WHAT WE
BELIEVE
IN ESSENTIALS 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
IN NON-ESSENTIALS WE HAVE LIBERTY “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 these things keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:1,4,12,22
OUR ESSENTIAL BELIEFS
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.
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 earth to reign as King
of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
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 gives every believer a spiritual gift
when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control
daily.
4. About the Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the
supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of
truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it
is the truth without any mixture of error.
5. About Human Beings
People are created in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in
character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every
person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an
attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates
people from God and causes many problems in life.
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 trusting in
Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from the
penalty of sin. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in
faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus
Christ into his life by faith.
7. About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer
is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely
saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and
power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and
keeping power of God that gives us this security.
8. About Eternity
People are created to exist forever. Each person will exist eternally
separated from God by sin, or eternally 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 real places of eternal
existence.