Togo Baptist Convention

Confession of faith

About the TBC Confession of faith

What we believe

Our confession of faith in 16 articles

Grounded in the Bible, the Word of God, the confession of faith of the Togo Baptist Convention summarizes the convictions shared by all its churches.

The Scriptures

1

The Bible, made up of the sixty-six (66) canonical books, is wholly inspired by God and is God's complete written revelation to humankind. We therefore recognize and affirm the infallibility of the Bible, its inerrancy and its authority. It is the only authority in matters of faith and practice.

Ex 24.4 ; Dt 4.1-2 ; 17.19 ; 18.18 ; Mt 5.17-18 ; Jn 5.39, 46 ; Rom 1.2; 3.2 ; 2Tim 3.15-17; Hé 1.1-2; 1P 1.19-21; Ap 22.18

God

2

God is one and eternal. He is the creator of the universe, revealed in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is sovereign, perfect in wisdom, holiness and power.

Gn 1.1, 26 ; Ex 15.11; Dt 4.39 ; 1S 6.20 ; Ps 65.7; 99.9; 115.3; 139.8 ; Ch 29.12 ; Jb 42.2 ; Es 6.3; Rm 16.25 ; Mt 28.19-20; 19.26 ; Jn 1.1ss ; 10.30 ; 16.13-15, 30; Ac 1.24; Ap 15.4.

3

God hears our prayers; He saves from sin, judgement and condemnation those who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ.

Ps 17.6 ; 50.15 ; Ph 4.6 ; Jn 3.16-18 ; Rm 3.23-24 ; Ep 2.8-9.

Jesus Christ

4

Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, pre-existent, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, lived on earth without sin and gave Himself on the cross as the atonement for the sins of humankind.

Es 7.14 ; Lc 1.34-35 ; Jn 1.3, 14, 29 ; Mt 20.28 ; 2Co 5.21 ; Gal 3.13 ; Phil 2.6-7 ; Col 1.16-17.

5

Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, is the only mediator between God and humankind and intercedes for His Church.

Mc 10.45 ; Jn 17 ; 1Tm 2.4 ; 1Pi 1.18-19 ; Rm 8.34.

6

Jesus Christ will return visibly to establish His perfect kingdom.

Mt 16.27 ; 24.30, 37 ; Jn 14.1-3 ; Col 3.4 ; 1Th 4.1 ; 2Tm 4.11 ; 1Pi 5.7 ; Ap 19.7-16.

The Holy Spirit

7

The Holy Spirit is God and the third person of the Trinity. He is one with the Father and the Son. His work is to convict people of sin, righteousness and judgement in order to regenerate them. He dwells in every Christian from the moment of conversion, sanctifies, teaches, encourages, equips and keeps them in Jesus Christ.

Jn 14.15-26 ; 15.26 ; 16.7-11 ; 1Co 1.11 ; 2.10 ; 3.17 ; Gn 1.2 ; Jb 26.13 ; 33.4 ; Ps 3.6 ; 104.30 ; Es 40.7.

Humanity and salvation

8

All people are sinners by nature and by choice.

Gn 2.15-17 ; 3.6-13 ; Ps 14.1-3 ; Rm 5.12-21 ; 1Co 15.21-22.

9

Every human being is accountable to God in matters of faith. Those who repent of their sin, accept the atoning work of Jesus Christ and are united with Him by faith are saved. This union brings justification. Whoever rejects Jesus Christ will be judged and eternally separated from God. Whoever believes in Him receives life and will dwell eternally in divine joy.

Jn 1.12 ; 3.16-19 ; Rm 10.9-10 ; 1Tm 2.4 ; 2Pi 3.9 ; 1Jn 5.9-13.

10

True faith shows itself in people through good works.

Dt 6.24 ; Jo 1.7-9 ; Néh 10.29 ; Jc 1.21-27 ; 2.12-22.

The Church

11

The Church is a spiritual and living body of which Christ Himself is the head.

Mt 16.16-18 ; Rm 12.5 ; 1Co 12.13 ; Ep 1.22-23 ; 5.23,25 ; Col 1.18.

12

A local church, according to the Word of God, is an assembly of regenerated, baptized believers who unite for worship, service and fellowship.

Ac 8.1 ; 20.17 ; Rm 16.1 ; Col 4.16 ; Ap 1.4.

13

Jesus Christ entrusted the Church with the practice of two ordinances: baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Mt 28.19 ; Lc 22.10, 20 ; 1Co 11.22.

The Christian in society

14

Every Christian must promote peace with all people on the principles of justice, in accordance with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ps 85.10 ; 120.7 ; 122.7 ; Prov 12.20 ; Mt 5.9 ; Rm 12.18 ; 14.19 ; 1Co 14.33 ; Jc 3.18.

15

Church and State must be separate. The State owes every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its purpose and goals. Since civil government is ordained by God, it is the duty of Christians to obey it in all things that do not oppose the revealed will of God. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal.

Dan 3.15-21, 28-30 ; Lc 20.21-25 ; Ac 4.14-21 ; 1Tm 2.1-4.

Satan

16

Satan is a fallen angel whose aim is to thwart God's plan, and his end will be condemnation, or eternal punishment.

Es 14.11-15 ; Ez 28.12-17 ; Mt 4.1-11 ; 13.25, 39 ; Rm 16.20 ; 1Pi 5.8 ; Ap 12.9 ; 20.2.

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