THE BIBLE
The
Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors
under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was
inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error and is
completely relevant to our daily lives.
Deuteronomy
4:1-2; Psalms 119:11, 89, 105; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39;
16:13-15; 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1
Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 3:16
THE TRINITY
God
has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. He exists as
one substance in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions,
they each possess equal power and authority.
Deuteronomy
6:4; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 1:35; John 5:21-23;
14:10, 16; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14;
Hebrews 1:8-10; James 2:19
THE FATHER
God
is great: He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging,
completely worthy of our trust, and above all, holy. It is in Him that
we live, move and exist. God is good. He is our Father. He is loving,
compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.
Exodus
3:14; Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; Psalm 11:4-6; Malachi
3:6; John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:1; Acts 17:28; Romans 3:3-4
THE SON
Jesus
Christ is completely human but, at the same time, completely God. He is
the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a
right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, so that He could
be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He
defeated death in His resurrection so that we can have life.
Isaiah
7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 28:5-6; Luke
22:70; 24:46-47; John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 11:25-27; 17:1-5; Acts 1:9;
2:22-24; 7:55-56; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 8:1-3; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6;
2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Gal 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15;
2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:1
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit’s presence assures us of our relationship
with Christ. He guides believers into all truth and exalts Christ. He
convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Christ.
Genesis
1:2; Psalm 51:11; 139:7 ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Mark 1:10; Lk
1:35; 4:1; 11:13; 12:12; John 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 13:2;
Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2
Peter 1:21; Revelation 22:17
ETERNITY
Man
was created to exist forever. He will exist either 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 Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.
John 3:16, 36; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15
MAN
Man
is made in the image of God and is the supreme object of His creation.
Man was created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that
relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, man cannot
attain a right relationship with God through his own effort. Every human
personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of
respect and Christian love.
Genesis
1:26-30; 2:7, 18-22; 3; Psalms 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5;
Jeremiah 17:5; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6;
7:14-25; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22; Ephesians 2; Colossians
1:21-22; 3:9-11
SALVATION
The
blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of
salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people
place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient
payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be
earned through our own efforts.
Isaiah
1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7; Matthew 1:21; 27:22-66, 28:1-6; Luke 1:68-69;
2:28-32; John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31; Romans
1:16-18; 3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20;
Galatians 2:20; 3:13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews
9:24-28; Revelation 3:20
THE CHURCH
The
Church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith
in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all
of His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The
Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose
of glorifying Christ.
Matthew
16:18-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28; 1
Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12;
5:22-32; Colossians 1:18; 3:15; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4;
Revelation 21:2-3