BIBLE – GOD WROTE A BOOK

The Bible is God’s Word to all people.  It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Because it was inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error and is completely relevant to our daily lives.  (Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalms 119:11, 89, 105; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 3:16)

TRINITY – GOD: THREE IN ONE

God has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity.  He exists as one substance in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.  (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 1:35; John 5:21-23; 14:10, 16; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:8-10; James 2:19)

THE FATHER – GOD IS GREAT, GOD IS GOOD

God is great: He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, holy.  It is in Him that we live, move and exist.  God is good: He is our Father.  He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises. (Exodus 3:14; Numbers23:19; Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; Psalm 11:4-6; Malachi 3:6 John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:1; Acts 17:28; Romans 3:3-4)

THE SON – GOD BECAME MAN

Jesus Christ is completely human, but at the same time completely God.  He is the only plan for bringing people who are enemies of God back into a right relationship with God.  He lived a perfect life, so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection.  He received the punishment for our sins when He died on the cross to satisfy God’s wrath.  He defeated death in His resurrection so that we could have life.  (Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 28:5-6; Luke 22:70; 24:46-47; John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 11:25-27; 17:1-5; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 8:1-3; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Gal 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-15; 12:2; 13:8; 1 John 4:14-15)

THE HOLY SPIRIT – GOD IS ALWAYS PRESENT

His presence assures us of our relationship with Christ.  He guides believers into all truth, and exalts Christ.  He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgement.  He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Christ.  (Genesis 1:2; Psalms 51:11; 139:7 ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Mark 1:10; Lk 1:35; 4:1; 11:13; 12:12; John 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 13:2; Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 22:17)

ETERNITY – SOMEWHERE FOREVER

Man was created to exist forever.  He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union 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 places of eternal existence.  (John 3:16, 36; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13;  Revelation 20:15)

MAN – GOD’S IMAGE BEARERS

Man is made in the image of God and is the supreme object of His creation.  Man was created to have fellowship with God, but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience.  As a result, man cannot attain a right relationship with God through his own effort.   Every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love.  (Genesis 1:26-30; 2:7, 18-22; 3; Psalms 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6; 7:14-25; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22; Ephesians 2; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11)

SALVATION – GOD’S ONLY WAY

The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the 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 it cannot be earned through our own efforts.  (Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7; Matthew 1:21; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24; 10:9-10; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; Romans 1:16-18; 3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6; 10:9-10, 13; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 3:20)

THE CHURCH – GOD’S DESIGN FOR COMMUNITY

The church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith in Christ.  It is committed to the teachings of Christ, to obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the gospel to the world.  The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.  (Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32; Colossians 1:18; 3:15; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 21:2-3)