The Bible:
○ Is the inspired, infallible, God breathed Word of God.
○ Is the ultimate authority on all issues pertaining to spiritual life.
○ We believe that God gave us His Word so we can know God personally and we can know how to live our lives.
2 Timothy 3:15 -17
The Trinity:
○ God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), & God the Holy Spirit.
○ God existing in 3 separate persons that are co-equal and co-eternal.
Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, Mark 12:29, John 10:30
God the Father:
○ The one true living God who is an intelligent, spiritual, and a personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe.
○ God is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise.
○ His perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and future.
○ God is infinite & perfect in holiness.
○ God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
○ He is fatherly in His attitude toward all humanity.
Exodus 3:14, Isaiah 43:10, 1 Chronicles 29:10, Matthew 7:11, 23:9
God the Son, Jesus:
○ Born of a virgin, lived on earth as 100% God and 100% man.
○ Died on the cross to atone (paid the price) for our sins.
○ Rose from the dead on the third day & went up to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God, His Father.
○ Sent us the Holy Spirit.
○ He is our mediator and makes salvation possible between God and humanity.
○ Every man, woman, and child can experience a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
○ He will return one day (the Second Coming) to welcome those who have turned from sin, put their faith in Jesus as Lord, & receive His forgiveness, into His kingdom forever.
John 6:39, John 3:16, John 14:6
God the Holy Spirit:
○ Is the Spirit of God, a fully divine person. He exalts Christ.
○ He inspired holy men of old to write The Scriptures.
○ Invites people to accept Jesus Christ, which brings about a significant spiritual inner change in them.
○ Sent to live inside of us, guides, teaches, counsels, comforts, corrects, gives wisdom, peace, reveals sin, and is our Helper this side of Eternity.
○ Empowers the believer, and convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.
○ Through illumination He enables men to understand the Truth and The Bible.
○ He cultivates Christian character.
○ Bestows the spiritual gifts to serve God through His church.
○ He provides an inward assurance that we belong to Jesus.
John 16:7-11, 13, Acts 1:8
Salvation:
○ Accepting Jesus Christ in your heart as your Savior & surrendering your will to His will for your life.
○ By faith accepting His forgiveness & being cleansed by the blood Jesus shed on the cross & it is available to everyone by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
○ After salvation there is an ongoing indwelling work of sanctification through the Holy Spirit that enables a believer to live a holy life.
1 Peter 1:15-16, 2 Corinthians 3:18
Baptism:
○ Immersion in water is an important step of obedience after an individual repents of their sins and in their hearts believes in Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
○ Symbolic of your old life prior to accepting Jesus-being washed away.
○ This represents the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior.
○ Displays public decision to follow Jesus.
Matthew 3:6, 28:19
Spiritual Gifts of The Holy Spirit:
○ Are given by the Lord; Wisdom, knowledge, discernment, healing, faith, working of miracles, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation.
○ Are still relevant and active today.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
The Infilling of the Holy Spirit:
○ Is distinct from salvation.
○ It is a gift that God desires all believers to have to have a more effective prayer life, greater ability to witness, and for their own personal edification.
Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, 19:6, 1 Corinthians 14:2-4
Divine Healing:
○ Is provided for us through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
○ Includes deliverance and healing of both spiritual, physical, & emotional sufferings.
○ God still does miracles.
○ A privilege of all believers.
Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 8:16-17, James 5:14-16
What are our responsibilities as followers of Christ?
○ Daily growth in our relationship with Him through a personal relationship.
○ Share the gospel message with everyone so they will have the opportunity to accept Jesus and have the promise of eternal life.
○ Disciple others to go do the same.
○ Minister to others with love & compassion.
Matthew 28:19
Holy Communion:
What is Communion?
○ An ordinance established by Jesus and given to the church in the new covenant.
○ The elements: bread and fruit of the vine represent the broken body of Jesus and His shed blood to make payment for our sin.
○ A representation of a believer's unity with Christ's life, death, resurrection, and return.
○ We should examine ourselves to ensure that we are taking it in a worthy manner.
Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20, 1 Corinthians 11:27-31
The Blessed Hope:
○ Is the resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ.
○ Represents their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord.
○ The blessed hope is for the Believer.
1 Thessalonians 4:16,17, Titus 2:13, 1 Corinthians 15:5, 52
The New Heavens and the New Earth:
○ "We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."
○ Jesus promised his followers that He will return to earth, set up a new kingdom and judge each person for his actions while living on earth.
2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 20:1-6, 11-15, 21, 22