Faith Statement
The Faith Statement stands as a cornerstone, endorsed by the Board of Trustees, upon which Barber-Scotia College’s modern ethos is built.
Scripture – Every word of the sixty-six (66) canonical books within the Old and New Testaments, stemming from divine inspiration, possesses an unassailable authority and is devoid of error. Its historical narrative, encompassing creation, the fall, the divine curse, the global deluge, and the origins of nations and languages, is affirmed.
The Triune God – An eternal, transcendent, omnipotent, and personal Godhead exists as a unified entity. Comprising three distinct persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – they form a singular entity equal in power and glory.
The Father – The first persona within the Godhead, the Father, is an infinite spirit characterized by sovereignty, eternality, and unchanging attributes. Deserving of all reverence and obedience, the Father garners these from His creation and its inhabitants.
The Son – The second persona, Jesus Christ, epitomizes the only begotten Son of the Father. He is both impeccably sinless in humanity and the absolute embodiment of the Father’s full deity. This unique fusion of divine and human natures, achieved through miraculous conception and virgin birth, is a testament to His profound identity.
The Holy Spirit – The third persona, the Holy Spirit, serves as a divine force convicting, regenerating, and dwelling within believers in Christ. This presence seals the bond between the faithful and their faith. Additionally, the Holy Spirit imparts spiritual gifts to believers, although the manifestation of any particular gift isn’t mandatory as proof of salvation.
Redemption – The redemption of humanity is attainable due to the substitutionary and redeeming sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection, followed by His bodily ascension, provide the means for redemption.
Salvation – Personal salvation from the eternal consequences of sin is solely a product of God’s grace, not human effort. This salvation is established on the foundation of Christ’s atoning death and resurrection. Salvation can only be obtained through personal faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Biblical Creation – God is the Creator of the universe, fashioning its fundamental systems and life forms from nothingness within the confines of space-time. This creation occurred over six (6) literal days.
Satan – A malevolent being known as Satan exists, acting as a tempter and accuser of mankind. He awaits eternal punishment, along with those who die without embracing Christ, suffering conscious torment indefinitely.
End Times – At a divinely chosen moment, Jesus Christ will physically return to earth to gather His Church. He will execute judgment, eradicate sin, establish His eternal Kingdom, and fulfill His purposes within creation and redemption, leading to eternal rewards and punishments.
In this contemporary context, the Faith Statement underscores Barber-Scotia College’s commitment to an inclusive academic environment rooted in these principles.