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Outline of Bible Doctrine

OUTLINE OF BIBLE DOCTRINE

INTRODUCTION

Attitudes Toward Biblical Authority:

  1. Orthodox:  Believes (a) in the supernatural inspiration of Bible and (b) the Bible alone is the  sole ground of authority.  [NOTE:  Position of SBC and most evangelical churches]
  2. Rationalism:  Denies any supernatural revelation.
  3. Romanticism:  The Bible is the product of the church and not the sole ground of authority.
  4. Mysticism:  Experience is authoritative along with the Bible.
  5. Neo-orthodoxy:  The Bible is the fallible witness to the revelation of God.
  6. Cults:  Writings of cult leaders or founders (e.g., Joseph Smith's Book of Mormon) are equally authoritative.  

Canonicity:

1. Fundamentals considerations:  (a) The Bible is self-authenticating and church councils have only recognized the authority inherent in the book themselves; and (b) God guided the councils so that the canon was recognized. 

2. Canon of the OT:  The NT affirms and refers to the OT as "Scripture" (see, Matt 21:42; 22:29; and 23:35, which is the equivalent of saying Scripture is from Genesis to Malachi). 

3. Canon of the NT-Four Tests: 

      (a)  Apostolicity:  Written by or backed by an Apostle;

      (b)  Content:  Contains sufficient spiritual character;

      (c)  Universality:  Has received wide acceptance; and

      (d)  Inspiration:   Possesses internal evidence of inspiration.

THE BIBLE DOCTRINES

I.  The Doctrine of God

      A.  The Existence of God

      B.  The Attributes of God

      C.  The Names of God

      D.  The Decree of God

      E.   The Trinity

      F.   The Father 

II.  The Doctrine of Christ

      A.   His Preexistence

      B.   His Incarnation

      C.   His Humanity

      D.   His Diety

      E.   His Earthly Life

      F.   The Kenosis

      G.  His Impeccability (sinlessness)

      H.  His Death

      I.    His Resurrection

      J.   His Ascension

III. The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

      A.  The Personality of the Spirit

      B.  The Diety of the Spirit

      C.  The Procession of the Spirit

      D.  The Work of the Spirit in the OT

      E.   The Work of the Spirit in Revelation and Inspiration

      F.   The Work of the Spirit in the Life of Christ

      G.  The Work of the Spirit in Salvation

      H.  The Gifts of the Spirit

      I.    The Filling of the Spirit

      J.    Other Ministries of the Spirit

      K.   The Work of the Spirit in the Future

IV. The Doctrine of Angels

     A.   The Existence of Angels

     B.   The Creation of Angels

     C.   The Personality of Angels

     D.   The Nature of Angels

     E.   Organization of the Angels

     F.   The Ministries of Angels   

V. The Doctrine of Satan

     A.   The Existence of Satan

     B.   The Personality of Satan

     C.   The Nature of Satan

     D.   The Original State and Fall of Satan

     E.   Satan's Judgments 

     F.   The Work of Satan

     G.  The Defense of the Believer Against Satan

VI. The Doctrine of Demons

     A.   Origin of Demons

     B.   Characteristics of Demons

     C.   Activity of Demons

     D.  Demon Possession

     E.   Destination of Demons

VII. The Doctrine of Man

     A.   The Origin of Man

     B.   The Material Part of Man (Body)

     C.   The Immaterial Part of Man (Soul and Spirit)

     D.   The Fall of Man

VIII. The Doctrine of Sin

     A.   The Origin of Sin

     B.   The Definition of Sin

     C.   Personal Sin

Doctrine of Sin-Cont'd

     D.   The Sin Nature

     E.   Imputed Sin

     F.   Sin in the Christian's Life 

IX. The Doctrine of Salvation

     A.   The Doctrine of Election

     B.   The Death of Christ

     C.   The Work of the Holy Spirit

     D.   The Blessings of Salvation

     E.   The Condition for Salvation

X.  The Doctrine of the Church

     A.  The Meaning of the Concept of the Church

     B.  The Local Church

     C.  The Universal Church

XI. The Doctrine of Future Things

     A.   The Second Coming of Christ

     B.   The Rapture of the Church

     C.   The Tribulation

     D.   The Millennium

     E.    The Future Judgments

     F.    The Resurrections