Who We Are
STATEMENT OF FAITH
Article 1 - The Bible
We hold and teach that all 66 books of the Bible, both the Old and the New Testament, are the inspired Word of God[1], written by men who were under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit[2]. The Scriptures are infallible[3] and without error in their original writings. It is our highest authority against all other authorities, and it is sufficient for salvation, godliness, and ministry.[4]
Article 2 - The One Triune God
We believe and teach that there is only one true God who exists eternally in three Persons[5] – God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit. Each Person is fully and equally God, worthy of worship, prayers, and obedience. The Triune God is the Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, Sovereign Ruler, and Judge of all.[6]
2.1 God the Father
God the Father is fully God. He is the Father of all humanity and is the spiritual Father of those who are adopted by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.[7]
2.2. God the Son
Jesus Christ, God the Son, is fully God–coequal, consubstantial, coeternal with the Father. The Father eternally begets the Son. Through Him all things were made, and for Him they exist. In His incarnation, He took on full humanity while remaining fully divine. Jesus lived a sinless life, fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, and is the one and only Savior.[8]
2.3 God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is fully God–coequal, consubstantial, coeternal with the Father and the Son. He inspired the Prophets and the Apostles in all truth as they wrote the Scriptures. He regenerates people’s hearts and indwells believers, convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, illuminates the Scriptures, points them to the saving work of Christ, and seals them until they reach glorification.[9]
Article 3 - Humanity
3.1 Made in the image of God
We believe and teach that all humanity, regardless of their race or ethnicity, were created by God in His image to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever.[10] God created humanity as male and female, both with equal dignity, worth, and honor. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, were commissioned to image God by being fruitful, multiplying, filling the earth, subduing it, and having dominion.[11] This commission was further developed by Christ to make disciples of all nations. God has given specific roles for men and women that complement each other as they fulfill God’s mandate.
3.2 Made as Male or Female
We believe and affirm that God creates each person as male or female, as divinely and biologically identified and imparted from conception. Humans as mere creatures do not possess the right to redefine or reject their God-given sex; to do so is rebellion and deserving of judgment.[12]
Article 4 - The Fall
We believe and teach that through Adam’s disobedience, all humanity fell into sin. All people are now born spiritually dead, with uncircumcised hearts inclined toward sin, and in their unrighteousness they consciously and willingly suppress the truth, rebel against God, and are therefore subject to God’s holy and just wrath.[13]
Article 5 - The Only Way of Salvation
We believe and teach that Jesus is the only way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him.[14] God the Father, in His sovereign love, planned salvation and sent His Son. God the Son, Jesus Christ, accomplished salvation through His life, death, and resurrection. God the Holy Spirit applies salvation, bringing us to faith and transforming us. Salvation cannot be earned by good works. Salvation is only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.[15] Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life,[16] fulfilled the Law and the Prophets,[17] took our sin, died on the cross our behalf[18], and on the third day rose again defeating sin and death[19], and is now seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for those who believe[20]–and there is no name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved[21], for God so loved the world that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.[22]
Article 6 - The Unbreakable Chain of Salvation
We believe and teach that God has chosen some people to be saved, and he will preserve them until they attain glorification, ultimately to the praise of God’s glorious grace.[23]
6.1 Election and Predestination
We believe and teach that in God’s providential, wise plan, he predestined and elected some people to be adopted to Himself before the foundation of the world.[24]
6.2 Effectual Call and Regeneration
We believe and teach that in God’s providential, wise plan, he effectually calls those whom he has predestined[25]by giving them a new heart and the Holy Spirit, causing them to repent from their sin, and believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ as they pursue faith-based obedience.[26]
6.3 Justification and Sanctification
We believe and teach that upon regeneration, believers are justified–declared right with God–and positionally sanctified.[27] And yet, throughout the believer’s life, the Holy Spirit progressively sanctifies him, making him more and more like Christ as he progressively mortifies any lingering sin.
6.4 Glorification
We believe and teach that God will preserve the faith of the believers, and they will persevere in this life. They will continue to trust in Christ and will never truly abandon the faith until they reach glorification. Once a person is saved, there is nothing and no one that could snatch him away from the hand of Jesus and the Father.[28]
Article 7 - The Church
We teach that the Church is the household of God, the body of Christ, and His bride whom he purchased with His own blood. It consists of all believers across all time and is expressed locally through local congregations. The church began on the day of Pentecost and continues to be established throughout generations; its ministries are to be defined and driven by the Scriptures to reflect Christ in the world and bring Him glory.[29]
7.1 Christ as the Chief Shepherd
Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd, and he alone possesses full and final authority over the church.
