BELIEFS

The BIBLE is the written Word of God (Heb 4:12, Rev 19:9, 10). Written by men guided by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, it is God’s authoritative revelation of Himself to man (Gal 1:11-12; 1 Cor 2:10-14; 2 Pet 1:20-21; 2 Tim 3:16; Rev 1:1). It is truth without error, useful for instruction in our daily lives and in equipping for every good work that God has prepared for us to do (2 Sam 22:31; Deut 11:18; Ps 119:89, Ps 119:160; Prov 30:5; John 16:13; Eph 6:17; Col 3:16; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Jas 1:22).

There is only one GOD, Creator, and Ruler of the heavens and the earth (Gen 1:1, Gen 17:1; Job 38-39; John 17:3; Acts 17:24-25; Rev 4:11). He is eternally existing in three persons, known as the TRINITY – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Ps 93:2; Matt 3:17, Matt 16:16-17; Matt 27:54; Luke 2:49; John 1:1-3; John 10:30-38; Rom 1:20; Rev 22:13, 16). Demonstrating a perfect relationship, the three in one are co-equal in power and authority, yet subservient in nature (Gen 1:26; John 4:34; John 6:40, 44, 46; John 16:7). The Father sent the Son who does the will of the Father, and the Son sent the Holy Spirit to be our Counselor (Matt 6:10, 7:21; Luke 20:13; John 3:17; 4:34; 5:24; 8:16; 9:4; 14:15-17; 16:5-7, 13-15; 17:3-4, 17:18; 20:21; Gal 4:4; 1 John 4:10).

God the FATHER is our heavenly Father, the all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present head of the Trinity (Gen 15:2; 17:1; Job 11:7; Job 38-39; 2 Sam 7:18-29; Matt 5:16; 6:6-10, 14, 18). He is perfect, limitless, and unchanging in all His attributes (Ps 90:2; Mal 3:6). He is loving, kind, compassionate, patient, faithful, gracious, and generous (Ps 144:2; 1 John 4:8-16; Ps 103:8; 2 Pet 3:9; Ps 33:4; Joel 2:23; 1 Cor 1:9, 10:13; 2 Thess 3:3; Heb 3:6, 10:23; John 1:14-17; Rom 3:23-25, 5:17; 2 Cor 12:9; Eph 2:7-9; 1 Pet 5:9-10; Matt 7:7-11; 1 John 1:9). Because of His abundant love, He is jealous for us and desires a relationship with us (Exod 34:14; John 15:15). He is also just and holy, and hates sin (Exod 9:23-27; Ezra 9:15; Ps 99:9; 116:5; 129:4; Jer 12:1; Hab 1:13; John 5:17-47; 1 John 1:9). He is merciful and forgiving too (Deut 4:31; Neh 9:31; Ps 86:5; Dan 9:9).

Created in God’s own image, MAN is the supreme object of God’s creation (Gen 1:26-27). God created human beings to have fellowship with Him (Gen 2:19-20; Exod 6:7; 1 Cor 1:9; 1 John 1:3). God gave man free will; the ability to choose and a capacity for independent desires (Gen 2:19, 3:6, 3:17; Jas 1:13-14). Adam, the first man, and his wife Eve exercised their freedom and chose to disobey God (Gen 2:15-16, 3:6). From that day forward, all of mankind has fallen short of God’s perfect standard and has been separated from God by sin (Isa 59:2; Rom 3:23, 5:16-20). The disobedience of God’s laws and requirements is unrighteousness, and all unrighteousness is SIN (Rom 7:11-13; 1 John 1:9). Man is in need of a Savior (John 3:17; Rom 3:23; 1 John 1:9, 4:14).

Because of God’s love for us, God the Father sent His only SON to save the world from sin (John 3:16-17; Gal 4:4; Rom 5:16-20; 1 John 4:10, 14). JESUS is the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity (Matt 14:33, 27:54; Mark 1:1, 3:11; Luke 1:35; John 3:16, 14:7). Born of a virgin, He is both fully man and fully God (Matt 1:18; Luke 1:27-35). He is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophesies of the coming Messiah; Prophet, Priest, and King; the Savior (Matt 2:2, 16:13-17, 21:13, 27:11; Luke 18:31, 22:37, 24:45-47; John 2:14-17, Heb 8:1). Jesus lived the exemplary life on earth (2 Cor 5:21; Rom 5:19; 1 Pet 2:22; 1 John 3:5). His sinless life satisfies God’s requirement for perfection and is the substitute for mankind (Rom 5:18-19; Heb 9:25-26). Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice, atoning for all the sins of the world (John 1:29; Rom 5:16-20). He laid down His life to redeem us from the judgment of the Law. (Gal 3:13-14, 4:4-5; Titus 2:14; 1 Pet 1:18-19) He reconciled us, bringing us back into a right relationship with God (Rom 5:10; 2 Cor 5:18; Col 1:19-23). Jesus defeated death when God raised Him from death on the third day (Acts 2:23-24, 2:32, 3:15, 10:39-40; Rom 4:24, 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:14; 1 Pet 1:21).

God desires that everyone come to repentance (turning from sin) and be saved (Mark 1:4, 1:15; Luke 5:31-33; John 3:16, 5:34, 10:9; Acts 2:21, 2:38; Rom 2:4, 5:9-10). SALVATION is a gift from God (Rom 5:16, 6:23; Eph 2:8-9). We are saved by grace through faith in His Son Jesus Christ (Rom 10:9-10; Eph 2:8-9). We are justified through believing in our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are saved by the profession of our faith that Jesus is Lord (Rom 10:9-10).

After Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to many witnesses and then ascended to heaven (Mark 16:12-14; John 21:1, 21:14; Acts 1:3). He is now seated at the right hand of the Father (Matt 26:64; Mark 14:62; Luke 22:69; Acts 2:32-34; Eph 1:20; Col 3:1; Heb 1:3, 8:1, 12:1-2). He did not leave us to be alone (John 14:16-18, 16:7). Jesus sent the HOLY SPIRIT to be our Helper, our Comforter (Luke 24:49; John 1:33, 14:16-17, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7). The Holy Spirit exalts Jesus and convicts man of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (John 15:26, 16:8-10). Upon the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit dwells in every believer providing power for living, guidance, and understanding of spiritual truth (Luke 11:13, 12:12; John 14:26; Acts 2:4, 2:38, 11:17-18).