Core Beliefs
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. (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14)
JESUS
Jesus 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. He ascended to Heaven and will return again someday. (Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14, 14:10-30; Hebrew 4:14, 15; I Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14, 15, Titus 2:13)
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation and provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. Every Christian receives spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit. (II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:25)
THE BIBLE
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors under the spiritual guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the source of truth for Christian belief and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth. (II Timothy 3:16, 1:13; II Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 30:5)
HUMANITY
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. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23)
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 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. (Romans 6:23, 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12, Titus 3:5, Galatians 3:26)
SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is an ongoing process of being conformed into the image of Jesus. It has to do with growing in grace and maturing to the full stature of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 4:12-16; I Thessalonians 5:23)
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 God is heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16, 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; Revelations 20:15; I Corinthians 2:7-9).
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. (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14)
JESUS
Jesus 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. He ascended to Heaven and will return again someday. (Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14, 14:10-30; Hebrew 4:14, 15; I Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14, 15, Titus 2:13)
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation and provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. Every Christian receives spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit. (II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:25)
THE BIBLE
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors under the spiritual guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the source of truth for Christian belief and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth. (II Timothy 3:16, 1:13; II Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 30:5)
HUMANITY
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. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23)
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 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. (Romans 6:23, 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12, Titus 3:5, Galatians 3:26)
SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is an ongoing process of being conformed into the image of Jesus. It has to do with growing in grace and maturing to the full stature of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 4:12-16; I Thessalonians 5:23)
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 God is heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16, 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; Revelations 20:15; I Corinthians 2:7-9).
