Inspiration of Scripture
I believe in the divine inspiration and consequent authority of the whole canonical scripture. I believe also that the scripture in their original manuscripts are infallible. The scriptures themselves bear out their own authenticity. All scripture is given by inspiration of God and holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Tim 3:16, 2 Pet 1:21) These references along with others show that the words and the writers were inspired. (Acts 1:16, I Cor 2:13)
The Trinity
There is one God (Deut 6:4) yet the scriptures clearly support the fact that He is manifested in three distinct persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I firmly believe the trinity to exist. (Matt 3:16, 17, Luke 3:21,22)
Whereas the scriptures do not use the word "trinity", the Bible does support the fact of God manifested in three personalities. (2 Cor 13:14, John 14:26)
God (His nature, character, attributes, work in creation and sustaining the universe, etc.)
God is love, and that love is perfect. (I John 4:16-18) God is a spirit. (John 4:24) God is perfect. His ways are perfect. He is faithful and just. (Deut 32:4) God is truth as are all His words. (John 17:17) God is eternal (Deut 33:27) and He gives eternal life to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 3:16, 17: 2, 3)
Genesis 1:1- God existed before the world and created the world in six literal days. Eph 3:7 and Col 1:16 explain that God, in Christ Jesus, created all things and He is the Sustainer of all that is in the universe.
Jesus Christ (His person and work, significance of His death and resurrection)
I believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of mankind, was virgin born. In (Is 7:14) His virgin birth was prophesied and (Matt 1:23 & Luke 1: 26-33) is the fulfillment of this prophesy. Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary. (Matt 1: 18-19) The scriptures are very clear that Jesus did not have an earthly father as a factor in His birth. God's plan from eternity past was the incarnation of Christ to make the way for sinful mankind to be re-united to God. The shedding of the blood of a perfect sacrifice was essential to His plan, and the blood of Christ satisfied this pre-requisite. But if Christ had not been raised from the dead, there would be no salvation.
Holy Spirit (His person, function in salvation and in daily life of a believer, baptism of, gifts of)
We believe the Holy Spirit indwells all believers of the body of Christ. Jesus Christ spoke of the Holy Spirit's coming and dwelling in believers in the future tense in (John 14: 16, 17) and in turn empowers every believer to live a godly life.
The Doctrine of Man
We believe the Bible in Gen 3:16 records for us the fall of man and his consequent total moral depravity. I believe that Adam and Eve's effort to clothe themselves was an expression of man's working at attaining righteousness before God. Because man is sinful, his righteous acts are also sinful. (Is 64: 6) Man was created to have fellowship with God, but he needs to be regenerated to restore this fellowship. (John 3: 3, 5-7) Man, through the fall, is sinful by nature (Rom 3: 10-12) and only God can change man's nature.
The Atonement
God's holiness demanded that sin be punished. Sins are punished according to God's Word by death. (Rom 6:23) God does offer a way to eternal life and that is through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. God can accept Christ's sacrifice because He was without sin.(2 Cor 5:21) When Christ died on the cross, He bore our sins on Himself (I Pet 2:24) that we, through His blood, might be reconciled to God.(Rom 5: 9-11) Other passages such as (Heb 2:9 and I John 2:2) point out the atoning factor in the blood of Jesus Christ.
Future Condition of the Saved and Unsaved
Verses such as John 3:16, 5:24, 10:27-29 show the eternal life of the saved. In Rev 21:1-22:5, we have a good picture of heaven. In Luke 16:19-31 there is the story that Jesus told of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man went to hell and the beggar, Lazarus, went to heaven. Whereas heaven is a place of comfort, hell is just the opposite. Hell is a place of torment.(verse 24) Heaven and hell are real places which the Lord spoke of. In Matthew 25 He speaks of the sheep and the goats. The one enters into the kingdom and the other into eternal punishment.(verses 41 & 46) In Rev 21:8 John speaks of hell and in 20:11-15 the Great White Throne Judgment is recorded. This is known as the lake of fire. (verses 14 & 15)
The Return of Christ
I believe the return of Christ will be in two parts. First there will be the rapture of the Church out of the world, followed by the Great Tribulation Period. (I Thes 4:13, 5:22, Dan 7:13, Matt 25:31, Rev 19: 11-21:1)
At the end of the Tribulation, the Lord Jesus Christ will literally and bodily return as a personality and with power will rule the world for 1,000 years. It will be a perfect rule. At the end of this time, Satan will be released for a short period of time. After that the Great White Throne Judgment will take place and then the Eternal Ages.
Baptism and the Lord's Supper
Baptism was commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ just before He left this earthly life to return to His Father in heaven.(Matt 28: 19, 20) Baptism is an act of obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. It follows after one's salvation experience. It is not for salvation, as the repentant thief on the cross had assurance of being with Christ in paradise after death. (Luke 23: 40-43) Christ set the example.(Matt 3: 13-17) The act of baptism signifies the believer's identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. (Rom 3-5)
The Lord's Supper is not an observation to gain forgiveness of sins but rather a commemorative ordinance. It was instituted by Christ himself so that we as believers might remember His death until He returns. (I Cor 11:26)
It is a time to reflect on Christ's work on the cross for our atonement. Confession of sin should be dealt with, if at all possible before hand, so as to come to the communion table without sin lest we partake of the elements in an unworthy manner". (I Cor 11:27) The sacraments are symbols of the shed blood and broken body of Christ on Calvary.
The Church
The Church (Ecclesia-to call out from) of God made up of those who are regenerated believers.
The Church is the body and Christ is the Head. (Col 1:18) The Church is the Bride of Christ.(2 Cor 11:2) The Church is also known as the building or the temple of God through the Holy Spirit. (Eph 2:20-22)
The believers who make up the body of Christ, their bodies are the dwelling place (temple) of the Holy Spirit. (I Cor 6:19-20)
