IPHC Doctrinal Amplification Page Two

We believe that through faith in Christ we have eternal life (John 3:14-16, 36); and that Christ has prepared a place for His own in Heaven (John 14:1-3). This is a "portion of the reward of the righteous," though "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). Dreadful as this truth may seem, we believe, and must so believe because of the consistent teaching of God's Word, that "everlasting banishment from the presence of the Lord and unending torture (or punishment) in hell is the wages of the persistently wicked" (Psalm 9:17; Matthew 5:22, 29, 30; 18:9; 23:33; 25:41, 46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:23-25; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9; Revelation 14:9-11; 20:11-15; 21:7, 8).

We believe in the efficacy and sufficiency of the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins committed in the past: for the regeneration, or new birth from above, of penitent sinners, and for salvation or deliverance from sin and sinning (Matthew 26:28; Luke 22:20; Acts 20:28; Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; 2:13; Colossians 1:14, 20; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5; 5:9; 1 John 2:1; 3:5-10; 5:18; Romans 6:22; 7:24, 25; 8:1-4).

We believe, teach and firmly maintain the scriptural doctrine of justification by faith alone (Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:4-7). We do not believe that any sort or degree of good works can procure or contribute toward our justification or salvation. This is accomplished solely and exclusively upon the basis of our faith in the shed blood, the resurrection and justifying righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 4:23-25; 5:1-11, 20; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). But we do believe in good works as a fruit or product of salvation. We are not saved by, but unto, good works (Ephesians 2:10). When we believe on Jesus Christ as our Savior, our sins are pardoned, we are justified and enter a state of righteousness, not our own, but His, both imputed and imparted (Romans 4:22, 25; 8:1-4).

We believe that Jesus Christ shed His blood, not alone for our justification and the forgiveness of actual transgressions, but also for the "complete cleansing of the justified believer from all indwelling sin and from its pollution, and that this transaction takes place subsequent to (or after) regeneration (the new birth) (Acts 26:18; Ephesians 5:25-27; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 9:13, 14; 10:10, 14-22; 13:11, 12; 1 John 1:7, 9). This is the negative side of sanctification-the cleansing or taking away of the sin principle-the circumcision of the heart so as to make it possible for us to love the Lord our God with all our heart and soul (Deuteronomy 30:6). It is the crucifixion of the "old man" (Romans 6:6; Ephesians 4:22-24; Galatians 2:20), the destruction of the "carnal mind" (Romans 8:5-10), the purging of the fruit-bearing branch so "that it may bring forth more fruit" (John 15:2). It is the "cleansing from all sin"- "from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:7, 9).