What we believe...
(Ephesians 4:4-6)
· In essential beliefs, let there be unity
(Romans 14:1,4,12,22)
· In non-essential beliefs, let there be liberty
(1 Corinthians. 13:2)
· In all our beliefs, let there be charity
The Essentials we believe:
1 - About God
· God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
2 - About Jesus Christ
· Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death and vindicate all his claims. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth in glory and judgement to bring in the new heavens and new earth.
3 - About the Holy Spirit
· 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 of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
4 - About the Bible
· The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God, it is totally trustworthy and is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.
5 - About human beings
· People are made in the image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
6 - About Salvation
· Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or doing good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
7 - About eternal security
· Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
8 - About eternity
· 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.
9 - About the church
· The church is the community made up of all true believers for all time, in heaven and on earth. However, in the church on earth there have always been some unbelievers and only God knows exactly who are his. All believers belong to the world-wide church of Jesus but express their church life with other believers in a local fellowship.