Statement of Faith

Tyrannus Online Seminary (TOS)

Our Statement of Faith is meant to reflect a doctrinal coherence of our Christian faith. It articulates the foundational teachings that we may persevere in unity within the diversity of churches and form a foundation for personal growth and discipleship. It is to be a guidance for our teachers, and leaders so that all the core beliefs within the Evangelical community is aligned. It also provides TOS a basis for accountability. 

 

1.      Scriptures

 We believe in the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, as Scripture, written and handed down to us by persons inspired by the Holy Spirit, and is inerrant, infallible, and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice. Therefore, it is relevant in all cultural context for all times; and that theology be taught in a way that does not contradict Scripture. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Prov. 30:5-6; John 10:35; 2 Pet. 1:21)

·       By affirming the Bible as the inspired Word of God, this statement refutes any view that diminishes the authority or divine origin of Scripture, such as naturalistic or secular interpretations that consider the Bible a mere human work. The reference to both Old and New Testaments underscores the unity of Scripture and denies any theological position that would elevate one Testament over the other or disregard the relevance of either.

·       The declaration of the Bible as inerrant and infallible denies the possibility of error in its teachings or historical claims, refuting liberal theological perspectives that suggest Scripture contains contradictions or is outdated in its moral instructions. By calling Scripture “authoritative in all matters of faith and practice,” the statement rejects any belief system that undermines the Bible's role as the ultimate standard for doctrine and moral guidance, such as relativism or traditions that place human reason or experience above Scripture.

·       The acknowledgment of Scripture’s relevance in all cultural contexts for all times rejects the notion that the Bible is bound by the cultural norms of its time and denies theological frameworks that adapt or reinterpret Scripture to align with shifting cultural values. This also reinforces the position that theology must remain consistent with Scripture, denying approaches to theology that prioritize contemporary philosophy or science over biblical teachings.

 

2.      God

 We believe in one true and living God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who are coequal in glory, majesty, and power. God is sovereign, holy, and gracious, the Creator and Sustainer of all things. God has revealed Himself in Creation, History, and in Jesus Christ. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 8:6).

·       By affirming "one true and living God," this statement upholds the doctrine of monotheism, directly rejecting polytheism, pantheism, or atheism. The assertion that God exists "eternally in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," identifies the statement as rooted in the historic Christian doctrine of the Trinity. This explicitly denies non-Trinitarian views such as Unitarianism, Modalism (the belief that God is one person who manifests in three different modes), or Arianism (which denies the full deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit).

·       The description of the three Persons as "coequal in glory, majesty, and power" emphasizes the unity and equality of the Godhead, refuting any hierarchical or subordinationist interpretations of the Trinity that compromise the full deity of any of the Persons. The declaration of God’s sovereignty, holiness, and graciousness captures His transcendence and immanence, affirming His absolute authority over creation while also highlighting His moral perfection and loving nature.

·       By describing God as "the Creator and Sustainer of all things," the statement denies atheistic evolution and deistic perspectives that propose a God who is uninvolved in the ongoing operations of creation. It affirms the continuous and active role of God in the world He has made.

·       Finally, the affirmation that "God has revealed Himself in Creation, History, and in Jesus Christ" reflects the classical doctrine of general and special revelation. This denies philosophical naturalism, which denies any divine revelation, and refutes any religious perspective that dismisses Jesus Christ as the ultimate revelation of God.

 

3.      Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ, truly divine and truly human – conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the Cross to atone for our sins, rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will personally return in glory and power to judge the living and the dead, and reign forever. He is the only Mediator between God and humanity and the Head of His Church.

(John 1:1-14; Rom. 5:8; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Col. 1:18; 1 Tim. 2:5)

·       By affirming that Jesus Christ is "truly divine and truly human," this statement upholds the historic Christian doctrine of the hypostatic union, which asserts that Jesus possesses two distinct natures—divine and human—united in one Person. This rejects heresies such as Docetism (which denies Jesus' humanity) and Arianism (which denies His divinity).

·       The acknowledgment that Jesus was "conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary" affirms His supernatural origin and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (e.g., Isaiah 7:14). This denies naturalistic interpretations that reject the virgin birth and other miraculous elements of Jesus' life.

