HOLY BIBLE

The Holy Bible, and only the Bible, is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible, and without error (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25- 26).

TRINITY

There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and co-eternal (I John 5:7; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 3:7-11).

JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the only man to have ever lived without committing sin. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind and thus, atoned for our sins through shedding His blood on the cross at Calvary. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father where He reigns ever making intercession for His people, and will return again in power and glory. (John 1:1,14; 20:28, I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5-6; John 17:9, 15, 21-22; I Timothy 2:5).

VIRGIN BIRTH

Jesus Christ was supernaturally conceived by God the Father through the Holy Spirit (the third person of the Trinity) in the virgin Mary's womb; therefore, He is the Son of God (Matthew 1:18, 25; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18, 23-25; Luke 1:27-35).

REDEMPTION

Man was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression he fell; his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God. (Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21).

REGENERATION

For anyone to know God, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential (John 6:44, 65).

SALVATION

We are saved by grace (which is undeserved and cannot be earned) through faith in Jesus Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not the result of our good works, of our performance, or of any human efforts. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22).

SIN

Sin is any word, thought, or action which willfully violates God, the Bible, or people created in His image. Only willing repentance, yielding in salvation, and being washed in the blood of Jesus Christ can break sin's power over people's lives.

REPENTANCE

The act of turning away from sin in all areas of our lives to follow and obey Jesus Christ, so we can receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Thus, through repentance we receive forgiveness of sins and appropriate salvation (Acts 2:21, 3:19; I John 1:9).

SANCTIFICATION

The ongoing process of yielding to God, developing Christ's character, and maturing our faith more each day. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit that the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (II Peter 1: 3-9; I Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; II Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18, II Thessalonians 2:1-3, Romans 8:29, 12:1-2, Hebrews 2:11).

JESUS' BLOOD

The Blood that Jesus Christ shed on the Cross of Calvary was sinless and is 100% sufficient to cleanse mankind of all sin. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for our sinfulness and the specific sins we have committed, so all who believe can be fully free from the penalty of sin, which is death (I John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 5:9; Colossians 1:20; Romans 3:10-12, 23, 5:9; John 1:29).

JESUS CHRIST INDWELLS ALL BELIEVERS

Christians are people who have invited Jesus Christ to live inside of them as both Lord and Savior through His Holy Spirit. In so doing, they evidence putting their trust and faith in what Jesus accomplished for them when He died, was buried, and when He rose again from the dead (John 1:12; John 14:17, 23; John 15:4; Romans 8:11; Revelations 3:20).

THE HOLY SPIRIT

As promised by God the Father...the Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus and given at Pentecost after His ascension to enlighten and empower all believers with Scriptural truth, so they could preach the gospel and advance God's Kingdom throughout the earth (Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5, 2:1-4, 38-39, 8:14-17, 10:38, 44-47, 11:15-17, 19:1-6).

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit manifests in the lives of believers through a variety of spiritual gifts for the purpose of building and sanctifying believers and the church, demonstrating the validity of the resurrection, and confirming the power of the Gospel. Bible lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive. Likewise, gifts of the Holy Spirit may occur in various combinations within individual believers based on God's sovereign purpose amid ever-changing circumstances. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the greater gifts in their lives for the common good. These gifts always operate in harmony with God's character and should never be used in a manner that violates Scripture or people. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are all workings of one and the same Spirit and are given as God determines, not as we expect or demand. Therefore, we must exercise our spiritual gifts with sensitivity, balance, and love as we endeavor to bring life to the Body of Christ (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).

THE CHURCH

The church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through His Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Jesus' great commission. Every person who is born of the Spirit is an integral part of the church as a member of the body of believers. There is a spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23; Acts 2: 44, 5:32).

TWO SACRAMENTS

WATER BAPTISM: Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is admonished by Scripture to submit to water baptism in the Name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38). Baptism in water is merely an outward testament to an inward spiritual transaction and transformation that occurs within every true believer who accepts and submits to Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

THE LORD'S SUPPER

A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread (signifying the body of Jesus Christ) and wine (or grape juice signifying the blood of Jesus Christ) are taken by believers 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).

HEALING OF THE SICK

Healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus, and is included in the commission of Jesus to His disciples. Healing is one of the signs that shall follow believers. It is also a part of Jesus' work on the Cross and one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Psalms 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; James 5:14-16; I Corinthians 12:9, 28; Romans 11:29).

RESURRECTION

Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. In addition, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; they that are saved to the resurrection of life and they that are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation (Luke 24:16, 36, 39; John 2:19-21, 20:26-28-28, 21:4 Acts 24:15; I Corinthians 15:42; Philippians 1:21-23, 3:21).

HEAVEN

Heaven is the eternal dwelling place for all who believe in the Gospel of and upon the person of Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:3, 12, 20, 6:20, 19:21, 25:34; John 1:21-23, 3:21).

HELL

After living one life on earth, those who reject Jesus Christ will be judged and sent to Hell where they will join the devil and fallen angels to suffer eternal torment and separation from God (Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27: Revelation 14:9-11, 20:12-15, 21:8).

SECOND COMING

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. However, believers will be able to know the season of Christ's return if they diligently watch for those prophetic, spiritual, and social indicators foretold in Scripture. (Matthew 24:30, 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; I Thessalonians 4:15-17; II Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:3-34).

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