ARTICLE 1: Concerning the Holy Scripture

We believe in the Holy Scripture (that is, the 39 Canonical books of the Old and the 27 of the New Testament) as the only God-breathed Book¹ and as the only source and only rule of faith and practical living, and that this is the full, adequate, sure and infallible guide for all occasion of spiritual query and difficulty².

1. 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21

2. Luke 16:29,31, Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 9:10, 10:11

ARTICLE 2: Concerning Inspiration and Revelation

We believe that the various books of the Holy Scripture have in themselves authority and that the only difference between them as far as revelation or the unveiling and development of the divine truths is that, whereas in the Old Testament divine truths are rather hidden in the New Testament they are altogether revealed³.

3. Luke 24:27, 44, Romans 3:21, Colossians 2:17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Hebrews1:1, 8:7-10,13

ARTICLE 3: Concerning God in Trinity

We believe in One Living and True God, Who is Spirit⁴ existing of Himself, without beginning, eternal⁵, infinite, perfectly holy⁶, in glory and power⁷, unsearchable in wisdom⁸, righteousness⁹, goodness¹⁰, truth¹¹, and unchangeable¹². We believe and worship one God in the unity of the Godhead – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in three Persons, of the same substance and of equal glory¹³.

4. John 4:24, 2 Corinthians 3:17

5. Deuteronomy 33:27, Psalms 90:2

6. Matthew 5:48, 1 Peter 1:15

7. Exodus 15:11, Psalms 145:5

8. Romans 11:33

9. Ezekiel 9:10, Psalms 146:17

10. Psalms 25:8, 100:5

11. Psalms 117:2, John 17:17

12. Malachi 3:6, James 1:17

13. John 5:18, 10:30,33

ARTICLE 4: Concerning the Revelation of God

We believe that God has revealed Himself in nature¹⁴, in history and in the heart of man; that in order that His revelation should become clearer to His servants – who were moved to speak by the Holy Spirit¹⁵ – and at the fullness of time, it pleased Him to reveal Himself fully in Christ Jesus, the Word¹⁶, who became flesh¹⁷, Who is “the crown of glory and the character of personhood” of the Father¹⁸ and that the faithful statement of divine revelation was kept in the Holy Scripture (articles 1 and 2).

14. Acts 14:17, Romans 2:19-20

15. Hebrews 1:1, 2 Peter 1:21

16. John 1:1, Galatians 4:4

17. John 1:14, Rom 1:3

18. Hebrews 1:3

ARTICLE 5: Concerning Creation

We believe that God is the Creator of the Universe¹⁹ from nothing (zero); that He is thee Sustainer and Governor of all things²⁰; He is above all things and everywhere present; that He made human beings according to His image and likeness morally²¹, capable of communing with Him, and free to choose between good and evil and responsible before his Maker and Lord²².

19. Genesis 1:1, 2:1-2, Psalms 8:1-9, 104:24

20. Acts 17:24, Colossians 1:17

21. Genesis 1:27, 1 Corinthians 11:7

22. Deuteronomy 30:15, Josh. 24:15

ARTICLE 6: Concerning the will and providence of God

We believe that the eternal, wise, holy and good purpose of God contains all such events so that the freedom of human beings is not taken away, neither can wee attribute to God the existence of sin²³. Even so, He governs all things by His Holy Providence so that they work together for the accomplishment of His Holy and Sovereign purposes and for the application of His Divine Providence and the revelation of His glory²⁴.

23. Leviticus 19:2, John 8:46

24. Psalms 22:28, 67:4, Revelations 19:6

ARTICLE 7: Concerning human beings and the fall

We believe that human beings were made innocent²⁵, but having being tried by God they chose evil²⁶ and thus the relationship²⁷ they enjoyed with God and them was severed, which brought about the fall of humankind and their subjection to the authority and power of sin²⁸, the punishment of which is eternal death²⁹; that due to the fall all people are born with a wicket nature³⁰ and, as they are transgressors, they are unable to be saved but by the grace of God³¹.

