ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE:
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 are co-equal and are one God.
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 in 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
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 people 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. As Christians we seek to live under His daily control.
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
ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s Word to us. 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 any mixture of error.
II Timothy 3:16, 1:13; II Peter 1:20,21; Psalm 119:105, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
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.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2
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 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 someone receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 1:12, 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
ABOUT SECURITY
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in 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; I Peter 1:3-5
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 eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3;16, 2:25, 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8, 2:44,46
Essential beliefs
we have unity
"There is one Body and one Spirit….there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all…" Ephesians 4:4-6
Non-essential beliefs
we have liberty
"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgement on disputable…Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls…So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." Romans 14:1,4,12
In all our beliefs
we show charity
"…if I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains – but have not love, I amount to nothing at all." I Corinthians 13:2 (Ph)