The 10 Basic Things We Believe and Scriptures to Prove Why
1. THE HOLY BIBLE IS YOUR TRUE FRIEND
Many people have been told that the Holy Bible condemns them, even when they have a sincere faith in Christ Jesus. This is false! (Romans 8:1)
The Bible is not the enemy of us fallen creatures. The New Testament does not discriminate against any person, regardless of status, including any minority status (Galatians 3:28). Rather, it is a Love Letter from God, all its recorded sordid details of the human condition notwithstanding. We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the only infallible guide and rule of our faith and practice (Psalm 119:89; Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21). We must not blame the Bible for errors in modern translations and faulty exegesis resulting from ignorance.
2. GOD IS A TRINITY
There is one and only one God. In the unity of the Godhead, there are three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are equal in every divine perfection and attribute, fulfilling distinct, but harmonius, roles in the great work of redemption (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Timothy 1:17).
- God the Father – The Creator of Our Beings
There is God the Father, the co-Creator with the Son and the Holy Spirit, who is the eternal, all powerful, all knowing, everywhere present, and unchangeable Creator of all (Deuteronomy 32:6; Psalm 103:13; Isaiah 63:16; Matthew 6:9; John 5:19-23, 17:1-11; Acts 17:28; Romans 8:14-16; Ephesians 4:6; 1 John 3:1). - God the Son – The Redeemer of Our Souls
There is God the Son, co-Creator with the Father and Holy Spirit. The Son of God took upon Himself human form, being conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and given the name, Jesus. His death by crucifixion and His bodily resurrection provided the means for people to be reconciled to God. He ascended to heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us as the King of kings and
Lord of lords (Isaiah 53:1-5; Matthew 1:21-23; John 1:1-3, 11:25-26; Ephesians 1:20-23; Philippians 2:1-6; 1 Timothy 2:5). - God the Holy Spirit
There is God the Holy Spirit, co-Creator with the Father and Son, who is now sent by the Father through the Son to convict the world of sin, lead us into all truth, and empower and equip the Church to carry on Christ’s work on earth (Genesis 1:2; John 14:26, 15:26, 16:8; Acts 1:8)
3. GOD MADE A DEFINITE PLAN FOR OUR PRESENT REDEMPTION AND ETERNAL SALVATION
Hard as they may try, humans will not succeed, either by intellectual prowess or technological advances, in solving the problems inherent to the present human condition. Jesus Christ was the sacrifice God planned from the foundation of the world for the sin of the human race. By shedding His blood and dying on the cross, Jesus made provision for the salvation of all people (Isaiah 53:5; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter 1:19-20)
Because of our total inability to save ourselves, eternal salvation is by God’s grace alone. It is received by faith with repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Savior (John 3:3, 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 2:24)
4. WATER BAPTISM IS NOT A SAVING RITUAL, BUT A TESTIMONY OF THE INWARD WORK ALREADY COMPLETED WHEN JESUS SAID, “IT IS FINISHED.”
Water baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is not a saving act, but an outward sign of an inward work already accomplished, and is commanded by God following conversion (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4)
5. BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A DEFINITE EXPERIENCE
The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in every believer at the moment of salvation. But in addition, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is distinct from salvation, releasing the power of the Holy Spirit through faith. Consistent with biblical accounts, believers should anticipate Spirit-baptism to be accompanied by speaking in tongues and other biblical manifestations. Consequently, the baptism in the Holy Spirit endues the believer with power from God, to offer an inspired witness for Christ, to lead the believer in a life of holiness, and to equip for a Spirit-filled life of service (John 7:37-39, 14:16; Acts 1:8, 2:4, 2:38-39, 8:14-17, 10:44-46, 19:6; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16)
6. DIVINE HEALING STILL HAPPENS
The power of God to heal the sick and afflicted is provided for in Christ’s death on the cross (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:18; Acts 3:16, 10:38; James 5:14-16; 1 Peter 2:24). Accordingly, we believe that God is willing to and does heal today.
7. OUR BODIES WILL BE RESURRECTED AND WE WILL KNOW EACH OTHER AS WE WERE KNOWN
The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ assures the believer of bodily resurrection and eternal life (Matthew 28:1-7; Romans 6:1-10; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18). As a result, Jesus’ resurrection means our bodily resurrection is guaranteed!
8. JESUS CHRIST WILL RETURN TO EARTH AGAIN AND FOR ALL TIME
The second coming of Christ will be personal, visible, and triumphant (Zechariah 14:4; Matthew 24:36-44; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, 2:8; Titus 2:12-13; Revelation 1:7). Therefore, rather than being downtrodden over earth’s present chaos, we who have put our faith in Christ Jesus can be optimistic by looking up! (Luke 21:28)
9. THERE WILL BE A FINAL JUDGMENT
God only devised one plan for eternal salvation. It is our freewill choice to believe it or not. Therefore, we believe there will be a final judgment for all unbelievers. All whose names are not written in Christ’s book of life will be eternally separated from God (Matthew 13:41-43, 25:41; Mark 9:43-44; Revelation 14:10-11, 20:10-15, 21:7-8). This will have been the result of the freewill choice we made, not God’s.
10. THERE IS A PLACE OF EVERLASTING PEACE CALLED HEAVEN
Finally, heaven is an actual place of happiness and security where believers will dwell forever with God and receive the reward of their deeds done while on earth (John 14:2; 1 Corinthians 2:9, 3:10-15; Revelation 7:15-17, 21:4, 22:5)