The Basics 102 - In Depth Discussion of Our Core Beliefs

 “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”   --  Jesus of Nazareth

 

The Bible

The sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, the 66 books of the Old and New Testament. It was uniquely, verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit and was written without error. The inspiration involved dual authorship of the author who wrote and the guidance by the Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches its’ inspiration and Jesus affirmed it. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 3:16; Psalm 119:105, 106; Acts 1:16; 4:25; 1 Corinthians 2:10; John 10:35; Mark 12:36; Matthew 5:18; 4:1-11)  

 

God

There is only one God, who is spirit, person, life, self-existent, unchangeable, unlimited and is one. He is infinite in his presence, power, wisdom, knowledge, justice, holiness, goodness and love. He is the creator of the universe, eternally existing in three persons (the Trinity)—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each of whom possesses all the attributes of deity and the characteristics of personality. (Genesis 1:1-2; Psalm 11:7; 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 1:16; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 4:8; Romans 2:5-11; Habakkuk 1:13; Isaiah 48:16; Hebrews 9:14; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

 

Jesus Christ 

God the Father, by his own choice and out of love for sinful men and women, sent Jesus Christ into the world to reconcile sinners to himself. Jesus Christ is the God-man, being both fully deity and fully man, whose existence is eternal and through whom all things were made. He holds the three anointed offices of prophet, priest and king as the Old Testament attests to him. Jesus Christ was of a virgin birth, lived a sinless life and voluntarily suffered and died as our substitute and representative to pay the penalty for our sins, thus satisfying God’s justice and accomplishing salvation for all those who trust in him alone. He rose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which he lived and died. He bodily ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the father, where he, the only mediator between God and man, makes intercession for his own. He will return to earth personally, visibly, and bodily to judge all men and establish his kingdom. (Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 53:5; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1-5; 8:58; 14:14-15; Acts 1:9-11; 17:7, 25; Hebrews 4:14-15; 9:11-14; Deuteronomy 18:15-19; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; 1 Peter 2:22; 3:18; 1 John 3:5) 

 

Man

God created man in his own image, and man as he was originally created, was innocent before God. But man chose to sin by disobeying God and therefore was alienated from his Creator and came under divine condemnation, thereby making all human beings born with a sin nature and without spiritual life. Man is totally incapable of pleasing God by his own merits. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:2-6; Isaiah 53:6; 59:1-2; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23)

 

Salvation 

Men and women are freed from the penalty of their sins not as a result, in whole or in part, of their works, goodness, or religious ceremony, but by the undeserved favor of God alone. God declares righteous all who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation. The plan of salvation is fourfold: 1.A knowledge of the need of salvation. 2. A knowledge of the penalty of sin. 3. A knowledge of God’s provision for that penalty of sin. 4. A faith response to the Good News. (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9; John 1:12; 14:6; Titus 3:5)

 

Assurance  

All who are born again of the Spirit can be fully assured of their life from the very moment they put their faith in Christ. This assurance is not based on any human merit, but upon God’s choice in Christ, upon Christ’s complete payment for sins, and upon the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the guarantee of our inheritance. (John 5:24, 10:29; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10; 1 Peter 1:3-5)

 

Holy Spirit

 The Holy Spirit is deity, has existed eternally and, as part of the Trinity, should be treated as a person. He has a ministry in the life of the believer and in the world. The Holy Spirit has come into the world to reveal and glorify Christ, to convict men and women of their sins, and imprt new life and nature to all who place their faith in Christ. He indwells believers from the moment of spiritual birth, seals them until the day of redemtion and empowers them to live a life pleasing to God.  (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 5:3; 7:51; 10:19; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; 5:18; Galatians 5:25; Titus 3:5; Psalm 51:11)

 

Church

As the local assembly, baptized believers make up the church and should come together for worship, prayer, fellowship, and teaching in order to become conformed to the image of Christ and to become equipped to carry out the Great Commission that Christ gave his followers following his resurrection. (Acts 2:42-47; 9:31; Galatians 1:2; Ephesians 3:21) 

 

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

Believers make up the church worldwide.  Jesus Christ has instructed those who believe in Him to be baptized in water as a symbol of their new birth in Christ and to signify their fellowship with the church. Baptism is by immersionand only for those who have personally believed in Christ. Jesus Christ also instituted the Lord's Supper as a remembrance of His suffering, death and resurrection. Although baptism and the Lord's Supper do not help a person obtain eternal life, they are expressions of devotion, worhip and faith that bring great benefit tot he beliver.(Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30)