God and His Revelation - Creation, Man and Sin - Christ and Redemption - Justification by Faith - Good Works and Prayer - The Means of Grace - The Church and its Ministry - The Church and the State - Jesus' Return and the Judgment


Good Works and Prayer

  1. We believe that faith in Jesus Christ is a living force within the Christian that will invariably produce works which are pleasing to God. "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17). A Christian as a branch in Christ the Vine brings forth good fruit (John 15:5).

  2. We believe that faith does not set up its own standards to determine what is pleasing to God (Matthew 15:9). True faith, instructed by the Word of God, delights to do only that which conforms to the holy will of God. It recognizes that God's will finds its fulfillment in perfect love, for "love is the fulfillment of the law" (Romans 13:10).

  3. We believe that these works which are fruits of faith must be distinguished from works of civic righteousness performed by unbelievers. When unbelievers perform works that outwardly appear as good and upright before men, these works are not good in God's sight, for "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). While we recognize the value of mere civic righteousness for human society, we know that the unbeliever through his works of civic righteousness cannot even begin to do his duty to God.

  4. We believe that in this world even the best works of a Christian are still tainted with sin. The flesh, the old Adam, still afflicts the Christian so that he fails to do the good he wants to do, and does the evil he does not want to do (Romans 7:19). He must confess that all his righteousnesses are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). For the sake of Christ, however, these imperfect efforts of Christians are graciously considered holy and acceptable by our heavenly Father.

  5. We believe that also a life of prayer is a fruit of faith. Confidently, through faith in their Savior, Christians address the heavenly Father in petition and praise, presenting their needs and giving thanks. Such prayers are a delight to our God, and He will grant our petitions according to His wisdom.

  6. We reject every thought that the good works of Christians contribute toward gaining salvation.

  7. We reject every attempt to abolish the unchanging law of God as an absolute standard by which to measure man's conduct.

  8. We reject the view that man himself in every situation must determine what "love" demands. We recognize this as a device of Satan to destroy the knowledge of God's holy Will and to undermine the consciousness of sin.

  9. We reject any view that considers prayer a means of grace or that looks upon it as helpful simply because of its psychological effect upon the one who prays.

  10. We reject the view that all prayers are acceptable to God, and we hold the prayers of all who do not know Christ, to be vain babblings addressed to false gods.
This is what Scripture teaches about good works and prayer.
This we believe, teach and confess.


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