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AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
The doctrinal basis of the
International Church of Torino shall be the fundamental truths of Christianity,
as revealed in Holy Scripture, including:
1. GOD
There is one God, who exists
eternally in three distinct but equal persons: the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit. God is unchangeable in his holiness, justice, wisdom and
love. He is the almighty Creator, Saviour and Judge who sustains and governs
all things according to his sovereign will for his own glory.
God – unity & trinity:
Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 86:10; Isaiah 44:6; 1 Corinthians 8:4; James 2:19;
Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; John14:16-17; 2
Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2
God’s character:
Malachi 3:6; Leviticus 11:44-45; Deuteronomy 32:4; Romans 11:33-34; 1 John
4:7-8
God’s actions:
Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16; Isaiah 45:21-22; 1 Timothy 1:1;
Psalm 98:9; James 4:12
2. THE BIBLE
God has revealed himself
in the Bible, which consists of the Old and New Testaments alone. Every
word was inspired by God through human authors, so that the Bible as originally
given is in its entirety the Word of God, without error and fully reliable
in fact and doctrine. The Bible alone speaks with final authority and is
always sufficient for all matters of belief and practice.
Exodus 24:3-4, 12; Luke 1:1-4;
1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-13; 1 Peter 1:10-11;
2 Peter 1:16-21
3. THE HUMAN RACE
All men and women, being
created in the image of God, have inherent and equal dignity and worth.
Their greatest purpose is to obey, worship and love God. As a result of
the fall of our first parents, every aspect of human nature has been corrupted
and all men and women are without spiritual life, guilty sinners and hostile
to God. Every person is therefore under the just condemnation of God and
needs to be born again, forgiven and reconciled to God in order to know
and please him.
Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 8;
Mark 12:28-31; Genesis 3; Mark 7:20-23; Romans 3:9-23; 5:12; 8:7-8; Ephesians
2:1-3; John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
4. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
The Lord Jesus Christ is
fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a
virgin, and lived a sinless life in obedience to the Father. He taught
with authority and all his words are true. On the cross he died in the
place of sinners, bearing God's punishment for their sin, redeeming them
by his blood. He rose from the dead and in his resurrection body ascended
into heaven where he is exalted as Lord of all. He intercedes for his people
in the presence of the Father.
Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:26-38;
3:21-22; Romans 1:1-4; Colossians 1:15-17; John 1:1, 14, 18; 8:29; Hebrews
1:1-4; 4:15; Mark 1:21; 2:1-12; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18;
Romans 3:23-25; Galatians 3:13; 4:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Luke 24:1-8,
36-43, 50-1; Acts 2:32-36; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 2:1-2
5. SALVATION
Salvation is entirely a
work of God's grace and cannot be earned or deserved. It has been accomplished
by the Lord Jesus Christ and is offered to all in the gospel. God in his
love forgives sinners whom he calls, granting them repentance and faith.
All who believe in Christ are justified by faith alone, adopted into the
family of God and receive eternal life.
Ephesians 2:4-10; Titus 3:4-7;
John 3:16; 6:37-40; Acts 2:38-39; Romans 5:1-2; 8:28-30; 10:9-13; Galatians
4:6-7
6. THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit has been
sent from heaven to glorify Christ and to apply his work of salvation.
He convicts sinners, imparts spiritual life and gives a true understanding
of the Scriptures. He indwells all believers, brings assurance of salvation
and produces increasing likeness to Christ. He builds up the Church and
empowers its members for worship, service and mission.
John 3:5-8; 14:15-17, 25-26;
15:5-15; Romans 8:13-17; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Galatians 5:16, 22-23;
1 Corinthians 12:1-13; Ephesians 1:13-14; 3:16-17; 5:18-20; Acts 1:8; 4:31
7. THE CHURCH
The universal Church is
the body of which Christ is the head and to which all who are saved belong.
It is made visible in local churches, which are congregations of believers
who are committed to each other for the worship of God, the preaching of
the Word, the administering of Baptism and the Lord's Supper; for pastoral
care and discipline, and for evangelism. The unity of the body of Christ
is expressed within and between churches by mutual love, care and encouragement.
True fellowship between churches exists only where they are faithful to
the gospel.
Matthew 16:18; Ephesians
1:22-23; 2:19-22; 1 Corinthians 1:2-3; Romans 12:4-13; Hebrews 10:19-25;
1 Timothy 4:11-13; 2 Timothy 4:1-2; Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:40-42; 1 Corinthians
11:23-29; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 3:15-16; Colossians 4:5-6
8. BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S
SUPPER
Baptism and the Lord's Supper
have been given to the churches by Christ as visible signs of the gospel.
Baptism is a symbol of union with Christ and entry into his Church but
does not impart spiritual life. The Lord's Supper is a commemoration of
Christ's sacrifice offered once for all and involves no change in the bread
and wine. All its blessings are received by faith.
Baptism:
John 4:1-2; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:11-12
Lord’s Supper:
Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 10:14-17;
11:23-29; Hebrews 9:24-26
9. THE FUTURE
The Lord Jesus Christ will
return in glory. He will raise the dead and judge the world in righteousness.
The wicked will be sent to eternal punishment and the righteous will be
welcomed into a life of eternal joy in fellowship with God. God will make
all things new and will be glorified forever
Matthew 25:31-46; Mark 8:38;
Acts 1:11; John 5:28-30; Acts 10:42; 17:31; 1 Corinthians 15:20-24, 42-44,
50-57; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians
4:16-5:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; 2 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 9:28; 2 Peter
3:10-13; Jude 24; Revelation 1:7; 7:13-17; 20:11-15; 21:1-5. |