THE INERRANCY OF GOD'S WORD
The Bible is the living and breathing Word of God (Hebrews 4:12). The Word of God is without error and incapable of making mistakes (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible was written by credible eyewitnesses (2 Peter 1:16) that accurately recorded the acts of God (2 Peter 1:20-21) in the presence of hostile witnesses (Acts 26:24), at the cost of their lives (Acts 7:59). Truly, God’s Word will never fade (Matthew 24:35).
THE TRINITY
God exists as trinity, being made up of God the Father Yahweh (Exodus 3:14, Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 44:6, Matthew 5:9), God the Son Jesus Christ (John 1:18, 10:30, Colossians 2:9-10), and God the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, Hebrews 9:14). Each member of the trinity is co-equal and co-eternal to one another (Genesis 1:26, Genesis 11:7). Each member of the trinity exists at the same time and is fully omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent (Isaiah 6:8, Isaiah 48:16-17, Matthew 3:16-17).
GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN OF SALVATION
In God’s sovereignty He planned salvation to be made readily available through Jesus’ substitutionary atonement on the cross where the sins of mankind were paid in full (Matthew 20:28, John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Isaiah 53:5). God’s plan of salvation was offered first to the Jews, and then extended to the Gentiles (Romans 1:16). However, God’s sovereign plan of salvation has always been with the Gentiles in mind (Isaiah 42:6, Isaiah 49:6, Galatians 3:28). God’s sovereign plan of salvation can be seen in the Great Commission, where disciples of Jesus Christ are commanded to go out to every people group and share the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20).
THE DIVINITY & HUMANITY OF JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is 100% God (John 1:1, John 10:30) and 100% man (Philippians 2:6-8, 1 John 1:1-3). Jesus experienced the fullness of humanity through hunger (Matthew 4:2), thirst (John 19:28), and weeping (John 11:35). Jesus experienced every temptation, yet triumphed over temptation to remain sinless (Hebrews 4:15). While being 100% man, Jesus Christ remained 100% God (Colossians 2:9).
THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and birthed through the virgin Mary (Matthew 1:18-23). This was foretold by God’s prophet Isaiah showing a sign for the coming Messiah (Isaiah 7:14). This was the will of God in His redemptive plan for humanity (1 John 4:9).
THE DEPRAVITY OF MANKIND AND CHRIST’S IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS
Mankind is totally depraved (Jeremiah 17:9, Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:23) and cannot obtain any righteousness by their own merit (Romans 3:10-11, Isaiah 64:6). Thankfully, mankind can be made righteous through receiving the righteousness of Christ imputed onto them through the substitutionary atonement on the cross (1 Corinthians 1:30, Philippians 3:9). Jesus Christ took upon Himself the sins of mankind, so that mankind could take upon themselves His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).
SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH
Mankind receives salvation by the grace of God (Titus 2:11) through their personal faith (Luke 7:50, Romans 10:9). One is saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). This is a gift from God and not the work of man.
THE BODILY RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ physically rose from the grave (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). The Gospel accounts testify to the resurrection of Jesus and the appearances made by Him following His death, burial, and resurrection (Mark 16:9, Matthew 28:9-10, Luke 24:34, Matthew 28:16-18, Acts 1:2-3). The apostles taught plainly that Jesus Christ rose from the dead not spiritually, but bodily (John 20:24-29). The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ authenticates everything He claimed about Himself (Matthew 16:21, Matthew 20:19, Mark 8:31, Mark 9:31, Luke 9:22, Luke 24:7, John 10:17-18, John 20:9). The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ serves as the “first fruits” of the coming “harvest” (1 Corinthians 15:20-23, Colossians 1:18).
THE VISIBLE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST
Luke records that just as Jesus visibly ascended into heaven, His second coming will be visibly seen (Acts 1:10-11). This is the event where Jesus Christ will return to judge the living and the dead, to raise the dead from their graves, and to remove every trace of sin and its corruption (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Hebrews 9:28). The second coming of Jesus Christ was foretold in the Old Testament (Daniel 7:13) and recorded in John’s revelation (Revelation 1:7).
THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit divinely inspired the authors of Scripture (2 Peter 1:20-21), and through illumination, enables mankind to understand the truths of Scripture (John 14:26, Hebrews 6:4). The Holy Spirit exalts Jesus Christ, convicts mankind of their sin (John 16:8), and calls mankind to the Savior (John 6:44). At the moment of regeneration He baptizes believers into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), cultivates Christian character (Galatians 5:22-23), comforts believers, bestows spiritual gifts to believers (1 Corinthians 12:11), and seals believers unto the final day of redemption (Romans 8:14). He enlightens and empowers believers and the Church in worship, evangelism, and service (Acts 1:8).
THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS
Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and birthed through the virgin Mary (Matthew 1:18-23). This was foretold by God’s prophet Isaiah showing a sign for the coming Messiah (Isaiah 7:14). This was the will of God in His redemptive plan for humanity (1 John 4:9).
TWO SACRAMENTAL ORDINANCES: BELIEVER’S BAPTISM & THE LORD’S SUPPER
Sacraments are visible signs of the grace someone has received in their life after coming to saving faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ commands believers to practice the observance of two sacraments: believer’s baptism (Matthew 28:19), and communion (Luke 22:17-19).
Baptism is a public profession of faith, meaning that only believers can partake in baptism (Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12). Baptism symbolizes being buried with Christ and being raised in a newness of life (Colossians 2:12, Galatians 3:27).
The Lord’s Supper, also known as Communion, is a remembrance of Jesus Christ fulfilling the substitutionary atonement on the cross (1 Corinthians 11:26). Communion is a serious activity, and should not be taken lightly. Only those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Savior through the repentance of their sins and belief in Him as the Son of God should partake in communion (1 Corinthians 11:27-30).
GOD’S COMPLEMENTARY DESIGN OF MEN & WOMEN
God has designed men and women equal to one another in the very image of God, yet beautifully different (Genesis 1:26-27). Men and women have been made to complement one another and become one flesh in marriage (Matthew 19:5-6). The marriage covenant is sacred, and serves as an image of the divine covenant between Christ and His Church. The union between a husband and a wife is made by God to exemplify the exclusive relationship between God and His people (Ephesians 5:31-33).
GOD’S PLAN FOR THE CHURCH
God has established the church for believers to glorify God (Ephesians 3:21), minister to one another, and minister to unbelievers (Romans 12:13). Scripture is clear that the church should assist with the needs of the less fortunate (James 1:27), and proclaim the saving power of the gospel message (Matthew 28:19, Psalm 96:3, Acts 4:12).