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Page 40 Chafer Theological Seminary Catalog 2009-2011
CHRISTOLOGY
The Study of Jesus Christ
The Incarnation. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God, became man without
ceasing to be God (John 1:1–2, 14).
The Virgin Birth. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:35).
His Substitutionary Death. He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a
substitutionary sacrifice for all men (1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:18–19).
His Resurrection. His literal bodily resurrection from the dead guarantees redemption forever (Luke 24:39;
Hebrews 10:9–14; 1 Peter 1:3–5).
His Present Session. The Lord Jesus Christ in His glorified body is now in Heaven, exalted at the right hand
of God the Father, where He presently fulfills the high priestly ministries of Representative, Intercessor, and
Advocate for His people (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1–2).
PNEUMATOLOGY
The Study of the Holy Spirit
His Salvation Work. We believe the Holy Spirit is a Person who convicts the world of sin, righteousness,
and judgment; that at the moment of salvation He regenerates and indwells all believers during this present
age, baptizes them into the body of Christ, seals them unto the day of redemption, and imparts to them at
least one spiritual gift for the good of all mankind (John 16:8–11; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:7, 12–14;
Ephesians 1:13–14).
His Postsalvation Work. The Spirit continues to minister to believers throughout their lives by comforting,
convicting, enabling, interceding on behalf of, leading, producing fruit in, sanctifying, teaching, and
witnessing to one’s human spirit. Each believer is commanded to walk by means of the Holy Spirit, but the
Spirit is grieved or quenched by acts of personal sin (John 16:12–15; Acts 9:31; Romans 8:14, 16, 26; 9:1;
Galatians 5:16–18, 22–23; Ephesians 3:16–20; 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19).
Spiritual Gifts. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to every believer. These gifts are God-given abilities
that Christians should employ to serve one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. God used
some spiritual gifts (such as apostleship, miracles, tongues, healings, and prophecy) that were temporary in
nature as signs to unbelieving Jews and as a validation of the New Testament message and its messengers.
The sign gifts legitimately functioned until the completion of the canon of Scripture, ceasing by the end of
the first century (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:7–11, 28–30; 13:8–10; 14:21–22; Ephesians 2:20; 4:11;
Hebrews 2:3b–4; 1 Peter 4:10).
ANGELOLOGY
The Study of Angels
Existence. We believe in the existence of a superior creation called angels now divided into two categories:
elect and fallen. Fallen angels (demons) are enemies of God and all people; they further divide into two
classes: imprisoned and free (Mark 8:38; 1 Timothy 4:1; 5:21; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6).
Angelic Conflict. The Bible reveals a conflict between Satan and his forces (the fallen angels) and Michael,
an archangel, and the elect angelic forces. This conflict has real impact on Christians, and thus, they are to