Christians are a people who profess a living faith. This faith is rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ who is “the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.” Therefore, the sole authority for faith and practice among Christians is Jesus Christ whose will is revealed in the Bible.
THE BIBLE
The Holy Bible was written by men who were divinely inspired by God in order to reveal Himself to people. Because it is inspired by God, it is completely without errors or mistakes.
2 Timothy 3:16-17.
GOD THE FATHER
There is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. He is all powerful, all knowing, and all present. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience.
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, and is, Himself, God. He left His throne in heaven and was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. At His birth, Jesus was perfectly God and perfectly human. He lived a completely sinless life and willingly sacrifice His life on a cross to pay the debt for the sins of all people. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples and others. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is our High Priest. Jesus is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
Isa 7:14; 53:1-12 Mat 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16, 27 Mat 17:5; 27; 28:1-6, 19; Mark 1:1; 3:11 Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46 John 1:1-18, 29; 10:30, 38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50 John 14:7-11, 16:15-16, 28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20, 28 Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation and enables people to understand truth. He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His Church. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the Church in worship, evangelism, and service.
Gen 1:2; Jud 14:6; Job 26:13; Psa 51:11; 139:7 Isa 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32
Mat 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mk 1:10, 12 Luke 1:35; 4:1, 18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49 John 4:24; 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-14
Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17, 39 Acts 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6 Rom 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27;
PEOPLE
People were created by God and are deeply loved by Him. We were created in His image, meaning that we are spiritual beings with great capacity for good. In the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. Although every person has great potential for good everyone falls short of God’s perfect holiness through disobedience. This disobedience, called sin, separates people from God. Because of this separation, we all need a Savior who will reconcile us back to God.
Matt 16:26; Acts 17:26-31 Rom 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6, 12, 19; 6:6
Rom 7:14-25; 8:14-18, 29.
SALVATION
Everyone has sinned and this sin keeps us from a relationship with God. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves or earn salvation through good works. God sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to be a perfect sacrifice by His death on a cross. Through the power of God, Jesus rose from the dead after 3 days in the grave. Only by trusting Jesus Christ as Savior can we be forgiven from all the wrongs we’ve done. Salvation is God’s free gift to us when we turn from living as we wish and place Jesus as Lord of our lives. At the moment we ask Jesus for forgiveness and trust Him as Lord, we are given eternal life.
Romans 6:23; Romans 5:1; John 14:6; and Ephesians 2:8-9.