25. Genesis 1:27, Eccl. 7:29

26. Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 3:6

27. Genesis 3:24, Psalms 14:3, Romans 3:10-12

28. Genesis 6:5, Is. 1:5-6, Romans 4:16-17

29. Romans 6:23, James 1:15

30. 48:8, Psalms 51:5

31. Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8

ARTICLE 8: Concerning salvation and election

We believe that God out of His infinite love to the world, He gave His Only Begotten Son as a Saviour of sinners³², and through the Gospel offers to all people³³ freely His almighty Salvation; that God according to His infinite pleasure prepared for Himself a people, a multitude beyond measure, chosen in Christ unto holiness, service and salvation³⁴.

32. John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:9

33. Ezekiel 18:23, 1 Timothy 2:3, 2 Peter 2:9

34. Deuteronomy 7:6, 14:2, Ephesians 1:4-5, 1 Peter 2:9-10

ARTICLE 9: Concerning Jesus Christ

We believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Word³⁵, the Son without a beginning of a Father without a beginning³⁶, of the same substance as the Father³⁷, the only Mediator between God and people³⁸, who, for us people and for our salvation, was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made a human being³⁹; perfect God⁴⁰ and perfect human being⁴¹, with Divine nature and sinless human nature distinguished and without confusion united in one person⁴².

35. Proverbs 8:22-23, John 1:2, 14, Colossians 1:17

36. Matthew 14:33, Luke 1:35, John 1:34

37. John 10:30, 14:10-11, 17:22

38. 1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 8:6

39. John 1:14, Galatians 4:4

40. John 5:18, 10:33

41. Hebrews 2:17

42. Romans 1:3-4

ARTICLE 10: Concerning the work of Christ

We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ revealed (Article 4) to us the Father by the word and His Spirit⁴³, having made known to us the complete will of God⁴⁴; that for our salvation he fulfilled all righteousness⁴⁵ and offered Himself a complete sacrifice upon the Cross⁴⁶, satisfied Divine justice, and accomplished redemption on behalf of the sins of the whole world and reconciled us to the Father⁴⁷.

43. John 17:6,8, 14:9-10

44. Matthew 6:10, 18:14

45. Matthew 3:15, Romans 3:24-26

46. John 19:30, Hebrews 9:12, 19:11-12,14

47. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Ephesians 2:16

ARTICLE 11: Concerning the Ascension of Christ

We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ was risen from the dead⁴⁸ and ascended unto heaven⁴⁹, where He is seated at the right hand of the Father⁵⁰ always mediating for us⁵¹; that Christ dwells always in the hearts of the believers⁵², above us and over us governing all things. Consequently we attribute unto Him love, obedience and worship as our Prophet, Priest and King⁵³.

48. Matthew 28:6, Luke 24:6,51, 1 Corinthians 15:4,20

49. Acts 1:9, Philippians 2:9

50. Ephesians 1:20, Colossians 3:1

51. Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25

52. John 14:17, Revelations 3:20

53. Matthew 4:10, Philippians 2:10-11

ARTICLE 12: Concerning the Gospel

We believe that God, being desirous that all people should be saved and come to the knowledge of truth⁵⁴, has commanded the Church through His Son Jesus Christ to preach to all nations the Gospel of grace⁵⁵, through which forgiveness and eternal life⁵⁶ is freely given to all people; He also calls them, at the same time, to abandon sin and to accept resting by faith upon our Lord Jesus Christ⁵⁷.

54. 2 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9

55. Mark 1:15, Romans 1:15-16

56. Mark 16:15, Acts 2:38

57. Jeremiah 6:16, Matthew 11:28-29

ARTICLE 13:  Concerning the Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life⁵⁸, Who proceeds from the Father⁵⁹, Who together with the Father and the Son, has no beginning and no end^60, Who freely acts as He wills, and without Whose life giving grace there is no salvation⁶². We believe the Father sends the Holy Spirit through His Son to all who ask.

