Division of the Bible
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DIVISION OF THE BIBLE
We believe that the Old and New Testaments are both the inspired Word of God, but that the New Testament is the exclusive book of authority. Everything that is necessary for the unconverted to do in order to become a Christian, and everything that is necessary for the Christian to do in order to go to heaven are found in the New Testament.
The old law is nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14). The Old Testament was for the Jew and the New for the Christian. Many commandments found in the Old Testament are now found in the New; but they are binding upon us, not because they are found in the Old, but because they are re-enacted in the New Covenant.
The Old Testament is the New concealed; the New is the Old revealed. We need the Old to help us understand the New. The books have been written for a definite purpose. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John give us a biography of Jesus. We read these to believe on Him. The Acts of the Apostles is a book of church history in which we see the apostles going forth under the Great Commission preaching the gospel and showing men the way to Christ. It is the book that tells one what to do to put on Christ. The twenty-one Epistles are letters written by inspired men to Christian churches or to Christian individuals instructing them how to grow in grace and to live the Christian life. The book of Revelation pictures the destiny of mankind.
We believe that all human creeds and 'Confessions of Faith' should be abolished. This must be done before unity can be achieved. All human creeds have come out of controversy. We maintain that the Bible alone is sufficient for our rule of faith and practice. We go to the Bible for our authority in church government as well as to learn the plan of salvation. Whatever the Bible commands us to do, those things we do; what the Bible forbids, from those we refrain; where the Bible is silent, there is freedom of opinion.
The divine confession is: "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God." This is the confession of Christendom. We have no right to ask more than this. Peter made this confession when he said: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). (Read also, Acts 8:36-37; Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:10.)
We teach that Jesus is the Saviour of the world and that to Him all authority is given. He is our Lord, King, Saviour, Advocate, Good Shepherd, the Light, the Truth, the Way.
The only test of Christian fellowship is Christ. Christ is our creed.