These Things Christians Believe

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for doctrine, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17

(1) We hold and teach that the Bible is the only rule of faith and practice, and it alone is able to make a person wise unto salvation.

(2) We hold and teach that we are accounted righteous before God only because of the merit of our Lord Jesus Christ through faith, and not for our own works and deserving. We maintain that in the matter of our justification, our own goodness and holiness have nothing whatever to do with it.

(3) We hold and teach that good works, which follow after justification, spring necessarily out of a true and living faith. We maintain that a living faith may be as evidently discerned by the good works which spring from it, as a tree is discerned by its fruit; and that, consequently, the one in whom no good works and holiness can be seen is not yet a converted person.

(4) We hold and teach that repentance, faith, holiness of heart and life, justification, conversion, union with Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit are the primary and principal things in true religion. We maintain that other points of doctrine, however important and valuable in their due place, are by comparison, things of secondary importance.

"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction." 2 Tim. 4:2

- J. C. Ryle