We hold and teach

(J. C. Ryle)

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is
 profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for
 correcting, for training in righteousness,
 so that the man of God may be complete,
 equipped for every good work."
    2 Timothy 3:16-17

(1) We hold and teach--that the Bible is the
only rule of faith and practice; and it alone
is able to make a man wise unto salvation.

(2) We hold and teach--that we are accounted
righteous before God--only for the merit of our
Lord Jesus Christ, by faith--and not for our own
works and deservings. We maintain that in the
matter of our justification, our own goodness
and holiness have nothing whatever to do.

(3) We hold and teach--that good works, which
follow after justification, spring necessarily out
of a true and living faith. We maintain that a
living faith may be as evidently discerned, by
the good works which spring from it--as a tree
is discerned by its fruit; and that, consequently,
the man in whom no good works and holiness
can be seen--is not yet a converted man.

(4) We hold and teach--that repentance, faith,
holiness of heart and life, justification, conversion,
union with Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy
Spirit--are the primary and principal things in true
religion. We maintain that other points of doctrine,
however important and valuable in their due place,
are by comparison, things of secondary importance.

"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out
 of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with
 great patience and careful instruction." 2 Tim. 4:2