7.2 Elders (also called Pastors or Overseers) as the under-shepherd
The Holy Spirit appoints a plurality of elders whose calling, biblical qualifications[30], and giftings, are assessed, prayed for, and affirmed by their local church. Their primary tasks are to care, lead, and shepherd the church through prayer and the ministry of the Word. They also ought to protect the flock against false teachings. We believe and teach that only men are called to be elders. Scripture is clear that women are not permitted to teach and to exercise authority over the church.[31]
7.3 Deacons
Deacons are servants. They assist the elders in providing logistical, administrative, and ministry support under the oversight of the elders and the church. We believe and teach that both men and women can be deacons.[32]
7.4 Members
Members are covenanted believers who have committed to building one another up according to Scripture’s ‘one another’ commands. They use their God-given giftings and skills to serve their particular local church in the work of the ministry.
7.5 The Gathering of the Church
The church gathers physically and regularly, especially on the Lord’s day for corporate singing, corporate prayers, Scripture readings, expository preaching, corporate giving, and the Lord’s Supper.
Article 8 - Baptism and The Lord’s Supper
We believe and teach believers’ Baptism by immersion as a sign and a public testimony of faith in Christ’s death and resurrection. Baptism is ordinarily followed by inclusion into the membership of a local church. Baptism does not save. In Baptism, we publicly declare our union with Christ and with the church.
We believe and teach that the Lord’s Supper is a sign and meal for believers, practiced within the gathering of the local church. In it, we look back to Christ’s finished work—His life, death, and resurrection—and look forward to His return.[33]
Article 9 - Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society and that officials are to be prayed for and conscientiously honored. They are to be obeyed except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience and the Prince of the kings of the earth.[34]
Article 10 - The New Heavens and The New Earth
We believe and teach that on the last day, Christ will return to earth and raise the dead for final judgment. All who have rejected Christ will face everlasting, conscious punishment in the lake of fire, according to their deeds. All who, by grace through faith, are united to Christ will enter everlasting and ever-increasing joy in the presence of God. After this, God will bring the new heaven and new earth. He will dwell with His people, and they will be His own. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain, for the former things have passed away. God’s people will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign with Him forever and ever.[35]
Bible references:
[1] 2 Timothy 3:16
[2] 2 Peter 1:20-21
[3] John 10:35, Matthew 5:18, Luke 16:17
[4] 2 Timothy 3:16-17
[5] Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 45:5-7, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 13:14
[6] Psalm 103:19, Acts 4:24-28: 17:24-26
[7] Genesis 1:1, Acts:17-24-26
[8] John 1:1,14,18; 17:24, Colossians 1:15-20, Philippians 2:5-7
[9] Genesis 1:2, Matthew 28:19, 2 Peter 1:21, John 16:7-14
[10] Genesis 1:26-28; 3:8, Revelation 22:3-5
[11] Genesis 1:26-28
[12] Job 3:3, Psalm 139:13-14, 1 Corinthians 11:3-15, Leviticus 18:22, Deuteronomy 22:5, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
[13] Genesis 3:6-19; 6:5, Deuteronomy 10:16, Romans 1:18; 5:12,14,18-19, Ephesians 2:1-3
[14] John 14:6
[15] Ephesians 2:8-10
[16] 2 Corinthians 5:21
[17] Matthew 5:17
[18] Colossians 2:14
[19] Matthew 28:6
[20] Romans 8:34
[21] Acts 4:12
[22] John 3:16
[23] Romans 8:28-30
[24] Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:4-6
[25] Romans 8:30
[26] Ezekiel 36:26-27, cf; John 3:3-15
[27] 1 Corinthians 6:11, Hebrews 10:14, Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Ephesians 4:20-24
[28] John 10:27-29, Romans 8:30
[29] Acts 2:1-21; 6:1-7; 20:28, Ephesians 3:8-13, 1 Timothy 3:1-13,14-15,
[30] 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9
[31] 1 Timothy 2:11-15
[32] 1 Timothy 3:8-13
[33] Matt 28:19; Acts 8:12; Rom 6:4; 1 Cor 11:23–26; Luke 22:14–20
[34] Rom 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:13-14, Deut. 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Tim 2:1–8; Dan 3:15–18; Rev 19:16
[35]Acts 1:11; Luke 14:14; John 5:27–29; Matt 25:31–41; Rev 1:7; 20:11-15, 21-22
OUR COVENANT
By the grace of our Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who has saved us and united us as Providence Church Dubai, we now, by His help, enter into this covenant together.
1. We commit to seek God daily in prayer and in His Word.
2. We commit to honor Christ by fighting sin and resting in His grace.
3. We commit to disciple our children and youth in the instructions of the Lord.
4. We commit to pray for and pursue the salvation of those around us.
5. We commit to pray for our elders, deacons, and fellow members.
6. We commit to preserve the unity, peace, and purity of this church.
7. We commit to love one another through patience, forgiveness, encouragement, help, discipleship, and loving accountability.
8. We commit to gathering weekly for corporate worship.
9. We commit to uphold:
• The expositional preaching of God’s Word
• The right practice of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
• Biblical membership and church discipline
10. We commit to give cheerfully and generously for the ministry of the church, the care of the local church body, and the advance of the gospel to all nations.
11. We commit that if God moves us elsewhere, we will join a healthy church where we can continue to grow and serve.
12. We commit to proclaim Christ to all nations.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all as we walk in this covenant to one another. Amen.