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Core Beliefs
In essential beliefs we have unity (Ephesians 4.4-6).
In non-essential beliefs we have liberty (Romans 14.1, 4,
12).
In all our beliefs we show love (1 Corinthians 13:2).
The Essentials:
About God
There is one God, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit, each possessing all the attributes of Deity. God is the creator of the
universe and can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine (Genesis
1:1,26,27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is fully human and fully God. He lived a sinless life on earth
and willingly paid the price for our sin by dying on the cross as our perfect
substitute. He physically rose from the dead to demonstrate His power over sin
and death and is the only mediator between God and us. He ascended to Heaven’s
glory and will return again to consummate history and reign as the eternal Lord
and King (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 equal with the Father and the Son as God. The Spirit is
present in the world to draw people closer to God and in the lives of believers
to guide them daily and equip them for living the Christian life and serving God
with spiritual gifts. We seek to be filled with and guided by God’s Spirit. We
believe God gives every believer gifts through the Spirit. We do not believe we
should seek after certain gifts to demonstrate spiritual maturity (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 sole basis of our belief is the Bible, which is uniquely God-inspired
and the final authority on all matters that it addresses. The Bible was written
by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the
supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Specific ministry
methods are often geared for particular cultures, we seek to use methods
relevant for our culture while using the eternal principles of the Bible as our
guide (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
Every person has worth as a creation of God. People matter to God. We are
created in the spiritual image of God, to be like God 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 (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a;
Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2).
About Our Relationship to God
God took the initiative and offered eternal life as a free gift to us but we
must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good
works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can
anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and
turn to Jesus in faith and obedience we are saved by the grace of God through
faith. The Christian faith is a lifelong process of continually growing in our
relationship to God, it’s not just a one time or occasional event. Our Faith
in God should motivate us to continuously turn from sinful ways, affirm our
faith to others, be baptized into Christ, and live a life guided by God’s
Spirit (Acts 2.38, 8:6-12, 8:35-39, 19:1-5; Romans 6:23, 10:9;
Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1).
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; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians
2:7-9).
About The Bible
Since God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority,
we accept the Bible as our manual for living (2 Timothy 3.16). It’s the only
trustworthy source of truth. |