Doctrinal Statement on Theology Proper

I believe that God self-existent. “God is independent in His being [and] He is independent of everything else” (MHT 192).In Exodus 3:14, God states, “I am who I am.” The verb “to be” emphasizes His continual existence in Himself. God is also not dependent on anything else for life except Himself (John 5:26).

I believe that God is infinite. God has no boundaries in any measurement or abilities; He is limitless (Revelations 1:8). This means that God is not localized at any one time (MHT 198). God is not bound by matter like humans are (Psalm 139:7-10) because He is spirit (John 4:24). God also has no limits in his power (Luke 1:37; Job 42:2). Since God is not bound by power or space, it is logical that God would not be limited in knowledge (Hebrews 4:13).

I believe that God is immutable. One of the biggest comforts is that God will never change (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17). God cannot change from her perfections, purposes, and promises and He is free from all growth or decay (MHT 193). No matter how Christ-like we become, God will not play favorite and no matter how sinful we become, God will always forgive. (1 John 1:9).

I believe that God is Holy. God’s holiness could be God’s foremost attribute of all because holiness pervades all the other attributes of God (MHT 197). God is completely set apart from sin (Leviticus 11:44) and we are called to be holy just like Him (1 Peter 1:15-16). God’s holiness also shows His uniqueness (Isaiah 44:6) and purity (Proverbs 30:5).

I believe that God is righteous. God is the standard of what is right. God cannot sin or do wrong in anything that He does (Psalm 145:17). God does not have to live up to a standard or a set rule that makes things right or wrong, God is the standard of what is right or wrong—hence, God’s righteousness. Therefore, He cannot help but be right (NBD418-419).

I believe that God is just. “God is entirely correct and just in all His dealings with humanity; moreover, this justice acts in accordance with His law” (MHT 200). Because of this, God’s justice is related to man’s sin. Since God is just, He will judge me for my sin, but God is also just in His forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9).

I believe that God is faithful. God knows that we live in a world full of sin and He is faithful to help us and deliver us from sin (1 Corinthians 10:13). God’s faithfulness is closely tied to God’s goodness; if God is trustworthy to help us as promised in Scripture, then He is indeed faithful (STV1 366).

I believe that God is love. God’s love is “that perfection of the divine nature by which God is eternally moved to communicate Himself. It is not a mere emotional impulse, but a rational and voluntary affection, having its ground in truth and holiness and its exercise in free choice” (MHT 196; John 5:42; Romans 5:5, 8; 8:35, 39; 1 John 4:10-11, 19; Revelations 1:5). God’s love also encompasses His benevolence (John 3:16), mercy, (Psalm 145:9), grace (Psalm 86:15), longsuffering (2 Peter 3:9), and jealousy (Deuteronomy 4:24).

I believe that God is transcendent and immanent simultaneously. God is God is separate, superior to, and independent of the created order (Isaiah 57:15a) and that makes Him transcendent. God is also present and active in nature and history (Isaiah 57:15b) and that makes Him immanent. A great way of summarizing this is that “[God] transcends all spatial limitations, and yet is present in ever point of space with His whole Being” (MHT 197).

I believe that God exists in a Trinity. “A proper definition must include the distinctness and equality of the three persons within the express and doctrine” (MHT 203). I believe that there is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). I also believe that there are three that are identified as God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:2). These three also have distinct identities and roles in the Godhead.