What I Believe!

A Statement of Faith by Paul G. Mathenia, PhD.

SCRIPTURE
I believe that the Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God, wholly without error as originally given by God, and is sufficient as our only infallible rule of faith and practice. Therefore, the Bible is the basis of all truths taught in the Victory Over Death seminar.

GOD
I believe in the one true and living God, who is the sovereign creator and sustainer of all things. His existence is eternal and unchangeable.  He has revealed himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each having distinct personal attributes but being fully united in nature, essence, and being.

JESUS CHRIST
I believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His personal return in power and glory.

THE HOLY SPIRIT
I believe the deity of the Holy Spirit who was sent from God to convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He regenerates sinners and cleanses them from their sin, indwells believers and empowers the Christian to live a godly life.

MAN
I believe that man was created innocent, that he was tempted by Satan and sinned; because of this all have been born in sin since that time and are by nature the children of wrath.

SATAN
I believe that Satan is a personal devil who, along with the angels who joined him in rebellion and are often called demons, carries on the work of iniquity in this world.

SIN
I believe that sin is basically rebellion against God by the breaking of His holy law and refusal to obey His commands. Sin, if not remedied, will end in eternal separation from God and His just execution of everlasting punishment.

SALVATION
I believe that salvation is accomplished through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.  Regeneration, the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby the Holy Spirit brings about a change of heart through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification.

RESURRECTION
I believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; those who are saved unto the resurrection of life, and those who are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.

UNITY
I believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

I can also affirm the following confessions of faith:
The Baptist Faith and Message 2000
The Second London Baptist Confession of Faith 1689