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Beliefs A. WHAT WE BELIEVE
# 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 falls... 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)
# In all our beliefs - we show charity (love).
"If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also
the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains, but have no
love, I amount to nothing at all." (1 Corinthians 13:2)
B. THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE
1. ABOUT 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)
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 Heavens glory and will
return again some day to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
(Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; Colossians 1:15-18)
3. ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with God 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. As Christians we seek to live
under His control daily. He gives
every believer at least one spiritual gift or anointing to further His work, both within us and in witnessing to Him. Believers are encouraged to
be filled with the Holy Spirit and desire the greater gifts. And the greatest is Love.
(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1
Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 12:27 - 13:13)
4. ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is Gods Word. It was written by human authors,
under the supernatural guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme
source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because the Bible is inspired by God, it
is the truth without any mixture of error.
(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Proverbs 30:5; Psalm
119:105, 160)
5. ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS
People are made in the spiritual image of God to be like Him in
character. People are the supreme object of Gods 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; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,
2)
6. ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is Gods free gift to us, but we must accept it. We
can never make up for our sins by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in
Jesus Christ as Gods offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sins
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.
(Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5;
Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)
7. ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true
believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If one has been genuinely saved, he
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 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter
1:3-5)
8. ABOUT ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist
eternally separated from God by sin or eternally 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 real places of eternal existence.
(John 3: 16; 1 John 5:11-13; Roman 6:23)
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