4 Distinctives

Within the essentials of Christian doctrine there are the following theological categories, which are critically important and must be understood in our day! They contain truth that profoundly affects God’s relationship with us, our relationships with each other and our living the Christian life.

God is God-centered in everything: (Exodus3: 14; 34:6,7)
The Scriptures reveal God as Eternal, Infinite, Holy, Sovereign, Just, Wrathful, Merciful, Love, Gracious, Immutable, Self-Sufficient; Existent, All-Powerful; Present; Knowing, Transcendent, Immanent, Incomprehensible, Knowable… Therefore He is central and supreme in all things for the displaying of His infinite glory and the eternal enjoyment of every person within the framework of Christian Hedonism!

A clear distinction / Proper use of Law & Gospel: (Gal.3:19-24; Rom. 4:1-25)
The Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, is divided into two principle parts or kinds. One is the Law and the other is the Gospel.
Law: Righteousness God demands; written on our hearts by nature; Primary purpose is to declare the righteousness of God and thus aggravate sin in us and cause us to despair of our own righteousness.
Gospel: (Good News) Righteousness God gives; not at all in us by nature, but is a Sovereign, Unconditional, Free, Promise that is revealed from Heaven that Jesus Christ not only died for our sins, but also gives us His righteousness.

Christ Centered Focus of the Scriptures: (Luke 24:27; John 5:39, 1Cor.2.2)
The Old and New Testaments primary focus is to reveal something of either a
promise/type (OT) or fulfillment/reality (NT) about the nature, person and finished work of Jesus Christ. He is Prophet, Priest and King. He is our Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption! Jesus must be understood first as our substitute, then as our example, in justification as well as sanctification.
Moral applications follow.

God-centered Perspective on Faith: (John 1:13; Gal.1:12; Heb.11:1;)
God reveals a sovereign, unconditional, free, grace promise that creates faith.
“A firm and certain knowledge of God’s benevolence toward us, founded upon the freely given promise in Christ, both revealed to our minds and sealed upon our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” -John Calvin
"What is true faith? True faith is not only a knowledge and conviction that everything God reveals in his Word is true; it is also a deep-rooted assurance, created in me by the Holy Spirit through the gospel, that out of sheer grace earned for us by Christ, not only others, but I too, have had my sins forgiven, and have been made forever right with God, and have been granted salvation."
- Heidelberg Catechism, 1563, Question 21: What is true faith?