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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 fall... so then each
of us will give an account of himself to God... so whatever
you believe about these things keep between yourself and God." Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22 (NIV)
In all our beliefs - we show love.
"But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." 1 Timothy 1:5
The Essentials we believe:
- About God:
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has
eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19;
2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2.
- About Jesus Christ:
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the
Father. 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 set up His kingdom on earth to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords.
Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30;
Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4;
"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
2 Corinthians 5:21
- 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.
John 14:16-17,16:7-13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8
1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16, 12-14; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18.
- 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. Because it is inspired by God,
it is the truth without any error in the original autographs.
Psalms 12:6, 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5;
2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21.
- About human beings:
People are made in the 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.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:23.
- 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-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
John 14:6, 1:12; Romans 5:1; Romans 6:23;
Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5;
- About eternal security:
Because 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" it. 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; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 Peter 1:3-5;
Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14.
"And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life,
and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life."
1 John 5: 11-12
- About eternity:
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist
eternally separated from God by unbelief, or eternally with God by having faith in Jesus Christ. To be eternally separated
from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17;
Revelation 20:15.
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