The Essentials We Believe:
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 possess equally all the attributes of deity and the characteristics of personality. (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2, 2 Corinthians 13:14)
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 earth 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; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13)
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. (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)
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. Scripture thus at one and the same time speaks with authority of God and reflects the backgrounds, styles, and vocabularies of the human authors. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. It is the written summary of God’s attempts to reach humankind. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. And because God cannot lie, this written Work is completely reliable, so we must let it judge us instead of us judge it. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)
About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of 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.
About Salvation
The central purpose of God’s revelation in Scripture is to call all people into a relationship with Himself. Originally created to have fellowship with God, man defied God, choosing to go his and her independent way and was thus alienated from God and our nature was corrupted.
The common myth that humankind is basically good is not supported by the Bible. We were originally created good, but the first man and woman rebuffed God’s rightful place in their lives, so we are all now infected with disease called ‘sin’ and are spiritually separated from God. This condition is without remedy through any human effort. If God had left us to ourselves, all of us would continue in disobedience and rejection of Him.
The good news is that He has provided a way out of our dilemma through the death of Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for our sins. Those who personally appropriate the forgiveness that God offers will be restored to a right relationship with Him. This new life is a gift; it cannot be earned by our activities nor revoked by our failures – what God begins, he finishes. We live secure in the knowledge that the Christian life we live is in gratitude to God for the salvation He has fully and completely provided; we neither think our obedience adds to His provision for us (as if we could add something to the death of Jesus Christ) or treat His grace in a cavalier manner (as an excuse to live sinfully).
In essential beliefs…we have unity.
“We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. There is only one Lord … and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all …” (Ephesians 4:4–6 NLT)
In non-essential beliefs…we have liberty.
“Accept Christians who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong … Who are you to condemn God’s servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him tell them whether they are right or wrong. The Lord’s power will help them do as they should … Yes, each of us will have to give a personal account to God … You may have the faith to believe that there is nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God.” (Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22 NLT)
In all our beliefs…we show love.
“… If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn’t love others, what good would I be?” (1 Corinthians 13:2 NLT)
