Church Faith
The Essentials:
We Believe About God: God is the creator and ruler of the universe. God has eternally existed in three persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 44:6; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:29; Acts 5:3-4; II Corinthians 13:14; I Peter 1:2)
About Jesus Christ:
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was born
of a virgin and lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and one day will return to earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1-5; 8:54-58; 10:30-38, 14:6-11; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4, 3:21-26; I Corinthians 15:3-4; II Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 1:15-20; I Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:2-3, 4:14-15; I John 2:1-2)
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 people aware of their need for salvation in Jesus Christ. He also indwells every believer from the moment they trust in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit provides the Christian with power for living and the ability to understand spiritual truth, gives spiritual gifts, and guides the believer in what is right. As believers, we seek to live under His control each day. (John 14:16-17, 26, 16:7-15; Acts 1:8, 5:3-4; Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 2:9-13, 3:16, 12:1-11, 13; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 1:13-14, 5:18; II Timothy 1:14)
About the Bible:
The Bible is God’s inspired, infallible, inerrant Word. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth and authority for Christian belief and living. (Psalm 119:105-160; Proverbs 30:5; Luke 24:27; Acts 17:2-3; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; II Peter 1:20-21)
About Salvation:
We are saved only by God’s sovereign grace. Salvation is God’s free gift to us, which we must accept by true and sincere faith. No one can ‘earn’ salvation by self-improvement or good works. Salvation is possible only by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died on the cross and shed His blood for our sins. Eternal life begins the moment anyone receives Jesus Christ into their life by faith as Lord and Savior. Once saved, all of the redeemed are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. (John 1:12-13, 3:16, 6:44,47, 17:3; Romans 3:21-24, 3:27-28; 5:1-2, 6:23; 8:29-30, 9:14-18; Galatians 2:16, 3:26; Ephesians 1:3-8, 1:11, 2:8-9; Philippians 1:6; Titus 3:3-7)
About the return of Jesus Christ:
Jesus is now in heaven preparing a place for those who believe in Him. He will return one day to judge the world and to establish His kingdom. (Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:24-29, 14;1-3; Acts 1;10-11; II Corinthians 5:10; I Thessalonians 4:13-18, II Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelations 20:11-21:8)
Christ’s Return:
We believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission. (Matthew 24:35-42; 25:31; Mark 8:35-38; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:6-11; Revelation 22:16,20; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16)
