WHAT WE BELIEVE
… ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s word to all men. 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 truth without any mixture of error.
II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20,21; II Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160; Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5… 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; Genesis 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; II Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14;… ABOUT MAN
Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called sin. This attitude separates man from God.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2;… ABOUT ETERNITY
Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8; Matthew 2:44-46;… 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 men by dying on the 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 to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lords of Lords.
Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; John 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;… ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1;… ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY
Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in the salvation for eternity. 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 this security.
John 10:29; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 10:10,14; Peter 1:3-5,… 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 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. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.
II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; John 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12; I Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1;… ABOUT THE CHURCH
A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of baptized believers who are associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel… and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth…. This church is an autonomous body…. The New Testament speaks also of the church as the body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages.
Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 16:15-19; Matthew 26:26-30; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 47; Acts 8:35-39; Acts 13:1-3; Acts 14:23,27; Acts 16:5; Acts 20:28; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 1:2; I Corinthians 9:13-14; I Corinthians 10:16; I Corinthians 11:23-26; I Corinthians 12:12-28;Ephesians 1:22-23; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; Colossians 2:12;… ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
The Christian life is intended to be one of continuous growth toward spiritual maturity in Christlikeness. Such growth is stimulated by means of daily Bible study and prayer, regular church attendance, Christian witnessing, faithful stewardship of God’s blessings and complete submission to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is also intended to be one of constant service to others for the sake of Christ.
Acts 1:8; Acts 17:11; Romans 8:14; I Corinthians 4:1-2 ; I Corinthians 16:2 ; Galatians 5:13-14 ; Galatians 6:10 ; Ephesians 4:13-15 ; I Thessalonians 5:15,17; II Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 10:25; I Peter 2:2; I Peter 3:15; II Peter 3:18; I John 4:14 ;… ABOUT THE LAST THINGS
The return of Jesus Christ to this earth will signal the end of this present world. His return will be followed by the resurrection of the dead and the judgment of all men. The unsaved will be condemned to eternal punishment, separated forever from the glorious presence of God. The redeemed in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with their Savior and Lord.
Matthew 16:27; Matthew 24:27;30,36,44; Matthew 25:31-46; Mark 8:38; Romans 14:10; I Corinthians 4:5; I Corinthians 15:35-38; II Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; I Thessalonians 4:14-18; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; II Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27; James 5:8; II Peter 3:7-13; I John 2:28; I John 3:2; Revelation 20:1; Revelation 22:13;