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 (NIV)
In non-essential beliefs – we are nonjudgmental
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters … Who are you to judge someone else’s 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 things keep between yourself and God.” Rom.14: 1, 4, 12, 22 (NIV)
In all our beliefs – we show love.
“… If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Cor. 13:2 (NIV)
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. The three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26-27,3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 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 human 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 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 is the giver of every spiritual gift. 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; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
4. ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s Word. Human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for beliefs and living. Because God inspires it, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 1:13-14; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
5. ABOUT HUMANITY
People are made in the image of God, to be like Him. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by sin that 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 believing in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness, repenting of our sins, confessing Christ as Lord, and being baptized into his name for the forgiveness of our sins, can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26,27;
Romans 5:1; Acts 2:38
7. ABOUT ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin in hell, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation, in heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; John 2:25; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15
