DOCTRINAL VIEWS

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FOREKNOWLEDGE

 

Simple Foreknowledge is the idea that God knows everything, including future events, but this knowledge doesn't determine those events. Supporters argue that human freedom and God’s foreknowledge can coexist because God knowing something will happen doesn't cause it to happen. Instead, God knows the event because it will happen. The event itself is logically prior to God's knowledge of it. This is like seeing a shadow before the person casting it comes around a corner—the shadow doesn't cause the person to appear; the person causes the shadow. Similarly, God's foreknowledge is like seeing the foreshadowing of future events. This foreknowledge doesn't take away human freedom. If events were to happen differently, God's foreknowledge would reflect that. Another analogy is an infallible barometer predicting the weather. The barometer doesn't cause the weather; it accurately predicts it based on current conditions. Thus, God’s foreknowledge is like an infallible barometer of the future. It shows what the future will be, but it doesn't influence or determine it. The future unfolds according to the choices of free moral agents, and God's knowledge aligns with those choices.

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THE SCRIPTURES

 

The Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God, written by authors who were moved along by the Holy Spirit. As 2 Timothy 3:16 states, the Scriptures are "God-breathed" (Greek: Theopneustos), ensuring divine inspiration. Additionally, in 2 Peter 1:21, it is explained that prophecy never had its origin in human will, but prophets spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (Greek: Pheromenoi hypo pneumatos hagiou). The original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, in which the Scriptures were written, are absolutely inerrant. An excellent literal translation faithfully reflects these original texts, maintaining the integrity and infallibility of God's Word. These original languages, along with a carefully restored critical text and a reliable literal translation, ensure that the Scriptures make no mistakes and are never wrong in any aspect they address, including history, science, geography, and geology. This unwavering accuracy confirms the absolute truth of its teachings and the divine guidance behind its authorship.

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THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

At CPH, we believe in the one true God who reveals Himself in three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We uphold the doctrine of the Trinity, affirming that God is simultaneously one in essence and three in persons, undivided yet distinct. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three distinct persons (hypostases) who share the same divine essence (ousia), existing eternally as uncreated and immaterial. This profound mystery of faith expresses the unity and diversity within the Godhead.

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HUMANITY AND REDEMPTION

 

CPH believes that humanity is inherently fallen due to sin, but the good news is that Christ came to pay the penalty for sin on the cross. This penalty, now paid in full, means God offers forgiveness and new life as a free gift. As stated in Romans 3:23-24, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." This foundational belief underscores the grace and mercy extended to all through Jesus Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection.

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SALVATION IS A JOURNEY, NOT A STATE

 

CPH believes that a true born-again Christian's salvation is a path or a journey that begins the moment one accepts Christ and continues until their death or until Christ brings the last enemy, death, to nothing. Philippians 1:6 supports this, stating, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." This journey involves continual growth and sanctification, guided by the Holy Spirit.

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HEAVEN AND ETERNAL DESTRUCTION

 

CPH believes in the existence of a real heaven and the concepts of Sheol and Hades, which refer to eternal destruction. Those who have been saved will live eternally with God, as promised in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Conversely, those who die without being saved will face eternal destruction, as described in Matthew 25:46, "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." The Greek noun (κόλασις kolasis) refers to eternal cutting off, from life. Lit lopping off, pruning.

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VIEWPOINT ON DEATH

 

CPH views death as the cessation of all functions of life, the opposite of life. Deuteronomy 30:15, 19 states, "See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction... Now choose life, so that you and your children may live." The Bible uses the same terms for death in humans, animals, and plants, emphasizing the vital function of blood in maintaining life (Leviticus 17:11, 14). Death follows the loss of the spirit of life (Ecclesiastes 3:19).

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HELLFIRE

 

CPH's viewpoint on hellfire is that the word "hell" in many Bible translations refers to Sheol or Hades, the common grave of dead mankind, and Gehenna, a symbol of eternal destruction. This is supported by Revelation 20:14, "Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death." Hell is not a place of torment but a state of eternal separation from God.

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THE SOUL

 

CPH believes that in the Bible, the term "soul" (Hebrew: nephesh; Greek: psyche) refers to a person or an animal or the life they enjoy. Genesis 2:7 states, "Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being (nephesh)." This understanding contrasts with the view that the soul is an immaterial part of a human that survives death.

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THE SPIRIT

 

CPH's viewpoint on the spirit is that the Hebrew word ruach and the Greek pneuma, often translated as "spirit," refer to various concepts, including wind, the life-force in creatures, and the Holy Spirit. John 3:8 illustrates this, "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

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SALVATION

 

CPH believes that God the Father provides salvation through His Son, delivering believers from sin and death. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Salvation is by faith alone in Jesus Christ, with works demonstrating genuine faith.

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THE RANSOM

 

CPH believes that the most significant ransom price is the shed blood of Jesus Christ. 1 Timothy 2:6 states, "who gave himself as a ransom for all people." Jesus' sacrifice opens the way for humanity to be delivered from sin and death inherited from Adam.

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RECONCILIATION

 

CPH believes in reconciliation, the bringing together of God and humanity through Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 states, "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."

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ATONEMENT

 

CPH believes that atonement is the work of Christ, particularly His death, which restores fellowship between believers and God. Romans 5:11 states, "Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."