58. Jeremiah 37:9, John 6:63, Titus 3:5-7

59. John 14:26, 15:26

60. John 14:16, 16:7

61. John 3:8, 1 Corinthians 12:11

62. Matthew 2:11, John 3:5

ARTICLE 14: Concerning the work of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Paraclete has spoken through His holy men, the Prophets and Apostles⁶³, to make known to humankind the saving truth that through our glorified Saviour was sent in power⁶⁴, to rebuke the world concerning sin⁶⁵, to enlighten people’s mind unto the knowledge of our Saviour Christ, and to convince and enable them to obediently respond to the invitation of the Gospel. We believe He remains in the Church indwelling in each believer⁶⁶, as the Spirit of truth, power, holiness, comfort and truth.

63. 2 Samuel 23:2, Hebrews 1:1, 2 Peter 1:21

64. Acts 1:8, 2:43

65. John 16:8-9

66. John 14:17, 1 John 2:27

ARTICLE 15: Concerning Election and Regeneration

We believe and humbly confess that God the Father before all ages was please by His grace to elect unto Himself in Christ Jesus⁶⁷, unto whom thee Holy Spirit grant spiritual life through Rebirth, only by which we become new creations⁶⁸ through the energies of His mysterious and merciful power, and uses toward this as the means the truths of the Divine Word⁶⁹, prayer, the gatherings of the faithful and the interference of His Divine Providence.

67. John 15:16, Romans 8:30, Ephesians 1:4-5

68. 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15

69. John 5:24, 17:17

ARTICLE 16: Concerning Repentance and Faith

We believe that faith in Christ is a saving grace, through which we accept Him and trust in Him and rest for salvation in Him alone, as it is offered to us in the Gospel, and that together with this saving faith there is always “repentance unto life”, which is a deep sense of the guilt and misery of sin, through which we confess and abandon our sins, with the certain decision unto a sincere submission to God, and with thee deep hope that God accepts through Christ the one who repents in this manner.

70. Acts 15:11, Ephesians 2:5-8

71. Acts 4:12, 10:43

72. Mark 1:15, Acts 2:38, 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

73. Romans 6:18, 22

74. Luke 18:13-14, 19:8-9, John 6:37

ARTICLE 17: Concerning Justification by Faith and Adoption

We believe that whoever by the grace of the Holy Spirit repents and believes in Christ, confesses and abandons his sins and humbly rests upon the propitiatory (redemptive) death of Christ is freely forgiven, justified by God and united with Christ and that all who are thus united with Him are partakers of His life; and that by adoption they become acceptable in the family of God as co-heirs with Christ, having the Holy Spirit in them; He is the seal of the promise of their inheritance.

75. Isaiah 55:1, Acts 2:38

76. John 3:16,36, 5:24-25

77. Romans8:17, Galatians4:7

78. 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians1:14

ARTICLE 18: Concerning the Law and the Relationship of the Christian towards the Law

We believe that as children of God, saved by grace and not by works, being led by the light of the New Testament revelation of Christ we are found in a new relationship toward the moral of the Old Testament, that is the Decalogue, understanding and applying it in its broader meaning, i.e. obedience arising out of love, as was interpreted by Christ in His teaching and lived out b Him; toward this end we are stirred by His Grace unto obedience.

79. Romans 3:23-24, 4:16, Ephesians 2:8, Titus 3:5-7

80. Exodus 20:1-17, Mark 10:19

81. Exodus 24:12, Romans 13:9-10

82. John 13:14-15, Hebrews 5:8-9

ARTICLE 19: Concerning Sanctification

We believe that all believers who are born again, justified and adopted are bound to grow in the likeness of Christ, as they cultivate their union with Him by thee indwelling of the Holy Spirit in them, and are advancing in obedience of the truth. This holy life is the fruit and proof of saving faith. The believer’s hope in this life is the grace of God. In relation to this growth believers are called to such a measure of maturity and assurance of faith, so that the love of God performs its full work in them.

