JESUS
THE ONLY HOPE FOR MAN’S ETERNAL SALVATION IS JESUS THE MESSIAH
(Luke 1:35; Romans 3:24; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; John 14:5-7)
Jesus is the Son of God promised through Old Testament prophets and as recorded in the New Testament of the Bible. He is both perfect man and God and his atoning sacrifice for our sin is the only means by which we can receive forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Therefore death is no longer something to be feared.
TRIUNE GOD
THERE IS ONE TRUE GOD REVEALED TO US IN THREE PERSONS: THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
(Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 11:26-28)
There is one God: infinite, eternal, almighty and perfect in holiness, truth and love. In the unity of the Godhead there are three persons. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, co-existent, co-equal and co-eternal. The Father is not the Son and the Son is not the Holy Spirit, yet each is truly Deity. They are one God, in three persons.
THE BIBLE
THE BIBLE IN IT’S ENTIRETY IS THE TRUE AND INSPIRED WORD OF GOD
(Isaiah 55:9-11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12-13)
The 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 New Testament books are the inspired Word of God through which He continues to speak to humankind. His Word is the foundation of our teaching, the direction for our lives and lays out the hope of salvation for all humankind through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
SIN
WE BELIEVE IN THE TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF HUMANKIND
(Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23, 5:12; Ephesians 3:1-3,12)
God made man – male and female – in His own image, and without sin. He also gave them freewill and the ability to deny Him. Tempted by Satan to do just that, mankind fell into a broken relationship with God. Being estranged from his Maker, yet responsible to Him, we became subject to divine wrath, inwardly depraved and apart from a special work of grace, utterly incapable of returning to God. Because of this mankind is at enmity with God, hostile toward God and hateful of God. Fallen, sinful people, no matter how “good” or “religious” they are… are lost and without hope apart from salvation in Christ.
CHURCH
THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IS TO EQUIP PEOPLE TO KNOW, FOLLOW AND SHARE WHO JESUS IS AND WHAT HE HAS DONE
(Ephesians 4:7-13; Colossians 1:18)
The church at it’s most basic definition is the people of God and not the building, worship or organization. The role of the church is to equip, mentor and hold each other accountable to following Jesus. It is the body of Christ and is meant to be a community of people who hold each other accountable and proclaim the glory of Jesus. The church is a body, made up of many diverse parts. Everyone has a gift and everyone has a calling, as God sees fit.
DEVIL
THE DEVIL IS THE ADVERSARY OF GOD AND HIS CHURCH
(Genesis 3; 1 Chronicles 21:1; Mark 4:15; Luke 22:3; Acts 5:4-6; 2 Corinthians 11:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:9)
The devil is the real and active adversary of God. He is a fallen angel who fell in love with his own glory. He tempted Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, he prowls the earth like a lion looking for whom he can devour. Satan is not the ruler of Hell but will bear the brunt of its worst punishment. He was defeated along with death and sin when Jesus rose victorious from the dead. Do not fear Satan or the spiritual forces of evil in this world for Jesus has overcome them.
SACRAMENT
WE TREASURE AND CELEBRATE THE SACRAMENTS
(Matthew 28:16-20; Titus 3:5; Romans 6:1-11; 1 Corinthians 11:17-23)
Sacrament is not a Biblical word but it is used to describe Biblical things that God commanded us to do. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are connected to Jesus. They point us to Jesus sacrifice, death and resurrection. They remind us of our sin and bathe us the hope of new life through Him. Jesus commands us to Baptize in His name and to celebrate the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Him.