GOD –God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These 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; 2 Corinthians 13:14
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 the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven and will return again someday to earth to reign.
Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13
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 Christians with power for living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance for 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.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18, Galatians 5:25
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 truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalms 12: 6, 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5
HUMAN BEINGS –People are made 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.
Genesis 1:27; Psalms 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1-2, Romans 3:23
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 sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and look to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his/her life by faith.
Romans 6:23, 5:1, Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26
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" your salvation. 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.
John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
ETERNITY –People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated form God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in unison with Him is eternal life (Heaven). Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; 1 John 2:25, 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 18:8, 25:44, 46
THE LOCAL CHURCH –The local church is a body of believers organized for worship, ministry and fellowship. The two ordinances of the church are Baptism (immersion) and the Lord’s Supper. The local church is an independent and self-governing body responsible to Christ alone who is its savior and lord.
Romans 6:3, 4; Matthew 26:26-28, 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26