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The Essentials We Believe
1. About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He
has eternally existed in three personalities: the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three
are co-equal and are one God.
- Genesis: 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22
- Psalm 90:2; Matthew
28:19
- 1 Peter 1:2
- II Corinthians 13:14
2. About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal
with the Father. Jesus lived
a sinless human life and
offered Himself as the perfect
sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying
on a cross.
He
arose
from the dead after three days
to demonstrate His power over sin and death.
He ascended
to Heaven's
glory and will return again
someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and
Lord
of
Lords.
- Matthew 1:22,23
- Isaiah 9:6
- John 1:1-5; 14:10-30
- Hebrews 4:14,15
- I Corinthians 15:3,4
- Romans 1:3,4
- Acts 1:9-11
- I Timothy 6:14,15
- Titus 2:13
3. About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and
the Son of God. He is present
in the world to make men
aware of their need for Jesus
Christ. He also lives in every Christian
from the
moment of
salvation. He provides the
Christian with power for living,
understanding of spiritual
truth, and guidance
in
doing what is right. He gives
every believer a spiritual gift when they
are saved.
All of the gifts mentioned
in Scripture are for today’s
church. As Christians we
seek to live under His control
daily. He manifests
the power of God through
the ordinary and through
signs and wonders.
- II Corinthians 3:17
- John 16:7-13; 14:16,17
- Acts 1:8
- I Corinthians 2:12; 3:16
- Ephesians 1:13
- Galatians 5:25
- Ephesians 5:18
4. About the Bible
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written
by human authors, under the supernatural
guidance of
the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme
source of truth for Christian beliefs and
living. Because it is inspired
by God, it is the truth without
any mixture
of any error. It is the inerrant
Word of God.
- II Timothy 3:16
- II Peter 1:20, 21
- II Timothy 1:13
- Psalm 119:105, 160; 12:6
- Proverbs 30:5
5. About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to
be like Him in character. People are the supreme
object of God's creation. Although every person
has tremendous potential for good, all of us are
marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God
called "sin". This attitude separates
people from God and causes many problems in life.
- Genesis 1:27
- Psalm 8:3-6
- Isaiah 63:6a
- Romans 3:23
- Isaiah 59:1,2
6. About Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must
accept it. We can never make up for our
sin by self-improvement
or good works. Only by trusting in
Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness
can
anyone be saved
from
sin's penalty. When we turn from our
self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith
we are saved.
Eternal
life begins the moment one receives
Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
- Romans
6:23
- Ephesians 2:8,9
- John 14:6; 1:12
- Titus 3:5
- Galatians 3:26
- Romans 5:1
7. About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus
Christ, the true believer is
secure in that salvation for
eternity. If you have been genuinely
saved, you cannot "lose" it.
Salvation is maintained by the grace
and power of God, not by the self-effort
of the Christian.
It
is the grace and keeping power of
God that gives us this security.
- John 10:29
- II Timothy 1:12
- Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14
- I Peter 1:3-5
8. About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will
either exist eternally separated from God
by sin, or eternally
with God through forgiveness and salvation.
To be eternally separated from God is Hell.
To be eternally
in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and
Hell are real places of eternal existence.
- John 3:15; 2:25; 5:11-13
- Romans 6:23
- Revelation 20:15
- Matthew 1:8; 2:44,46
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