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 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22 || Psalm 90:2 || Matthew 28:19 || 1 Peter 1:2 || 2 Corinthians 13:14)

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Humanity
Humanity was  made in the spiritual image of God to be like Him in character. We are the supreme object of God’s creation and love. Although we have tremendous potential for good, we are marred by an attitude of disobedience towards God called “sin.” This attitude separates us from God until the relationship is restored through a personal commitment to Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:27 || Psalms 8:3-6 || Isaiah 53:6 || Romans 3:23 || Isaiah 59: 1-2)

 

 Eternity
Humans were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union 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 places of eternal existence. (John 3:16 || 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13 || Romans 6:23 || Revelation 20:15)

 

 Jesus
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Simultaneously all man and all God, 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 God’s power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again 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 || 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4 || Romans 1:3-4 Acts 1:9-11 || 2 Timothy 6:14-15 || Titus 2:13)

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Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God. 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 we be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (Romans 6:23 || Ephesians 2:8-9 || John 14:6; 1:12 || Titus 3:5 || Galatians 3:26 || Romans 5:1)

Further, because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the person. It is grace and the keeping power of God that gives this security. (John 10:29 || 2I Timothy 1:12 || Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14 || 1 Peter 1:3-5)

Obviously, this does not mean that “anything goes” in a believer’s life, as the Bible is clear that believers are meant to live a new life and that inactive faith is not faith at all (Ephesians 2:10 || James 2:17-26 || Hebrews 10:26-29). The idea is that God does not renege on His promises merely because of human weakness (Matthew 26:41 || Romans 7:21-8:1 || 2 Timothy 2:13), and that true faith cannot truly be “renounced” (1 John 2:19).

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 The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. As the Mediator of Jesus’ Person, He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, guidance in doing what is right, and gifts for serving God and others. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily. (2 Corinthians 3:17 || John 16:7-13; 14:16-17 || Acts 1:8 || 2 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16 || Ephesians 1:13 Galatians 5:25 || Ephesians 5:18)

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Scripture
The Bible, comprised of the Old Testament and the New Testament, is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for living. (2 Timothy 3:16 || 2 Peter 1:20-21 || 2 Timothy 1:13 || Psalms 119:105, 160; 12:6 || Proverbs 30:5)

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The Church
The Church is a local expression of the entire body of believers from all times and places. It is a group of Christ-followers whose purpose is to continue the mission and ministry of Jesus Himself in the world –to be Christ’s “flesh and blood” on the earth. As such, God literally allows the church to join Him in changing the world. (Matthew 28:19-20 || John 20:21 || Luke 4:18-19 || 1 Corinthians 3:9; 12:27)

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 Ministry and Spiritual Gifts
God is sovereign in the bestowing of spiritual gifts. It is, however, the believer’s responsibility to attempt to develop his/her sovereignly given spiritual gift(s). The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion (the commitment to follow Jesus) and is the placing of the believer into the Body of Christ. Also, particular spiritual gift(s) are neither essential, nor prove the presence of the Holy Spirit, nor are an indication of deep spiritual experience. God hears and answers the prayer of faith, in accordance with His own will, for the sick and afflicted. It is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to the gift(s) and grace of God that is given to him. (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, 13 || Ephesians 4:7-8 || John 15:7 || 1 John 5:14, 15 || Romans 12:1-8 || 1 Corinthians 13 || 1 Peter 4:10-11)