·       The claim that Jesus "lived a sinless life" confirms His unique qualification to be the perfect sacrifice for humanity's sins, refuting views that see Jesus merely as a moral teacher or fallible human. By emphasizing that He "performed miracles," the statement acknowledges His divine authority and power, refuting materialistic worldviews that deny the possibility of supernatural acts.

·       Jesus' death on the Cross is described as an atonement for sins, affirming the substitutionary atonement doctrine and denying perspectives such as moral influence theory, which reduces His death to an example of love without addressing sin's penalty. The statement further asserts that He "rose bodily from the dead," confirming the physical resurrection and rejecting spiritualized or metaphorical interpretations.

·       The reference to Jesus' ascension into heaven and His personal return "in glory and power to judge the living and the dead" underscores His ongoing reign and future role as Judge, refuting views that deny His physical return or final judgment. The affirmation that Jesus "will reign forever" highlights His eternal kingship, refuting any belief that limits His authority or duration of rule.

·       Finally, by declaring that Jesus is "the only Mediator between God and humanity and the Head of His Church," the statement emphasizes His unique role in salvation and governance, rejecting pluralistic or relativistic views that propose alternative paths to God.

 

4.      The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Person and work of the Holy Spirit, who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, regenerates sinners, and indwells believers. The Holy Spirit empowers, sanctifies, and equips the Church for ministry, distributing spiritual gifts for the edification of the Body of Christ, conforming believers to the image of Christ. (John 16:7-15; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11; Gal. 5:22-23)

·       The affirmation of the "Person and work of the Holy Spirit" emphasizes the distinct personhood and divine nature of the Holy Spirit, rejecting impersonal or merely symbolic interpretations of the Spirit. By stating that the Holy Spirit "convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment," this statement highlights the Spirit’s role in revealing the moral and spiritual realities necessary for repentance and faith as described in John 16:7-15.

·       The Holy Spirit's role in "regenerating sinners" underscores the necessity of spiritual rebirth for salvation, rejecting any theology that denies the transforming power of grace, such as Pelagianism. The indwelling of believers by the Holy Spirit emphasizes His continual presence and guidance in the lives of Christians, refuting deistic or naturalistic views that deny divine involvement in human lives.

·       By declaring that the Holy Spirit "empowers, sanctifies, and equips the Church for ministry," the statement highlights the Spirit's enabling work in strengthening believers and advancing the mission of the Church. The Spirit's role in distributing spiritual gifts "for the edification of the Body of Christ" acknowledges the diversity of gifts within the Church (1 Cor. 12:4-11), while emphasizing their purpose: building up the Church, not self-exaltation or division.

·       Finally, the mention of conforming believers "to the image of Christ" connects the Spirit's sanctifying work with the ultimate goal of spiritual maturity and Christlikeness. References such as Galatians 5:22-23 (the fruit of the Spirit) affirm that this transformation includes the development of godly character, not merely external actions.

·       This statement rejects views that overemphasize spiritual gifts to the detriment of character development or sanctification. It also denies cessationism, which claims that certain gifts of the Spirit (e.g., prophecy, healing) ceased after the apostolic age, as well as hyper-charismatic practices that misuse spiritual gifts.

 

5.      Humanity

We believe that humanity, male and female, is created in the image of God and was made for a relationship with Him. However, through Adam’s disobedience, humanity fell into sin, becoming spiritually dead and alienated from God, and is now subject to His judgement (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 5:12-19).

·       : In affirming that humanity—both male and female—was created in the image of God, this statement rejects any worldview that excludes God from the origin and purpose of humanity (e.g., atheistic evolution). By emphasizing “male and female,” it upholds a binary view of gender, countering modern perspectives that deny the binary nature of God’s design. By highlighting humanity’s fall through Adam’s disobedience, the statement refutes the idea that humans are inherently good or morally neutral. It thus opposes Pelagianism, which claims that people can live without sin or achieve salvation through their own efforts, instead underscoring humanity’s spiritual death, alienation from God, and profound need for restoration.

·       By declaring that humanity is now subject to God’s judgment, the statement denies any doctrine suggesting that all people will inevitably be reconciled to God irrespective of sin or repentance. Finally, in asserting that humanity is created for a relationship with God, it rejects any philosophy that portrays humans as non-relational beings or as intended to exist independently from Him.