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ACCESS TO GOD'S TRUTH

 

CPH believes that all people have equal access to God's revelation of truth through the careful study of the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

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THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

 

CPH believes in the literal Second Coming of Christ when God will judge the wicked, the righteous, and the unrighteous. Revelation 22:12 states, "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done."

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THE UNEVANGELIZED

 

CPH believes that the unevangelized, those who have not had the opportunity to hear the gospel, will be judged by God, who knows their hearts and intentions. John 5:29 states, "and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned." These individuals will have an opportunity during the millennium to act on God's Word.

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WATER BAPTISM

 

At CPH, we believe that baptism, derived from the Greek word "ba·ptiʹzein" meaning "to dip" or "to plunge," is a critical outward symbol of one's complete dedication to God through Jesus Christ.

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NO INFANT BAPTISM

 

We affirm that baptism should be reserved for those who can make a conscious decision to follow Christ. Scriptural precedents, such as hearing, believing, and repenting before baptism (Acts 2:14, 22, 38, 41), indicate that these actions are prerequisites, which infants are incapable of performing. Instances of household baptisms (e.g., Cornelius, Lydia, the Philippian jailer, Crispus, and Stephanas) are often cited to support infant baptism. However, those baptized in these households were capable of hearing the word, receiving the Holy Spirit, and expressing belief, activities that infants cannot do (Acts 10:44-46; 16:14, 31-34; 18:8). Paul's reference to children being "holy" by a believing parent (1 Corinthians 7:14) does not imply infant baptism but rather indicates that these children benefit from the parent's faith.

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COMPLETE IMMERSION

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Baptism, as practiced in the early church, involves complete immersion in water. Biblical examples include Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River (Mark 1:10; Matthew 3:13, 16), John baptizing in a location with ample water (John 3:23), and the Ethiopian eunuch's baptism in a body of water (Acts 8:36-40). These instances clearly indicate full immersion, symbolizing a burial and resurrection with Christ (Romans 6:4-6; Colossians 2:12). Historical evidence supports this practice, with early Christian texts and traditions affirming immersion as the mode of baptism.

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THE AUTONOMY AND STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH

 

Christian Publishing House (CPH) firmly believes in the autonomy of each local church, recognizing that every congregation should govern itself independently under the lordship of Jesus Christ. This principle of self-governance ensures that each church can respond to the unique spiritual needs of its community. However, autonomy does not imply isolation. We also affirm the necessity of a structured collaboration among churches to effectively carry out the Great Commission. Jesus commanded His followers to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). Additionally, Jesus foretold the global proclamation of the gospel in Matthew 24:14, stating, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Furthermore, Acts 1:8 emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to be His witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Therefore, while each church is autonomous, a cooperative structure is essential for fulfilling Christ’s mandate.

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OUR ALLEGIANCE TO CHRIST AND THE WORD OF GOD

 

CPH does not adhere to the teachings or doctrines of any single human leader such as Calvin, Arminius, Wesley, Luther, or any other historical figures. While we respect and learn from the contributions of these individuals to Christian thought, our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus Christ and the authoritative Word of God. As it is written, "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11). We are committed to following Christ alone, as He is "the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6), and we uphold the Bible as the inspired, infallible, and sufficient guide for all matters of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

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THE LORD'S SUPPER

 

CPH holds that the Lord's Supper, also known as Communion, is a profound memorial of the death of Jesus Christ. This sacrament, instituted by Christ Himself, serves as a powerful reminder of His sacrifice on the cross for our sins. As the Apostle Paul wrote, "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26). Through the partaking of the bread and the cup, believers reflect on the body and blood of Christ, given for the redemption of humanity (Luke 22:19-20).

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EQUALITY AND ROLES IN THE CHURCH AND FAMILY

 

CPH believes in the fundamental equality of all humans before God, affirming that every person is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and is equally valuable in His sight. However, we also recognize the distinct roles assigned by Scripture within the family and the church. The Bible teaches that the husband is to be the head of the household, leading with love and humility, as Christ leads the church (Ephesians 5:23). Additionally, we believe that the leadership roles within the church are reserved for men, as outlined in passages such as 1 Timothy 2:12-14 and 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. This structure is not about superiority or inferiority but about fulfilling God’s ordained order for His people.

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WOMEN CANNOT BE PASTORS, DEACONS, OR TAKE THE LEAD IN THE CHURCH

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The Bible provides clear directives regarding the roles of women in church leadership and teaching. Specifically, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 instructs women to "keep silent in the churches" and not to speak, but to be submissive, as the law also says. Furthermore, 1 Timothy 2:12 explicitly states, "I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet." This scripture is often interpreted to mean that women should not hold positions where they would be considered authoritative teachers or leaders over men, such as pastors or deacons. Additionally, the qualifications for overseers and deacons listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are given in the context of male gender, using terms like "husband of one wife," indicating these roles were intended for men. This arrangement, as outlined in the Bible, creates a structured order within the church where men are designated to lead and teach in congregational settings, whereas women are encouraged to engage in other significant ministries like evangelizing and teaching other women or children.

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MARRYING IN THE LORD

 

CPH upholds the biblical principle that believers are to marry only within the faith. This conviction is grounded in the apostolic teaching found in 2 Corinthians 6:14, which warns against being "unequally yoked with unbelievers." Marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God, and it is essential that both partners share a common faith in Christ to build a strong and spiritually unified household. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7:39, "A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord." This ensures that the marriage honors God and that the couple can support each other in their spiritual growth and service to the Lord.​​