The Bible

The Bible is God's Word to all men. 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 truth without any mixture of error.

II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160 & 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

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 one God.

Genesis 1:1,26,27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14

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 all the sins of all men 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 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; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is equal with The Father and The Son as 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. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.

II Corinthians 3:17, John 16:17-13 & 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12 & 3:16; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

Baptism In the Holy Spirit

Given at Pentecost, it is the promise of The Father, sent by Jesus after His ascension, to empower the Church to preach the Gospel throughout the whole earth. The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. The Bible lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations, All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of biblical parameters.

Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5, 2:1-4, 17, 38-39, 8:14-17, 10:38, 44-47, 11:15-17, 19:1-6; Hebrews 2:4; Romans 1:11,12, :4-8; Ephesians 4:16; II Timothy 1:5-16, 4:14; I Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-40; I Peter 4:10

Man

Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. He is supreme object of God's creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates man from God.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2

Salvation

Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can man 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

Heaven and Hell

Heaven is the eternal dwelling place for all believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Hell is the eternal dwelling place for all unbelievers.

Matthew 5:3, 12, 20, 6:20, 19:21, 24:34; John 17:24; II Corinthians 5:1, Hebrews 11:16; I Peter 1:4; Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9-11, 20:12-15, 21:8

Second Coming of Christ

Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures

Matthew 24:30, 26:63-64, Acts 1:9-11; I Thessalonians 4:15-17; II Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7

Two Ordinances:

Water Baptism: Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the Name of The Father and of The Son and of The Holy Spirit

Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38

The Lord's Supper: A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice (the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross

Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48; I Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25