WHAT WE BELIEVE AND TEACH ABOUT GOD'S PROVISION FOR MAN'S SALVATION

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.

While We, the Holiness People, believe it to be true that by reason of its sin the race of which we are a part left to itself is irrevocably lost, we believe also that God has provided a way back to Himself for all men. Through the atoning sacrifice of His incarnate Son, all who will come to Him in repentance and faith may be saved. Further, they may become fully assured of this fact when it is made real within them. John 1:12; 3:16; 5:24; Rom. 8:15.

We believe that a full redemption has been provided by God in the Person of Jesus Christ through the blood of His Cross.

"Having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself." Col. 1:20.

This we regard as the only ground of our confidence, and trust as the only hope of our safety. We claim no personal merit and have no good works to plead. It is "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us." Titus 3:5. It is only by grace that men are saved, through faith; not of themselves, it is the gift of God; not of works lest any man should boast. Eph. 2:8, 9.

We believe that our acceptance with God is assured through the merits of His crucified, risen and exalted Son.

"He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." Eph. 1:6, 7.

We know no other way of access to God except by a complete renunciation of sin and a simple faith in the atoning merits of Jesus Christ. With an earlier writer, we boldly declare:

"Had I a Seraph's righteousness I'd throw aside that glorious dress And wrap me up in Christ."

We believe that our security in Christ is guaranteed by His present High Priestly ministry of intercession in the Glory and governed by our abiding life in Him.

"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Heb. 7:25.

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." John 10:27, 28.

Here is security indeed -- co-operate security, having of necessity two distinctive sides. It is certified on the one hand by His power and willingness to keep, and conditioned on the other by our continued willingness to be kept. There is no place in the scheme of Redemption where man's free moral agency is not respected. Concerning the kept ones, two things are stated: They hear His voice; and they follow Him. As these conditions are fulfilled, the Divine Keeper is declared to do the rest. Imperfect as the best among men may be and measured by the absolute standards of a holy God, imperfect as we ever shall be until we see Him face to face His blood cleanses and His grace much more abounds.