The Scriptures
The Holy Bible was written by men who were divinely inspired by God. It is God's revelation of Himself to humanity. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and spiritual opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Jesus Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation. (Mk 13:31; Jn 8:31-32; Acts 20:32; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21)
The Trinity
There is one and only one living and true God. The triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being. Each member of the Trinity is worthy of worship and honor. (Gen 1:1,26; Deut. 6:4; Matt 28:19; Jn 1:1,3; 4:24; Rom 1:19-20; Eph 4:5-6)
God the Father
God the Father is eternal and self-existent. He is the author of creation and reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. God is Father to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. (Mt 23:9; Lk 10:21-22; Jn 3:16; 6:27; Rom 1:7; 1 Tim 1:1-2; 2:5-6; 1 Pet 1:3; Rev 1:6)
God the Son
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He was the physical agent of creation and is the ongoing sustainer of the universe. In His incarnation, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He honored the divine law by His perfect obedience. Jesus was executed by being nailed to a cross. He died willingly, and His blood provides the perfect and only sacrifice for sin. Jesus was buried in a tomb, and on the third day after His death He came back to life, demonstrating that His sacrifice for sin on our behalf was accepted by the Father. Jesus returned to heaven and is our advocate in the presence of the Father. (Mt 1:18-25; 20:28; Lk 1:26-38; Jn 1:1; 20:28,30-31; Acts 1:11; Rom 5:6-8; 6:9-10; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 1:4-5; Col. 1:15-20; 1 Pet 2:21-24; Heb 7:25; 9:28)
God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine and eternal. He exalts Jesus Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He resides in the life of every follower of Christ, enlightening and empowering believers in worship, evangelism, and service. (Jn 3:6-8; 14:14-26; 15:26-27; 16:7-14; Rom 8:8, 13-14, 26-29; 12:4-8; 1 Cor 3:16; 6:11,19; 12:1-31; 2 Cor 3:16-18; Gal 4:29; 5:18; Eph 3:16; 4:1-13; 2 Th 2:13; 2 Tim 1:7; Tit 3:5; Rom 15:16)
Spiritual Birth
People are the special creation of God, made in His own image. But tragically, our first parents disregarded God’s instruction, bringing disobedience (sin) into the world and separation from our Creator. Each of us is born with a sin nature. This is why there is conflict between individuals and between nations, as well as an absence of peace in each person’s heart. Because God is holy, He cannot tolerate sin in His presence. Sin brings a curse and spiritual death.
Into this world of sin Jesus was born. Jesus lived a perfect life and gave His own blood to provide the only way of forgiveness. All who believe that the blood of Christ is the only satisfactory payment for sin, and that He took their place in dying for their personal sins, experience spiritual birth, the forgiveness of all their sins, and newness of life. They are adopted into God’s family forever. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in their hearts, and He gives them the power and the desire to turn from sin in repentance. Those whom God has accepted in Christ and sanctified by His Spirit will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. (Gen 1:26; 2:17; 3:19; 5:2; Ps 51:7; Prov 28:13; Ecc 2:11; Jer 17:9; Jn 1:12-13; 3:14; 5:24,30; 8:12; 10:26-28; 16:8; Rom 3:19-20; 5:19; 8:1-17; 9:14-24; 2 Cor 1:21-22; 2 Cor 5:17; 2 Th 1:9; 2:13; Tit 3:5-7; 1 Jn 1:9; Jam 1:14; Rev 21:1-8)
The Church
The word church stems from the Greek word ekklesia, which literally means “called-out ones.” All who trust in Christ and turn from their sins are called out of the selfish world system and brought into God’s family. All Christians should pursue fellowship with their fellow believers and to exercise the spiritual gifts God has given them to serve the church. Together the people of God are called to be salt and light to the world in order to lead others into faith in Jesus Christ. (Acts 1:8; 2:41-42; Eph 2:19-22; 5:19-21; Col 1:13-14; Col. 1:18; Heb 10:23-25)
Baptism & the Lord's Supper
The Bible teaches that baptism is the immersion of a believer in water. It is an outward expression of the spiritual reality that has already taken place in the life of the believer. It symbolizes the believer's faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus.
The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming. (Mt 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-42; 8:36-39; Rom 6:1-11; Mt 26:26-29; Mk 14:22-25; Lk 22:17-20; 1 Cor 10:16-17; 11:23-26; 1 Pet 3:21)
Last Things
God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly. The dead will be raised, and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell. The righteous will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord. (Mt 16:27; Mk 14:62; Jn 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Cor 4:5; 15:20-24,35-58; Phil 3:20; 1 Th 4:14-18; 2 Th 1:6-10; 2 Tim 4:1; Tit 2:13; Rev 20:4-15)