Former Adventists Philippines Statement of Faith #1: The Doctrine of the Bible

Article I—The Doctrine of the Bible

Preamble:

We, the Former Adventists Philippines, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ and witnesses to the transforming power of the Gospel, hereby declare and affirm our faith in accordance with the sacred Scriptures. Acknowledging the authority of the Word of God as the supreme and final standard for doctrine and life, we humbly submit to its teachings and joyfully confess its truth. In the spirit of unity with the historic, apostolic, and orthodox Christian faith, we present this statement as a testimony of our convictions, to the glory of God and the edification of His Church.

Section 1—The Holy Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Scriptures, comprising the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, are the divinely inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God in their original manuscripts. The Scriptures are θεόπνευστος (theopneustos, "God-breathed"), as affirmed in 2 Timothy 3:16, and are thus the authoritative, final, and sufficient rule of faith and life for God’s people. The Old Testament declares, “The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul” (Psalm 19:7, תּוֹרַת יְהוָה תְּמִימָה, torat YHWH temimah), testifying to the enduring perfection of God's Word.

Section 2—The Nature of Inspiration

We affirm that the inspiration of Scripture is verbal and plenary, extending equally to all parts of the Bible. This divine inspiration did not override the human authors’ personalities or literary styles but supernaturally superintended their writings so that what they wrote was the very Word of God. The Apostle Peter testifies that “no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along (φερόμενοι, pheromenoi) by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).

Section 3—The Sufficiency and Clarity of Scripture

We hold that the Bible is sufficient and clear in all matters pertaining to salvation, doctrine, and Christian living. Jesus prayed, “Your word is truth” (John 17:17, ὁ λόγος ὁ σὸς ἀλήθειά ἐστιν, ho logos ho sos aletheia estin). Paul likewise taught that “the sacred writings... are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). We reject the necessity of any modern extra-biblical revelation, affirming that the Scriptures alone (sola Scriptura) are the final, sufficient authority for the Church.

Section 4—Historical Witness

From the earliest days, the Church recognized the Scriptures as the authoritative Word of God. Clement of Rome (c. A.D. 95) frequently cites both Old and New Testament writings as divinely authoritative in 1 Clement.¹ The Muratorian Fragment (c. A.D. 170) lists most New Testament books as canonical, reflecting the early church’s discernment of inspired writings.² The Council of Carthage (A.D. 397) confirmed the sixty-six-book canon, thereby ratifying what the universal church had long received.³

Section 5—Commitment and Confession

Therefore, we, the Former Adventists Philippines, confess the Scriptures alone as God’s written, authoritative, and sufficient revelation to humanity. We affirm that the Word of God stands eternally true: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8, דְּבַר־אֱלֹהֵינוּ יָקוּם לְעוֹלָם, devar Eloheinu yakum le’olam). We solemnly commit ourselves to the diligent study, faithful proclamation, and obedient living according to the Scriptures.

FAP Confessional Commitment:

"We believe in the Holy Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, as the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. They are God-breathed, sufficient, and final in authority for faith and life. We confess that the Bible is clear, trustworthy, and eternally true, preserved by God’s providence. The Scriptures alone, not tradition nor modern prophecy, are our supreme rule of faith and practice. As the Word of God endures forever, we joyfully receive, proclaim, and obey it."

Footnotes:

1. Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians, c. A.D. 95, in The Apostolic Fathers, trans. Bart D. Ehrman (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003), 47–99.

2. Bruce M. Metzger, The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development, and Significance (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1987), 191–201.

3. Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, vol. 3, Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity, A.D. 311–600 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1910), 608.

Approved by:

Former Adventists Philippines Council of Elders

Date: June 15, 2025