83. Leviticus 11:44, Psalm 15:1-5, John 17:17-19

84. 1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 7:1

ARTICLE 20: Concerning Repentance and Faith

We believe that the Word of God urges us to get close to God, our Heavenly Father, only in the name of His son Jesus Christ, praying for ourselves and for others, so that we freely pour out our hearts before Him in a humble manner, as befits His dear children, attributing unto Him honour and praise as befits His Holy Name, asking Him to glorify Himself on earth and in heaven, confessing to Him our sins and asking from Him every useful gift for this life and for our eternal salvation; and that in so far as our every true prayer we are urged by His Spirit, He would answer us by granting to us every blessing according to His unsearchable wisdom and the riches of His grace in Christ Jesus.

85. John 14:13, 15:16

86. Colossians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:25, 2 Thessalonians 1:11, 2:13

87. 2 Samuel 7:27β, Acts 4:24, Hebrews 4:16

88. Psalm 113:1-3, Daniel 2:20

89. Matthew 6:12, Luke 11:2

90. Psalm 32:5, Proverbs 28:13, 1 John 1:9

91. Romans 8:26, Ephesians 6:18

92. Romans 2:4, 9:23, Ephesians1:7

ARTICLE 21: Concerning the Church

We recognise one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, thee innumerable grouping of believers of all times and from every nation, who by the Holy Spirit are united with Christ their Head, and comprise one body in Him, and have communion with their Lord and with each other. Consequently we accept that it is the will of Christ that His Church on earth exists as a visible and holy brotherhood comprising of those who confess faith in Jesus Christ and obedience in Him, together with their children as catechumeni, and organised as is laid out in the New Testament, toward the confession of the name of Christ, unto the common worship of God, unto the carrying out of the ceremonies, for the purpose of thee building up of the believers and for the spreading of the Gospel throughout the world. We recognise every Church anywhere in the world, which confesses such faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and obedience in Him as her Divine Lord, to be part of such Universal Church.

93. Ephesians1:22-23, 4:15, Colossians .1:18

94. 1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 John 1:3

95. Deuteronomy 4:9, 11:19, Acts 2:39, 1 Corinthians 7:14

96. Hebrews 10:25

97. Acts 2:42, 20:7

ARTICLE 22: Concerning the Ceremonies

We recognise two ceremonies – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper – which were instituted by Christ as signs and seals of the New Testament, sanctioned by His precious blood, and are moreover means of grace, through which not only is our faith in Him enlivened, but it also is strengthened and comforted; they also are regulated ceremonies (?) through the observance of which His Church is called to confess her Lord and to be visibly differentiated from the rest of the world.

Baptism is to be administered with clean water in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit on those who are adult, who have not been baptised during their infant years; is in place of confession of faith in Christ, or declares that the one baptised repents concerning his past and (επιζητεί) seeks forgiveness of his sins, or seals and assures salvation already received; and upon those who are under age is in place of their dedication unto the Lord on behalf of the parents; it is in any case their introduction in thee general circle of the disciples of Christ. This ceremony symbolises vividly the cleansing of thee soul from the stain of sin, which cleansing must be performed in a human being by the Holy Spirit, and this is that other Baptism which is spiritual and invisible, which can only be performed by Christ alone.

The Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist is the ceremony of communion with Christ and with His people, in which bread and wine is received in grateful remembrance of Him and of His sacrifice on the Cross. All those who receive these by faith partake of thee body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ unto comfort, nourishment and grow in grace. All who have made a public and sincere profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and are exercising obedience to His law, following self examination may come to the Lord’s Supper.