6.      Salvation in Jesus Christ

We believe that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. It is a gift of God, not based on human works. The death and resurrection of Christ provide full atonement for sin, and through repentance and faith, individuals are justified, regenerated, and adopted into God’s family. Salvation calls believers to live lives of obedience and holiness (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 5:1-2; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

·       It rejects any theological position claiming that human works, merit, or effort can secure salvation, thereby refuting doctrines such as Pelagianism and semi-Pelagianism. It also denies that any religious system or belief outside of faith in Jesus Christ is sufficient for salvation, contradicting universalism and pluralistic views that propose multiple paths to salvation. Moreover, it opposes doctrines that negate the sufficiency of Christ’s death and resurrection, such as those requiring additional sacrifices or mediators. Finally, it refutes antinomianism—which asserts that Christians are not bound by moral law—and any notion of “cheap grace” that overlooks the call to holy living.

 

7.      The Church

We believe in the universal Church, the body of Christ, composed of all true believers. The Church exists to glorify God by worshiping Him, preaching the Gospel, disciple believers, and serving the world in love. The local church is a visible expression of this universal body, gathering for teaching, fellowship, prayer, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 1:22-23).

·       It denies sectarianism or the belief that salvation is limited to a specific denomination or group, affirming instead the universal body of all true believers in Christ. It refutes the idea that the Church is solely a human organization or institution, emphasizing its spiritual reality as the body of Christ. It denies any view of the Church that neglects its mission to preach the Gospel, disciple believers, and engage in loving service to the world. It also rejects the notion that participation in a local church is unnecessary, affirming the importance of the local church as a visible expression of the universal Church. It denies reducing the Church's purpose to only one aspect, such as worship or fellowship, affirming its multi-faceted mission including teaching, fellowship, prayer, and the sacraments/ordinance.

 

8.      Spiritual Realm

We believe that God created the spiritual realm of hosts of angels, among whom there were those who did not keep their holy estate and deviated from the eternal purpose of God, chief among whom is one referred to as Satan. Though Satan has temporary power in the world, Christ's death and resurrection have decisively defeated him.

(Gen. 3:1-5; Job 1:6-12; Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 10:18; Eph. 6:10f; Col. 2:15; Rev. 12:9)

·       This statement affirms belief in the creation of the "spiritual realm of hosts of angels" by God, acknowledging their existence as part of God's creation. By referencing that some angels "did not keep their holy estate," the statement highlights the rebellion of a portion of these spiritual beings, rejecting naturalistic or secular worldviews that deny the existence of the spiritual realm and personal beings such as angels and demons.

·       The identification of Satan as "chief among those who deviated from the eternal purpose of God" aligns with the biblical narrative of Satan's fall and subsequent role as the adversary of God and humanity. This directly refutes dualistic worldviews that portray Satan as equal in power to God or materialistic perspectives that dismiss him as a mere metaphor or myth.

·       The acknowledgment that "Satan has temporary power in the world" underscores the present reality of his influence, as depicted in passages like Job 1:6-12 and Ephesians 6:10f. This rejects theological views that underestimate the reality of spiritual warfare or overestimate Satan's power as unlimited or autonomous.

·       The declaration that "Christ's death and resurrection have decisively defeated him" emphasizes the ultimate triumph of Jesus over Satan, as highlighted in Colossians 2:15 and Revelation 12:9. This refutes any theology that attributes unchecked or eternal power to Satan, instead affirming the Christian hope in Christ’s victory and the assurance of Satan's ultimate judgment.

·       By framing the existence of Satan and his temporary power within the context of God's sovereignty and Christ's victory, the statement affirms God's ultimate control over all creation, rejecting any belief system that sees evil as an independent or eternal force.

 

9.      Last Things

We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ in power and glory to judge the living and the dead. We affirm the resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous, eternal life in God’s presence for the redeemed, and eternal separation from God for the unrepentant. We look forward to the new heavens and the new earth, where righteousness dwells. (Matt. 25:31-46; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:11-15; 21:1-4).

Last modified: Friday, July 18, 2025, 3:46 PM