Horton - Systematic theology

REVISED EDITION

EDITED BY

Stanley M. Horton

Springfield, Missouri

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NCVTM are taken from the New Century Version. Copyright 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

1994, 1995, 2007 by Gospel Publishing House, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, Missouri 65802. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwisewithout prior written permission of the copyright owner, except brief quotations used in connection with reviews in magazines or newspapers.

Logion Press books are published by Gospel Publishing House.

ISBN: 978-1-60731-122-5

Printed in the United States of America

List of Contributors

Benny C. Aker, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament and Exegesis at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary

Carolyn Denise Baker, M.Div., Instructor in Bible and Theology at American Indian Bible College and National Appointed Home Missionary

Michael L. Dusing, D.Min., Professor and Department Chair, Theology and Philosophy at Southeastern College of the Assemblies of God

John R. Higgins, Th.D., Educator, Missionary to India

Stanley M. Horton, Th.D., Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Bible and Theology at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary

Timothy P. Jenney, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministries at North Central Bible College

Russell Joyner, MATS, Associate Pastor of West End Assembly of God, Richmond, Virginia

Byron D. Klaus, D.Min., Professor of Church Leadership at Southern California College

David Lim, D.Min., Senior Pastor of Grace Assembly of God in Singapore

Frank D. Macchia, Th.D., Associate Professor of Theology at Southeastern College of the Assemblies of God

Bruce R. Marino, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Bible and Theology at Valley Forge Christian College

Gary B. McGee, Ph.D., Professor of Church History, Chair, Bible and Theology Department at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary

Mark D. McLean, Ph.D., Professor of Biblical Studies at Evangel College

Kerry D. McRoberts, M.A., M.C.S., Assistant Professor of Bible and Theology at Trinity Bible College

Timothy Munyon, M.A., Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies and Greek at Trinity Bible College

David R. Nichols, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pastoral Studies at North Central Bible College

Daniel B. Pecota, D.Min., Professor of Theology, Greek, and Bible, Divisional Coordinator for Religious and Ministerial Studies at Northwest College of the Assemblies of God

Vernon Purdy, Ph.D. Candidate, Assistant Professor in Bible, Central Bible College

James H. Railey, Jr., Ph.D., Candidate, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary

John W. Wyckoff, Ph.D., Professor of Bible and Theology, Chair, Church Ministries Division at Southwestern Assemblies of God College

During the early centuries of the history of the Church, many stated their faith in letters, creeds, and confessions. These theological affirmations were used in the worship and in the defense of the faith. So it is to this day: The Church continues to affirm its faith in the revelation of God in Christ through the ongoing work of theological writing and dialogue.

This present volume comes from the Pentecostal community of faith and is the work of teachers of Bible and theology in the seminary and colleges of the Assemblies of God. It is a statement that the work of theology is valued and approached seriously and earnestly in the Pentecostal branch of the Church.

The first intended audience for this book is the students at the institutions represented by the authors. They deserve to read theology from the perspectives of teachers within the educational community in which they are studying. The clergy of the Assemblies of God and other Pentecostal fellowships, too, should have the privilege of a theological presentation that is in keeping with the faith they have received and are passing on to the congregations they serve. Local church members will also profit from reading this biblical affirmation of faith. Other churches and denominations can receive benefit as well, for most of the truths defended in this work are also held by all Bible believers.

I wish to thank Dr. G. Raymond Carlson, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God (198593); the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary; Central Bible College; Berean College; the Postsecondary Education Department of the Assemblies of God; the Division of Foreign Missions of the Assemblies of God; and others who have made this project possible. Special thanks are due to Dr. Edgar Lee, Dr. Elmer Kirsch, Dr. Zenas Bicket, and Rev. David Bundrick, who have read the manuscripts and made many helpful suggestions. Special thanks also are due to Glen Ellard and his editorial staff for their expert help.

In line with the usage of both the KJV and the NIV, LORD is used in capitals and small capitals where the Hebrew of the Old Testament has the personal, divine name of God, Yahweh (which was probably pronounced ya-wa).

In quoted Scripture, words the authors wish to emphasize are in italics.

For easier reading, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek words are all transliterated with English letters.

These abbreviations have been used:

STANLEY M. HORTON

GENERAL EDITOR

The Hebrew wrote only the consonants YHWH . Later traditions followed the New Latin JHVH and added vowels from the Hebrew for Lord to remind them to read Lord instead of the divine name. But this was never intended to be read Jehovah.