Joel  ECCLESIASTICAL SCHOOL OF PREPARATION IS
FOUNDED ON THESE REVELATIONS AND ARTICLES OF FAITH

We hold these truths:

I. SCRIPTURES

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error. That it reveals the principles by which God will judge us, and therefore is and shall remain the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried.

II. THE TRUE GOD

We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, true God, an infinite and intelligent Spirit.

III. THE FALL OF MAN

We believe the Scriptures teach that man was created in holiness after the image and likeness of his Creator, but by the voluntary elevation of his will over the will of God, fell from that holy and happy state.

IV. THE WAY OF SALVATION

We believe the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatory office of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our sinful nature, and was yet without sin Himself. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death and resurrection made a full atonement for our sins.

V. JUSTIFICATION

We believe the Scriptures teach that justification is a change in our position before Christ and includes the pardon of our sin. That it is bestowed without consideration of any works, but solely through the shed blood of Jesus.

VI. THE FREENESS OF SALVATION

We believe the Scriptures teach that salvation is offered to everyone who would believe in Jesus and that He is the son of the living God.

VII. REGENERATION

We believe the Scriptures teach that regeneration is the impartation of a new and divine life, a new creation and the production of a new thing. It is not the old nature altered, reformed, or re-invigorated, but a new birth from above.

VIII. REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, offered to all who turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy while embracing the Lord Jesus Christ.

IX. GOD’S PURPOSE OF GRACE

We believe that the Scripture teaches that it is God’s will that none should perish but be saved through faith.

X. SANCTIFICATION

We believe the Scriptures teach that Sanctification is instantaneous, progressive and complete. That by the death of Jesus Christ the sanctification of believers takes place at the moment one believes in Christ. He is separated from sin and separated unto God. That the believer grows in sanctification rather than into sanctification out of something.

XI. PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS

We believe the Scriptures teach that real believers are those who endure to the end; that their persevering is the grand mark, which distinguishes them from superficial professors.

XII. THE LAW AND GOSPEL

We believe the Scriptures teach that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arise entirely from their love of sin; that the Gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ who came in the flesh, suffered for all humanity, died in our stead and rose from the grave as a provision that would allow all who believe in what God did through Jesus to be saved.

XIII. A GOSPEL CHURCH

We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His law; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word.

XIV. BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

We believe the Scriptures teach that Scriptural baptism is by total immersion of a believer in water, into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; to show outwardly what has taken place on the inside. That the Lord’s Supper commemorates the Life, Death, Resurrection and coming again of Jesus Christ.

XV. THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH

We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day, (our Christian Sabbath established by Christ and the apostles in response to what Christ did and said) and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes. We do believe that every day is a day of thanksgiving—a day that the Lord has made and that we are to rejoice and be glad. Sunday is a special day of giving special thanks; however, we are not limited to worshiping Him only one day, but every day.

XVI. CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe the Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment for the interest of good order for human society.

XVII. RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED

We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked.

XVIII. THE WORLD TO COME

We believe the bible teaches that the end of the world is approaching; that Christ will descend from heaven, all shall see Him, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy.

XIX. GOD THE FATHER

We believe the Scripture does not seek to prove the existence of God. It declares Him.

XX. TRINITY

We believe the Scriptures teach the triune (three in one) revelation of God as Father, Son and Holy Ghost. You cannot have one without the other.

XXI. WRATH OF GOD

We believe the Scriptures teach the wrath of God (orge) is defined as the law of God in operation.

XXII. MERCY AND GRACE OF GOD

We believe the Scriptures teach the mercy of God is related to the love of God. He can never cease to love. Mercy is love expressing itself in forgiveness and remission of penalty for the guilty who repent of their sins.

XXIII. THE WILL OF GOD

We believe the Scriptures teach the will of God is His word made flesh. That His eternal purpose was expressed by Christ and acted out in His teaching, preaching, and living.

XIV. SIN

We believe the Scriptures teach that sin is: 1. To miss the mark, 2. To fail to maintain the Godly standard, 3. To fail to measure up to what God is requiring.

XV. ATONEMENT

We believe the Scripture teaches Atonement, which means to cover, reconcile, and make two as one, to reconcile a difference, or to bring together two persons who have been separated.

XXVI. REPENTANCE

We believe the Scriptures teach two Greek words for Repentance. Metamelomai is the emotional element (regret, change of mind with no reference to sorrow, or merely regret that one got caught). Metanoia is a change of mind or attitude. It involves the will of the heart. Its primary focus is a change in the direction of one’s life or attitude toward God.

XXVII. FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD

We believe the Scriptures teach that the foreknowledge of God is based upon His omniscience of all knowledge before hand.

XXVIII. INCARNATION AND VIRGIN BIRTH

We believe the Scriptures teach that God revealed Himself in Christ through the virgin birth of Mary in the nature of flesh and blood according to the scriptures: John 1:14, 2 Cor. 5:19, Phil. 2:10, Heb. 2:14-15.

XXIX. VICARIOUS DEATH

We believe the Scriptures teach the death of Jesus was not for Himself but for others. It is the idea of substitution. Thus, Jesus did not die for any wrong that He had done. His death accomplished for man what he could not do for himself.

XXX. BODILY RESURRECTION

We believe the Scriptures teach that a bodily resurrection will take place. The bodily resurrection of Jesus authenticates His deity (Matt. 12:40; Rom 1:4;) justifies the believer (Rom 4:25;) authenticates the gospel (1Cor. 15:12-20;) and shall be the first fruits of the first resurrection and the great white throne.