Bible

The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It tells the true story of God, man, sin, redemption, and reconciliation. Scripture is comprised of thirty-nine books of the Old Testament and twenty-seven books of the New Testament. Since the Word is inspired by God, the Bible is the supreme source of truth, without error, and completely relevant for daily living

Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalm 119:11, 89, 105; Proverbs 30:5; Isaiah 40:8; John 5:39; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 1:1-2

Trinity

There is one God: infinite, eternal, almighty, and perfect in holiness, truth, and love. In the unity that is God, there are three co-existent, co-equal, and co-eternal persons: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each person within this one God serves a different role.

Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 61:1; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; James 2:19

God

God the Father is the Creator of heaven and earth. God is great, all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and holy. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises. God is sovereign, created all things for the praise of His glory, and intends for man to live in a right relationship with Him

Exodus 3:14; Psalm 11:4-6; John 3:16; 14:1; Acts 17:28; Romans 3:3-4

Jesus

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He was present with the Father at creation and had fellowship with the Father and Spirit before man was created. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life, and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people through His death on the cross. After three days, Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death so that we could have life. He is God’s plan for bringing those who are enemies of God back into a right relationship with Him. Through his substitutionary death, He revealed divine love and upheld divine justice, removing our guilt and reconciling us to God. He ascended to heaven and will return to earth one day to reign as King.

Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:18-23; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Peter 2:24

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus. He unites believers to Jesus Christ through faith and dwells within them. He provides Christians with the power for righteous living, an understanding of spiritual truth, and the guidance for doing what is right. He convicts people of sin, comforts, gives spiritual gifts, and makes people more like Christ.

Genesis 1:2, Psalm 51:2; Acts 1:8; John 16:8-11; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13

The Gospel

Jesus Christ is the gospel, the good news revealed by His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Christ’s crucifixion is the heart of the gospel, His resurrection the power of the gospel, and His ascension the glory of the gospel. Jesus Christ is the mediator between people and God. Christ’s death satisfies the demands of God’s justice and appeases God’s wrath. There is no other name by which man can be saved. This truth reveals God’s mysterious love and His amazing grace.

Romans 3:22-23; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19

Human Beings

Men and women are made in the image of God. They are to be like Him in character and person. Human beings are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although each person has the potential for good, all are marred by sin against God. Sin separates humans from God and causes hardship in their lives. As a result of sin, people cannot attain a right relationship with God through their own efforts.

Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:22-23; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; Colossians 1:21-22

Salvation

The blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross provides the only way to salvation—through forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned through a person’s efforts.

Isaiah 1:18; Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:68-69; John 1:12; 3:16; Acts 2:21; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:8-10; Revelation 3:20

Eternity

Humans were created to exist forever, either eternally connected with God through forgiveness and salvation in heaven or eternally separated from God in hell. Heaven and hell are real places.

John 3:16; 14:17; Romans 6:23; 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9

The Church

By His Word and by His Spirit, God created the Church, the body of all believers, calling sinful people into fellowship. The Church is not a religious institution or denomination. Rather, the Church, the body of Christ, is made up of those who have become followers of Jesus Christ. The Church exists to worship and serve God by doing His will. The Church has been called to preach the gospel and make disciples to transform the world. The Holy Spirit has gifted the Church for equipping people to mature and grow. All members of the body of Christ are to be a vital and committed part of the local church (the church). All members are to be equipped for ministry to one another and to the world.

Ephesians 1:22; Matthew 16:18; 28:18-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Ephesians 4:4-6

Last Things

As revealed in His Word, God will bring this world to an end at His set time. Jesus Christ will fulfill His promise and physically return to the earth in glory. At this time, the dead will be raised, and Jesus will judge all people in righteousness. According to Scripture, each person will receive their reward. The righteous will dwell forever in heaven with the Lord in resurrected and glorified bodies based solely on their faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The unrighteous will be consigned to hell, the place of everlasting punishment, for rejecting the provision of God for their sins.

Revelation 21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Hebrews 9:27-28; Revelation 21:27