God is the loving Creator of all that exists, both seen and unseen. God is eternal and completely good, knowing all things, having all power and majesty. God exists as the Trinity, in three persons, yet one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God passionately desires relationship with us and towards this end continually invites us into a relationship of faith, friendship, learning, and service. (Genesis 1:1; John 14:6-9, 15-17 and John 16:7-15; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 4:9-10)
God expressed himself in human form through His son Jesus Christ. He was born of the virgin Mary (Matthew 1:18-23), lived a sinless life (Hebrew 7:26 & I Peter 2:22 & I John 3:4,5), was crucified for the sins of all (II Corinthians 5:21 & I Peter 2:24 & I Corinthians 15:4), was buried, rose from the dead and ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9,11 & Philippians 2:9-11). Forgiveness of our sins and right relationship with God, are found through Him alone (Romans 10:9-10, Acts 4:12).
God the Holy Spirit, convicts the world of sin and draws us to the Father (John 16:8); He baptizes us into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13); He leads us to truth (John 16:13); He counsels us (John 14:16); He teaches us (John 14:26); He empowers us for witnessing (Acts 1:8); He continually fills us (Acts 4:31, Gal. 5:16-25, Eph. 5:18); He distributes gifts to every believer (1 Cor. 12:4-11). The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) are the by-product of a Spirit-filled life and evidence of spiritual maturity.
The Bible is infallible and the authoritative rule of faith and conduct for mankind (II Timothy 3:15-17, I Thessalonians 2:13 & Peter 1:21).
Man was created in the image of God (Genesis 2:26). However, by a voluntary act of the will, Adam and Eve disobeyed God (Genesis 3:6). That first sin had several repercussions. Man was excommunicated from the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23), a curse was pronounced (Genesis 3:14-19), the process of physical death began (Genesis 2:17), and man died spiritually (Romans 5:12-19). Sin separated humankind from God (Ephesians 2:11-18) and left man in a fallen or sinful condition (Romans 3:23).
The Church is the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:12-27) and has a three-fold purpose: To worship God (I Cor. 12:13), to evangelize the world (Acts 1:8 & Mark 16:15-16), and to equip the community of faith for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16 & I Cor. 12:28, 14:12).
The only means of salvation is Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12 & John 14:6). He died on the cross to pay the penalty of our sins (I Peter 2:24). He offers each of us a pardon for our sins (Hebrews 9:26) and wants us to become children of God (John 1:12). When we put our faith in Christ, it triggers a spiritual chain reaction. We become the Temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 6:19). Our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life (Rev. 3:5). We become citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20-21). We are given eternal life (John 3:16). We are adopted and become children of God (Gal. 4:4-7). Our sins are forgiven and forgotten (Heb. 8:12). We are credited with the righteousness of Christ (Rom. 4:4-5). We are born-again (John 3:3). God takes ownership of us (I Cor. 6:20). We receive an eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14 & I Peter 1:3-5). The evidence of salvation is two-fold. The internal evidence is the direct witness of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16). The external evidence is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). We become a new creation (II Cor. 5:17) and are transformed into the image of Christ (II Cor. 3:18).
The Scripture teaches that all who repent and believe in Christ are to be baptized. (Matthew 28:19) Baptism is a public profession of faith in Christ. It is symbolic of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It is a declaration to all that we have died to sin and have been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).
The Lord's Table consists of two elements: the bread and cup. Those elements are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. Communion is a memorial of Christ's sufferings on the cross and a celebration of our salvation.
The blessed hope (1 Thes. 4:16-17) or the rapture of the church, and the Millennial reign of Christ (Matt. 24:27,30, Rev. 19:11-14, 20:1-6), are literal events that will take place to begin the restoration of all things. There will be a final judgment in which the dead will be resurrected and judged according to their works (Matt. 25:31-46 & Romans 2:1-9). Everyone whose name is not found written in the Book of Life, along with the devil and his angels, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:11-15).
God the Holy Spirit, convicts the world of sin and draws us to the Father (John 16:8); He baptizes us into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13); He leads us to truth (John 16:13); He counsels us (John 14:16); He teaches us (John 14:26); He empowers us for witnessing (Acts 1:8); He continually fills us (Acts 4:31, Gal. 5:16-25, Eph. 5:18); He distributes gifts to every believer (1 Cor. 12:4-11). The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) are the by-product of a Spirit-filled life and evidence of spiritual maturity.