+ In essential beliefs - we have unity Eph. 4.4-6
"There is one body and one Spirit... there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all."
+ In non-essential beliefs - we have freedom Rom. 14.1,4,12,22
"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgement on disputable matters... who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls.. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God... So whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God."
+ In all our beliefs - we show love I Cor. 13.2
"If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have faith that can move mountains - but have no love, I amount to nothing at all."
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1.1,26,27; 3.22; Psalm 90.2 ; Matthew 28.19;
I Peter 1.2; II Cor. 13.14
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father.
Jesus Christ, conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary, lived a sinless
life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all the people
by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His
power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven's glory and will return again
someday to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1.22-23; Isaiah 9.6; John 1.1-5, 14.10-30; Hebrews 4.14-15;
I Corinthians 15.3,4; Romans 1.3,4; Acts 1.9-11; I Timothy 6.14,15;
Titus 2.13; Matthew 1.18,20,23
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 the Christian with power for living, understanding spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
II Corinthians 3.17; John 16.7-13, 14.16,17; Acts 1.8;
I Corinthians 2.12, 3.16;
Ephesians 1.13; Galatians 5.25;
Ephesians 5.18
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 the truth without any mixture or error.
II Timothy 3.16; II Peter 1.20,21; II Timothy 1.13;
Psalm 119.105,160; 12.2; Proverbs 30.5
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Man was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression he fell. Man's only hope for redemption is in Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1.27; Psalm 8.3-6; Isaiah 53.6; Romans 3.23; Isaiah 59.1,2
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Man was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression he fell. Man's only hope for redemption is in Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1.27; Psalm 8.3-6; Isaiah 53.6; Romans 3.23; Isaiah 59.1,2
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3.16; John 2.25; John 5.11-13; Romans 6.23;
Revelation 20.15; Matthew 1.8; Matthew 2.44-46
After believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new believer is commanded by God's Word to be baptized in water in the name of the Lord.
Matthew 28.19; Acts 2.38,41