Brief Statements of Some Basic Biblical Doctrine Held by Hoffmantown Church

Biblical Doctrine may be expressed in detailed statements of truth derived from Scripture. The following are some of the basic doctrines held at Hoffmantown Church with some primary supporting Scripture references.

Doctrine of God

• There is one and only one living and true God. (Gen 1:1; Deut 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-6,14,18,21-22; Mark 12:29: 1 Jn. 5:20)
• He has revealed Himself as Jehovah to Israel. (Exo 3:6, 14; Psa. 90:1,2)

Doctrine of the Trinity

• God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes but without division of nature, essence, or being. (Luke 3:22; John 16:5-11, Matt 28:19)

Doctrine of the Bible.

• The Bible, as originally delivered, is the inspired word of God. (2 Tim 3:16) It:
  • Has God as its source. (2 Sam 23:2)
  • Was produced by the Holy Spirit working through men. (2 Pet 1:20-21; Luke 1:1-2)
  • Speaks with the authority of God in all matters of faith and practice. (2 Tim 3:16)
• Any statement of doctrine must agree with the whole of Scripture. (Prov 30:5a; Luke 16:17; Matt 5:17-18)

Doctrine of Man.

• Man was created by God (Gen. 1:26-27; Gen 5:1-2), capable of:
  • Fellowship with God and (Gen 3:8-9, 5;24, 6:9, John 14:23, 1 John 1:3)
  • Free moral choice. (Gen 3:11, Rom 2:15; Gen 2:16-17; Josh 24:15)

Doctrine of Sin.

• Sin, man’s inevitable violation of the holiness of God, leaves him helplessly, hopelessly separated from God. (Rom 3:10, 23, 5:12, 6:23, 8:7-8, 1 John 1:8)
• The only remedy is through Jesus Christ. ( John 14:6, Acts 4:11-12, Rom 5:17-18, 8:1, 1 Tim 2:5)

Doctrine of Christ.

• He is/was:
  • The Son of God. ( John 3:16, Matt 3:17; Matt 16:16; Mark 1:1, 39;)
  • Incarnated in Jesus of Nazareth. ( John 1:14)
  • Born of a virgin. (Matt 1:18-25, Luke 1:31-33, Isaiah 7:14)Fully divine AND fully human. ( John 1:1-14; Col 2:9, Rev 1:8)
  • Without sin. (Heb 4:15, 1 Pet 2:22, 1 John 3:5)
  • Crucified, buried, and resurrected (1 Cor 15:3-4, 15:20)
    • To enable the reconciliation of sinful man to the holy God. (Luke 19:10, Rom 5:8-10, 1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor 5:19, Heb 1:1-3, Hebrews 9:22)
  • Eternally alive and ruling. (Acts 2:33, Col 3:1, Heb 4:16, 1 Peter 3:22, Rev 11:15)
  • The head of the church. (Col 1:18, Eph 1:22, Eph 5:23)

Doctrine of Salvation.

• Those who have accepted Christ as Savior ( John 20:31, John 17:3, Rom 5:1-2):
  • Have been justified by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, ( John 3:16, Eph 2:8-9, Romans 10:14-17, Galatians 2:16, Titus 3:5, Rom 3:20-26, Galatians 2:11-14)
  • Are being sanctified into the image of Christ (Rom 8:29, Eph 2:10, Rom 6:19-22), and
  • Will be glorified with Christ in eternity (Rom 8:30, 1 Cor. 15:50-53, Rom 8:17).

Doctrine of Perseverance, i.e., the Security of the Believer.

• Once received, salvation cannot be lost. ( John 3:16, John 10:27-29, Eph 1:13, Ro. 8:33-39)

Doctrine of Assurance.

• Believers can be assured of their salvation. ( John 5:24, 1 John 5:12-13, Rom 8:38-39)

Doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

• The Holy Spirit ( John 16:5-15):
  • Is eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, i.e., divine. (1 John 5:7, Eph 2:18, Matt 28:19)
  • Serves as the continuing spiritual presence of God on earth. (Titus 3:4-7, Gal 5:22-24)
  • Was present and active in Old Testament. (1 Pet 1:10-12, Gen. 1:2)
  • Began a heightened role among men with the advent of the church. (Acts 1:8, 4:31, John 16:7-11, 1 Cor 12:13, Eph 5:15-21)
  • Indwells all believers. (Rom 8:9-11, 1 Cor 6:19, John 14:16-17, Eph 1:13-14, Eph 4:30-32, 2 Cor 1:21-22)
  • Provides guidance, strength, and protection. ( John 14:25-26, Eph 1:13-14, John 16:13-15, Rom 8:26, Rom 8:4, 14)

Doctrine of the Church.

• The church (1 Cor 12:12-31, Eph 1:22-23):
  • Is comprised of all individuals saved by God’s grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Pet 2:1-5, Eph 4:4-7, 11-16, 1 Cor 1:2)
  • Is held together by the power of the Holy Spirit as a corporate body. (Eph 4:1-6)
  • Has Christ as its founder, builder, sustainer, and head. (Col 1:18, 2;19, Eph 5:23, Eph 1:22)
  • Takes the form of localized congregations in the present world. (1 Pet 1:1-2, Titus 1:5-9, Gal 1:2)
• Concerning ordinances, Hoffmantown Church practices:
  • Baptism (Matt 28:18-20)
    • As an act of obedience, believers identifying themselves with Christ in the symbolism of His death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:3-4, Acts 2:41, Acts 8:35-38, Acts 18:8, Acts 16:30-33)
  • Communion (Lord’s Supper) (1 Cor 11:23-26)
    • As a memorial, open to all believers, to remember Jesus as the pure Lamb of God sacrificed for our sins on the cross. (Luke 22:14-20)