4C Bible & Missions Institute
Introduction
簡介
The Institute formally began in October 2004. It is one of the ministries of the Christian Creative Communication Center (4C) and is likewise a nonprofit organization.
Our philosophy is to use the truth revealed by God and recorded in the Bible to educate and equip lay leaders of Chinese churches, so that they may grow in spiritual life and commit themselves to missions. Prayer is our foundation: through prayer we seek God’s guidance and draw on His wisdom and strength.
The Institute has four departments — Theology, Bible, Missions, and Pastoral Ministry — and every department shares common goals:
- To cultivate sound, orthodox theologyTo understand God’s pure and complete revelation
- To carry out the Lord’s Great CommissionTo follow the Lord’s example in shepherding His flock
Our Approach to Teaching
Interpreting Scripture with Scripture
We attend to the original meaning and historical setting of the text, so that faith is rooted in the truth and life rests on a sure foundation.
Growing Together
Through class discussion and walking alongside one another, growth becomes not just knowledge but a relationship of love.
Connected to the Harvest Field
Putting learning into practice: serving the church, actively engaging in missions, and fulfilling the Great Commission.
Statement of Faith
This Institute submits to the lordship of Jesus Christ, obeys the will of God the Father, and firmly holds to the following fundamental truths:
- 1
God is self-existent and eternal, the Sovereign who created the heavens, the earth, all things, and humankind. He is the one true God, triune: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- 2
Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man. He is of the same essence, power, eternity, and glory as the Father and the Holy Spirit. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, became flesh, and was born of the Virgin Mary. He willingly shed His blood to atone for the sins of the world and was crucified on the cross; on the third day He rose bodily from the dead, appeared to His disciples, and ascended into heaven, becoming the only mediator between God and man.
- 3
The Holy Spirit is the believer’s Helper, of the same essence, power, eternity, and glory as the Father and the Son. He moves people to recognize their sin, to repent, and to be born again; He abides with believers forever, guides them into understanding the truth, and sanctifies them.
- 4
The Old and New Testaments, sixty-six books in all, are in their original manuscripts inspired by God, absolutely inerrant and unchanging, and are the supreme authority and standard for Christian faith and life.
- 5
Humankind was created in God’s own image and likeness, but our first ancestors sinned, and sin thereby entered the world. Ever since, all people have fallen into sin, separated from God and unable to save themselves.
- 6
Redemption comes from the grace of God. Only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the cross can all who believe in Jesus Christ have their sins forgiven, be justified by faith, be born again by the Holy Spirit, and receive eternal life.
- 7
Jesus Christ will surely come again and establish His eternal kingdom. All people will be raised in the future and stand before Christ for the final judgment. Those who believe in Jesus Christ will be raised to enjoy eternal life, dwelling with God forever; those who do not believe will be raised to eternal punishment, separated from God forever.