In essential beliefs - we have unity.
There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord,
one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all.
Eph 4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs - we have
liberty.
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on
disputable matters...Who are you to judge someone else servant? To
his own master he stands or falls . . .So then each of us will give
an account of himself to God . . So whatever you believe about these
things keep between yourself and God.
Romans 14:1,4,12,22
In all our beliefs - we show charity.
If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also
the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move
mountains - but have no love, I amount to nothing at all."
I Cor. 13:2 (Ph)
THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE:
1. 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 are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew
28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14
2. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father.
Jesus lived a sinless 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: I Corinthians 15:3,4: Romans
1:3,4: Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13.
3. 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.
II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts
1:8; I Corinthians 2:12,3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25;
Ephesians 5:18.
4. 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. It is the
supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it
is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
II Timothy 3:16, II Peter 1:20,21; II Timothy
1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
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.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans
3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2.
6. ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is God’s 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 we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment
one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12;
Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
7. ABOUT ETERNITY
People are 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; I Cor. 2:7-9.
