|
The Scriptures
I believe all 66 books of the Bible, consisting of the Old Testament and the New Testament, are the inspired Word of God and are inerrant in the original writings. (Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
The Godhead
I believe in one God, creator of the universe, who is a living triune God that exists eternally in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe they are co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections. (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Matt 28:19)
I believe God has revealed Himself through creation, through conscience, His Word, and through His Son - the Lord Jesus Christ. (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:19-20; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 1:2)
The Person and Work of Christ
I believe that Christ came willingly into the world in obedience to His Father's will to be born of the virgin Mary, to be a man without ceasing to be God, to live a sinless life, to perform literal miracles, in order to reveal God to man and redeem man to God. (Isaiah 7:14; Heb 4:15, Acts 2:22; John 1:1-2,14)
I believe He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice sufficient for the sins of the whole world, and our justification is verified by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Romans 3:24-25; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 2:24; 1 John 2:2)
I believe Christ is now seated at God's right hand and, as our High Priest, He fulfills His ministry by being our representative, intercessor and advocate. (Acts 1:9-10; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1-2)
I believe in the imminent return of Christ to receive His church and that He will set up his millenial kingdom on earth and rule as the eternal King. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; Revelation 20:1-4)
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
I believe the Holy Spirit is the person of the Godhead who in this present age convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; who regenerates and baptizes into the body of Christ those who believe; and who indwells and seals them unto the day of redemption. (John 16:8-11; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14)
I believe the Holy Spirit is the Divine Teacher who guides believers into all truth; and it is the privilege of believers to be filled with, and their duty to walk in, the Holy Spirit. (John 16:13; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 2:20,27)
The Total Depravity of Man
I believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God. In Adam's sin, humanity fell and inherited a sinful nature, being alienated from God. Man is totally depraved and there is nothing he can do to remedy his lost condition. (Genesis 1:26- 27; Romans 3:22-23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3,12)
Salvation and Security
I believe the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice for all people and all who trust Him are saved by grace through faith on the grounds of His shed blood, accepted in the beloved, kept by God's power, and thus secure in Christ forever. (John 1:12; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Romans 8:1,38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:5,18-19)
I believe every saved person is a new creation with provision made for victory over sin through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The sin that is present in us is not eradicated in this life. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:13; 8:12-13; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John 3:5-9)
I believe it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. (Romans 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11-15; 1 Peter 2:13-20)
Eternal Life
I believe that every person has an eternal soul. If a person dies in his natural state (without God), he will suffer eternity in a literal hell. If a person dies as a believer in Christ's atoning sacrifice, then he will enjoy eternity in a literal heaven with God. (Matt 25:46; John 3:15-16; John 5:24; Gal 6:8)
|
