The Bible: The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God, which are entirely trustworthy and without error in the original writings. They are the complete revelation of God’s will for the salvation of people and the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
God: There is one God, Almighty, all knowing, creator of all things, infinitely perfect, holy and eternal. He is gracious, merciful, compassionate, and full of love. He is also the righteous judge of mankind. Moreover, while He is one in essence, He is three in person: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:8,11; Psalm 103:8; 2 Timothy 4:8; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary in His Incarnation, was sinless in nature and deed. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, died on the cross as a perfect sacrifice for our sin, was buried, and rose bodily from the dead. He then ascended into heaven, was exalted by the Father, and now intercedes as the believer’s High Priest and Advocate. (John 1:1-14; 10:30; Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:30-35; Philippians 2:5-9; Hebrews 7:25-27)
The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son. He glorifies the Lord Jesus, convicts people of sin, and infuses new life in the believing, repentant heart. He empowers, directs, instructs, and gifts believers for service, godly living, and building up the body of Christ. He indwells every believer and is the seal of redemption. (John 16:7-14; Acts 1:8;
1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30)
The Sinfulness of Man: Man was created in the image and likeness of God, has sinned and is guilty before an infinitely holy God, but (and) can only receive salvation by being repentant of his sins and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:23; Luke 24:46-47; Titus 3:5)
Salvation: The death of Christ was substitutionary and atoning. The death and resurrection of Christ provide the only ground for a sinner’s justification and acceptance by God. Every believer possesses eternal life and is justified, sanctified and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and by Him is empowered to live a godly life. The believer is secure for all eternity. (Romans 5:1, 9-10, 16; Galatians 2:20; John 10:28)
Sanctification: Sanctification, the process of being made or becoming holy, is a work of the Holy Spirit in the believer, which continues all of the believer’s life and is a result of salvation, not a cause of it. With respect to the past, we have been set apart in order to belong to God and serve Him. We were sanctified at the moment of conversion: that is, we were declared legally holy and belonging to the Lord by accepting the atoning work of Christ on the cross. With respect to the future, we will be totally sanctified someday in our glorified bodies. At that time our actions will completely match our standing before God. At the present time we are being sanctified, that is, increasingly being conformed into the image of the Son who died for us and increasingly setting apart Jesus Christ as Lord in our hearts. This is God’s decreed purpose for the believer. However, a believer can, through willful disobedience, lose his fellowship, joy, power, testimony and reward and incur the Father’s discipline. We can be restored by confession of sin. (Hebrews 10:14; 1 John 3:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Corinthians 3:15; Hebrews 12:5-6; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 51)
The Church: The Church began with the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and is composed of all those, whether living or dead, who are genuine Christians united together in that one Body of Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit. The true church is a living, spiritual body of which Christ is the head. The local church is composed of those who gather in Christ’s name for worship, prayer, edification, fellowship, service and witness. Church governance and discipline are the responsibility of the local church. (Acts 2; Colossians 1:18; Acts 16:5)
The Ordinances: There are two Christian ordinances – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism signifies that the believer, having died with Christ, is buried with Him and is also risen with Christ to walk in newness of life. Baptism is not a means of, or an aid to, salvation, nor a prerequisite to fellowship at the Lord’s Table. It is, however, expected of all believers in obedience to our Lord. (Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:4)
The Lord’s Supper was instituted by the Lord Himself and is the privilege and responsibility of all believers. In the observance of this supper, believers remember and retell the message of the Lord’s death, until His return. (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
Satan: There is a personal devil, a spiritual being of great cunning who can exert vast power only so far as God allows him to do so. He shall ultimately be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone and shall be tormented day and night forever. (Genesis 3; Job 1:6-12; Ephesians 6:11-16; Revelation 12:9, 20:10)
The Spiritual World: There is an existing invisible world of spiritual beings that God created alongside of the visible world. These beings are commissioned by God and carry out His work. While many of them still serve God, there are those who have risen with Satan in rebellion against their creator and we now call them Demons. They too will be cast into the lake of fire and forever share in Satan’s fate. (Psalm 103:20; Isaiah 6:1-3; Hebrews 1:6-7; Matthew 26:53; 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 20:10)
The Return of Christ: The personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ could occur at any moment. His return will usher in a series of events; the rapture of all believers to be with Him forever, judgement on unredeemed society, the restoration of Israel to Him as Messiah and an eternal state of blessedness for the redeemed. This truth is an ongoing incentive to holy living and faithful service for every believer. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7; 6-18; 21-22; 1 John 3:2-3)
Judgment: There will be a bodily resurrection of the dead: of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord in heaven and of the unbeliever to everlasting judgement and exclusion from the presence of God. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 1:10)
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