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1. The Essentials We Believe About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. God exists 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; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; 2 Corinthians 13:13; Heb. 2:3-4; 1 Peter 1:2; I John 4:13,15; Jude 20-21)
2. The Essentials We Believe About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the grave on the third day to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return in the same manner to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22,23; John 1:1-5, 14:1-11; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3,4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Hebrews 4:14,15)
3. The Essentials We Believe About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Believer from the moment of salvation. He provides the Believer with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Believer is to strive to live under His control daily. (John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13)
4. The Essentials We Believe About Mankind
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. We are the supreme object of God's creation. Although we have tremendous potential for good, we are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called sin. This attitude separates us from God. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1,2; Romans 3:23)
5. The Essentials We Believe About Sin and its Consequences
Every person has rebelled against God's will. We have all sinned. The consequence of sin/rebellion is death. Our sin makes us spiritually dead to God. Those who are spiritually dead, who are in rebellion, who are disobedient to the Gospel of Jesus, are destined to punishment "with everlasting destruction" and will forever be "shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power" (II Thessalonians 1:9, NIV). The only way to avoid this punishment is to accept the salvation available through faith in Jesus Christ. (Luke 16:19-31; Romans 3:10,23, 5:12b, 6:23a; Revelation 20:13-15)
6. The Essentials We Believe About Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God by His grace to mankind. We can never make up for our sin or earn salvation by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can we be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one confesses and repents of his/her sin to God and, in faith, receives the forgiveness of Jesus Christ into his/her life. When we accept the forgiveness of sins offered through Jesus, we also receive the promise of eternal life with God. Our faith in Jesus will result in our committing our lives in service to God and in obedience to God’s will. (John 1:12; 3:16; 14:6, 15, 23, 24; 15:10; Romans 5:8; 6:23; 10:9-10; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8 ,9; Titus 3:5; James 2:14-18;1 John 1:9, 2:2, 4:10)
7. The Essentials We Believe About Baptism
Christ commanded that his followers be baptized and He demonstrated its importance by being baptized Himself. Baptism is a way that Christ’s followers can publicly express their faith in Jesus. It is an outward expression of what Jesus Christ has done in our hearts when we place our faith in Him. We believe that total immersion was the mode of baptism used in the Bible, therefore it is the method we use for all who desire to follow the Lord in baptism. (Mat. 3:13-17; Mat. 28:19,20; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; Romans 4:3-5)
8. The Essentials We Believe About the Bible
The Bible is God's word to all men and women. It was written by human authors under the 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 truth without error. (Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; John 17:17; II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20,21)
9. The Essentials We Believe About The Second Coming of Jesus
Jesus Christ promised that He would return to earth someday to gather His followers. No one knows exactly when the second coming will happen, but Christ’s followers are to be ready at all times and we must be faithful until He comes. His coming will be a time of great joy and blessings for His followers and a time of great fear and punishment for those who have not placed their faith in Him. (Dan. 12:1; Mat. 24:14 - 46; Mark 13:14-23; Luke 12:40; Acts 1:10-11; 1 Thes. 4:14-17; 2 Thes. 2:3-15; 2 Peter 3:8-14; 1 Jn. 2:18, 28; 4:3; 2 Jn. 7; Rev. 1:7; Rev. 3:11; Rev. 7:14; Rev. 16:15; Rev. 20:1 - 21:8)
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