Statement of Faith
This doctrinal statement reflects the broad, mainstream, conservative evangelical tradition which is consistent with the teachings of the Bible and has stood the test of history and experience.
We specifically affirm the following doctrinal truths:
Scripture
We believe that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). We understand this to mean that the whole Bible is inspired, in that holy men of God “were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21) to write the very words of Scripture. We believe that this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of Scripture as it appeared in the original manuscripts. We believe that the whole Bible in those original manuscripts is, therefore, without error. We believe that all Scripture centers around the Lord Jesus Christ in His Person, work, and in His first and second coming. Therefore, no portion of the Old Testament is properly read or understood until it leads to Christ. We also believe that all Scripture was designed for our practical instruction (Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16).
The Triune Godhead
We believe in the one true and living God, the Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, and Ruler of all things. He is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, and is revealed to us as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God the Father: God, as Father, reigns over His entire universe with providential care. He is all-powerful (omnipotent), all-loving (omni-benevolent), all-knowing and all-wise (omniscient), and that everything exists in His presence (omnipresent). He is fatherly in attitude toward all men but is Father, indeed, to those who have become children of God through Jesus Christ, who will deliver them into the Father’s hands (Genesis 1:1; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 6:9; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 15:24; Ephesians 4:6).
God the Son: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. He accomplished this redemption by voluntarily giving Himself as a sinless, substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, thereby satisfying God’s righteous judgment against sin. After substantiating the accomplishment of that redemption and justification by His bodily resurrection from the grave, He ascended to the right hand of His Father, where He intercedes on behalf of those who trust Him as their Savior (Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1-2, 14, 18; Romans 3:24-26; 8:3).
God the Holy Spirit: We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Person who convicts the world of sin (righteousness and judgment); that He alone brings new life to those who are spiritually dead; that He baptizes (or places) all believers into the one true Church, which is the Body of Christ; that He indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of final redemption, bestows spiritual gifts upon them, and fills (controls) those who are yielding to Him. Every believer is called to live in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit so that he or she will not fulfill the lust of the flesh but will bear fruit to the glory of God (John 3:3-8; 14:16-17; 16:7-11; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 13; Ephesians 4:30; 5:18).
Creation
We believe that humanity was created directly by and in the image of God. We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, including all life, by direct act (Genesis 1:1; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17).
Humanity
Humanity was created to glorify God, worship Him, serve Him, and have fellowship with Him. Although humanity was created in the image of God, we chose to sin and are lost—incurring both physical and spiritual death and alienating ourselves from Holy God. This is true of all people; and except a person is born again by the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior and Son of God, they cannot enter the eternal kingdom of God (Genesis 1:26-27; John 3:3; Romans 3:10, 23).
The Devil - Satan
We believe that Satan is real, inspires sin through temptation, enticed the fall of humanity, and is destined to the judgment of an eternal punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 4:1-3; Acts 5:3; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10).
Sin
We believe that sin is the transgression of God’s law, as revealed by the Holy Spirit in His eternal Word (Romans 5:12, 19; 7:14-25; Ephesians 2:1-22; 1 John 3:4). Sin includes when we willfully attempt to meet our needs or accomplish our goals in our own way, despite how God instructs us in Scripture. Born with the sin nature because of the iniquity of our forefather Adam, our inclination is to disobey God. Because the penalty for the transgression of God’s law is condemnation and eternal death, every person who sins—which is every person living—is sentenced to eternal separation from God unless God Himself intervenes (Romans 1:18-32; 3:10, 23; 6:23).
Atonement for Sin
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins as a substitutionary sacrifice and that all who believe in Him are redeemed by His shed blood. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord Jesus Christ and in His ascension into heaven; He is our High Priest and Advocate (John 1:1-3, 14; 3:1-7; Hebrews 10:4-14; 1 John 2:2).
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God’s grace. It cannot be gained or made more secure by meritorious works but is freely bestowed upon all who put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary. All who so trust the Savior are forgiven of their sins and born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (John 1:12; Acts 16:30-33; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-9). We believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life—the one and only way to eternal life (John 14:6).
The Christian Walk
We believe that every Christian should live for Jesus and not for themselves and should, by the power of the indwelling Spirit, allow Christ to manifest His life through them to God’s glory. By ever increasing obedience to the Word of God, each believer should mature and progressively become more like Jesus. In the power of the Spirit, each believer should live a holy life; not fulfill the lusts of the flesh; exercise his spiritual gifts to build up the Body of Christ; be a witness about Jesus’ salvation; be personally involved in making disciples to fulfill the Great Commission; perform good works; and bear fruit to the glory of God (Matthew 28:18–20; John 15:8,16; Acts 1:8; Romans 6:11–13; 2 Corinthians 5:14–15; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:10; 4:11–12, 22-24; Colossians 1:10; 1 Peter 1:15–16; 2:11; 4:10–11).
The Church
We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ, of which Jesus is the Head and whose members have received Jesus as Lord and Savior by faith. The local church is a tangible expression of the Body of Christ in a particular location. Since all members of the Body of Christ are united in Christ by the same Spirit, they should live in love, harmony, and unity, being intent on the same purpose based on a sincere interpretation of the Bible. The purpose of the church is to make Christ known to the lost, to make disciples of all nations, and glorify God on earth (Matthew 28:18–20; John 17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Ephesians. 1:20-23; 4:1-6, 12-16; Colossians 1:24–29).
The Great Commission
Until the return of Christ, it is the Christian’s duty and privilege to seek the fulfillment of Christ’s Great Commission and to minister in His name to a needy world. We are to be instruments of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit ministers redemption and reconciliation in the world (Matthew 25:31-46; 28:18-20).
Have Questions?
We’re so glad you’re here! Whether you have questions, need guidance, or simply want to learn more about Charles Stanley Institute, we’re here to walk alongside you on this journey. Our team is ready to assist you and provide the support you need.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 7900, Atlanta, GA 30357
Phone:
800-818-9231
