In 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
In non-essential beliefs we have liberty. Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing
judgment on disputable matters . . . 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 . . . So whatever you believe about
Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22
In all our beliefs we show love. . . . 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 no love, I amount to nothing at all.
I Corinthians 13:2
(J. B. Phillips Translation)
The Essentials
We Believe
1. 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 1:2, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I
Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14]
2. About Jesus Christ
Jesus is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father
and the Holy Spirit. 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 to 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]
3. 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 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. He gives every
believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians we seek to
live under His control daily.
[II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8, I
Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galations 5:25; Ephesians 5:18]
4. About the Bible
The Bible is God's Word to us. 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. Since it is
inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
[II Timothy 1:13, 3:16; II Peter 1:20,21; Psalm 199:105,
160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5]
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 and causes many problems in life.
[Genesis1:27, Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23;
Isaiah 59:1-2]
6. 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 as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone
be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-fulfilled life and
turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one
received Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
[Romans 6:23, 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12;
Titus 3:5, Galations 3:26]
7. About Eternal Security
Since God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ,
the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you
have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" your salvation.
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 10:28-29; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14;
I Peter 1:3-5]
8. 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]