98. Romans 4:11

99. Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15-16, Acts 8:36-38

100. Acts2:38-39, 1 Corinthians 7:14

101. Matthew 3:11, John 1:33, Acts 11:15-17

102. Acts 16:15, 33

103. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

ARTICLE 23: Concerning Ministers

We believe that Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, has appointed in the Church office-bearers of the word and these ceremonies and calls whosoever He wishes unto this ministry; and that thee Church under thee guidance of the Holy Spirit recognises and elects those whom He calls, places hands upon them according to those guidelines determined in the Word of God, and dedicates such unto the work of the ministry.

104. Ephesians 1:22, 4:7, 11

105. Luke6:13, John 15:16, Ephesians4:7

106. Acts13:1-2, 6:6

107. Acts13:3, 2 Timothy 1:6, Titus.1:5

ARTICLE 24: Concerning the Second Coming

We believe with certainty that one day, known only to God, our Lord Jesus Christ will descend suddenly from heaven with power and much glory; we look forward to this our Saviour’s Second Coming as thee blessed expectation of His Church, which we must always look forward to with sober diligence and alertness, so that we shall be found ready before His presence.

108. Zechariah 4:7, Matthew 24:36, Mark 13:32

109. Matthew 24:30, Mark13:26

110. Matthew 24:42, 25:13, Mark 13:33

111. Matthew 24:44, 25:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:5

ARTICLE 25: Concerning the Resurrection

We believe that the souls of the just enter upon death into a condition of rest and happiness with the Lord; that there will be the resurrection of the dead, the righteous and the unrighteous, by the power of the Son of God; and that the bodies of all those who sleep in Christ as well as of those faithful living ones will, upon His coming, be transformed and become like unto His glorious body.

112. Luke 16:22, Philippians 1:21-23

113. John 5:28, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16

114. 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, Philippians 3:21

ARTICLE 26: Concerning Judgment

We believe that Go shall judge the world in righteousness through Jesus Christ, before thee judgment seat of Whom all must appear. He shall separate the righteous from the unrighteous and shall reveal the secrets of the heart, and will give unto every man according to his deeds which were done in the flesh; when this takes place, the unrighteous shall depart unto eternal hell, but the righteous to life everlasting.

115. Daniel 12:2, Matthew 25:46, John 5:29

116. Matthew 25:32, Romans 14:10, Acts 17:31

117. Matthew 13:49, John 5:29

118. Matthew 25:46, Revelations 20:12-15

ARTICLE 27: Concerning the mission of the Christians in the world and the final triumph.

We believe that it is our duty as disciples and servants of Christ to contribute in the advancement of His Kingdom, by being charitable toward all people, by maintaining the worship of God both in common with other Christians and within the home, by keeping the day of the Lord holy, by keeping the indissoluble of marriage and thee sanctity of the family, by supporting the just authority of the State, and so by living in all manner honourably, in purity and love so that our live should be a living testimony for Christ. We should readily accept the Word of Christ, who commanded His people to go and make disciples of all nations, declaring to them that God in Christ is reconciling the world unto Himself and that he wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. We believe with certainty that by His power and grace all His enemies shall be routed and that the kingdoms of this world shall become the Kingdom of our Lord and His Christ.

119. Matthew 24:14, 28:19-20

120. Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:31-36

121. Psalm 26:12, Acts 2:42, Hebrews 20:25

122. Exodus 20:8, Deuteronomy 5:12

123. Genesis 2:24, Matthew 29:5-6, Ephesians 5:33

124. Romans 13:1-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-2

125. Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15

126. Romans 3:24-26, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

127. John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9

ARTICLE 28: Concerning eternal life

Finally we believe and look forward to eternal life, in which those who are saved shall receive thee glorious inheritance the Kingdom of the Father, and shall be fully blessed in the presence and service of God, Whom they shall see and enjoy for ever and ever. Amen.

128. John 3:16, 36, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Revelations 11:15, 12:10

129. Matthew 25:34, Romans 8:17, 1 Peter 1:4

130. Job 19:25-27, John 17:24, 1 Corinthians 13:12