)

I believe the Holy Spirit brings individuals into new life at the moment of salvation. He enables us to live the mission of the Church, gives us knowledge to discern Scripture, guides us into holy living, seals us into the body of Christ, and gives us individual gifts to serve the Church. Through the Holy Spirit’s work, indwelt believers can participate with God’s redemption of the world. (Titus 3:5; Eph. 5:18; 1 Cor. 6:12-20; 2:10-16; Eph. 6:18; Gal. 5:16-26; Eph. 1:13-14; Eph. 4:11, Rom. 12:6-8, 1 Pet. 4:11, 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28)