The Malphurs Group Statement of Faith
I. The Holy Scriptures
We believe literally in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as inspired by God, inerrant in the original writings, and of supreme and final authority in faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).
II. The Trinity
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). Father: Ephesians 4:6; Son: Hebrews 1:8; Holy Spirit: John 14:16–17.
III. Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and is true God and true man (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:20–21; Luke 1:35–36; Hebrews 10:12; Philippians 2:5–8; John 14:8–12; 1 Timothy 2:5–6).
IV. Salvation
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins as our substitutionary sacrifice according to the Scriptures, and all who receive Him by faith are justified on the basis of His shed blood (1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Colossians 1:14; Ephesians 1:4–9; Romans 5:8–10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Timothy 1:15).
V. The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, His bodily ascension into Heaven, and His present ministry as High Priest and Advocate for us (Hebrews 7:25, 9:24, 10:21; 1 Timothy 2:5–6; 1 John 2:1; 1 Corinthians 15:1–4; Acts 1:9–11).
VI. The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit existed eternally with the Father and the Son; His ministry is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. During this present age He convicts men (John 16:8); regenerates the believing sinner (Titus 3:5); places believers into the body of Christ by His baptism (1 Corinthians 12:13); and indwells (1 Corinthians 6:19); and seals (Ephesians 4:30); and fills (Ephesians 5:18) every believer. He guides (Romans 8:14), instructs (John 16:12–15), and empowers the believer for godly living and service.
VII. Humanity
We believe that man is the special creation of God, made in His own image. He created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. In the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God and fell from his original innocence whereby his posterity inherit a nature and an environment inclined toward sin. Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to fulfill the creative purpose of God.
(Genesis 1:26–30; 2:5, 7, 18–22; 3; 9:6; Psalms 1; 8:3–6; 32:1–5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 16:26; Acts 17:26–31; Romans 1:19–32; 3:10–18, 23; 5:6, 12, 19; 6:6; 7:14–25; 8:14–18, 29; 1 Corinthians 1:21–31; 15:19, 21–22; Ephesians 2:1–22; Colossians 1:21–22; 3:9–11)
VIII. Marriage
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture, and that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one man and one woman, and that any form of sexual immorality is sinful and offensive to God (Genesis 2:18–24; Matthew 19:4–9; Mark 10:5–9; Ephesians 5:31–33; 1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2–5; Hebrews 13:4).
IX. Gender and Sexuality
We believe that gender is determined biologically rather than being a social construct or individual choice subject to a person’s feelings, desires, or preferences, and that these two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect the image and nature of God. Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. We believe that homosexuality, whether attraction acted upon or identity embraced, is a distortion of God’s created design for human sexuality and is contrary to His revealed will, and that no person, whether a layperson or a member of the clergy, may affirm, condone, teach, bless, or officiate over homosexual relationships or unions while remaining in good standing with this organization. We believe that all people, regardless of their sexual attractions or struggles, are made in the image of God and are to be treated with dignity, compassion, and love, and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ offers forgiveness, redemption, and transformation to all who repent and believe (Genesis 1:27–28; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; 1 Timothy 1:9–10; Jude 1:7).
X. Eternal Destiny
We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost; the everlasting blessedness of the saved and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:12–15; 21:8; Acts 24:14–15; John 5:28–29; Luke 16:19–31).
XI. Sanctification
We believe that believers in Christ are sanctified and set apart unto God for His service:
- At the moment a person trusts Christ for salvation (1 Corinthians 1:2; 6:11; Hebrews 10:10, 14).
- Daily by the reading of the Word and by the teaching of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 119:11; Ephesians 5:25–26; John 17:17; Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:4).
- Ultimately when the believer comes into the actual presence of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:51–58; 1 John 3:2; 1 Peter 1:4–6; Jude 24–25).
XII. The Church
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, which is His Body, the Church (Ephesians 1:22–23; 4:1–16; Colossians 1:15–18; Romans 12:4–5; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27).