The Bible:

The Bible is the infallible word of God as written in one book containing both the Old and New Testament. The Bible is God-breathed collection of true accounts and letters form authors led by the Holy Spirit, and the Bible is the final authority in the faith and conduct of Christ followers (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21). Though the Bible was penned by many authors through differing styles and forms of writing, the Word of God is without error due to the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 5:18; 2 Peter 1:21).

God:

There is one God (Deuteronomy 32:39, Mark 12:29-34) who is everlasting (Psalm 90:2) and who is revealed to us through three forms – namely the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14). The three distinct persons of God are all of the same spirit, essence, and glory (John 10:30). The Lord is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7), omnipotent (Job 42:2), omniscient (Psalm 147:4-5), unchanging (Malachi 3:6), and infinite (1 Kings 8:27). The Lord is love (1 John 4:8), just (Isaiah 61:8), sovereign (Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 46:10; Psalm 93:1), and holy (1 Peter 1:16; Isaiah 6:3). God is righteous (Psalm 119:137), gracious (Romans 3:20-24), merciful (Ephesians 2:4-5), perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4), and good (Psalm 119:68).

Jesus:

The Lord Jesus Christ is the exact representation of God (Hebrews 1:3). He was tempted as we are tempted while upon this earth (James 1:13, Matthew 4:1), yet remained holy and lived a sinless life (1 Peter 2:22). Jesus is fully God in human form (John 1:1; John 1:14), who, upon coming to earth with the express intent of demonstrating God’s glory, mercy, and love (John 1:14), provided a way for salvation for all mankind by dying upon the cross for our sins (John 1:1; John 1:18; Matthew 1:21).

Jesus was born of the virgin Mary and was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 7:14). Jesus performed miracles and signs while on this earth (John 21:1-12; Luke 13:10-17; John 11:1-46) and called to Himself 12 disciples in order to further God’s kingdom upon his death and make Himself known to man (Matthew 10:1-4). Jesus was beaten, mocked, and crucified for our sins (John 19:18; Galatians 2:20) and rose again on the third day as a testament to His ultimate sovereignty over death (1 Corinthians 15:4). Jesus ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest, advocate, and intercessor (Mark 16; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 5:10; Hebrews 7:25). He will one day return to judge both the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5). Faith in Jesus Christ as savior is the sole path to salvation and a relationship with God (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).

The Holy Spirit:

The Holy Spirit is the embodiment of God’s presence within us as believers (1 Corinthians 3:16) and is present upon acceptance of the atonement for sin through Christ’s blood upon the cross (Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 12:13). The Holy Spirit is the seal of our salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14), our intercessor when speaking to God (Romans 8:26), and our spiritual interpreter (1 Corinthians 2:13). The Holy Spirit is our counselor from whom we may glean knowledge and understanding of God (Isaiah 11:2) as well as the Spirit of Truth (John 16:12-15). Through the Holy Spirit, the river of goodness and blessing flows from the Lord into our lives (Galatians 5:22-23; Luke 11:13; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Romans 15:13).

The Holy Spirit is sovereign to bestow spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11). The gifts of the Holy Spirit are fully within the Spirit’s power and direction and are used with the purpose of furthering the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 2:20; Ephesians 4:7-12).

Salvation:

Salvation is the ultimate display of God’s grace and is a gift offered through the blood of Jesus Christ upon the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ died and took our place (Romans 5:8-9), bore our sins (1 Peter 2:24), and rose physically on the third day to demonstrate His ultimate victory over sin and death (Romans 14:9). Jesus is the sole path for salvation (Acts 4:12), the highest Priest by which sacrifice could be offered (Hebrews 5:5-10), and that acknowledgement and belief in Jesus’ death upon the cross for sin leads to salvation (Acts 16:31; Acts 2:21; Hebrews 1:3).

Salvation is by grace, through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8). Works, while an outpouring of the spirit in our lives following salvation, are not requirements of salvation but rather salvation is through Christ alone (Titus 3:5). Through the overwhelming perfection of the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross, believers are eternally held in the hands of the Father and will never be separated from Him (John 6:37-40; John 10:27-30; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:38-39; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24). The names of believers are eternally written upon the Book of Life; following the moment of salvation, followers will spend the rest of time in a growing communion and relationship with the Father (Luke 10:20; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 21:27). It is not through works that we are justified, but rather faith alone (Romans 3:28). Works do not determine God’s love for us but rather we may rest assured knowing God’s ultimate display of love has already occurred through His Son (Romans 5:8).

The Church:

The church is not contained to a building or location but rather is the body of Christ as seen through the individual Christian representatives spread throughout the world (1 Corinthians 12:27). The church is made up of many parts and people who are individually enabled by the Holy Spirit for good works and the furthering of His Kingdom upon this earth (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:7). The church is of one body and spirit, under the direction of Christ, with the purpose of bringing God’s love to unreached people groups around the globe as well as providing a community of like-minded believers where God’s power can move unhindered (Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 1:18; Matthew 28:16-20; Matthew 18:20). The Great Commission is the primary goal of the Christian church (Matthew 28:16-20).

The church should honor the symbolic nature of baptism by immersion as an ordinance set by Christ (Matthew 3:13-17; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 1 Peter 3:21) as well as undergo the Lord’s Supper in honor and remembrance of the sacrifice Christ made for our sins (1 Corinthians 11:24-27; John 6:53-58; Acts 2:42). The church should base teachings upon the word of God in the hope of leading believers in a deeper relationship with the Father and teach them holy living for the joy of the Lord (Romans 12:1).

Humanity:

Humanity was the direct creation of God and was made unique, in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). The fall of Adam and Eve led to the introduction of sin within our lives; following the fall, we all inherited a sin nature (Isaiah 53:6). All humans choose to sin (Romans 3:23) and are unable to bridge the gap between God and man that sin has created (Ephesians 2:1-5, Ephesians 2:12). God, in His perfection, detests, and our sin nature prevents communion with the Lord without the shedding of innocent blood as offered once and for all by Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:22).

Angels, Demons, and the Spiritual Realms:

Angels exist, and they were created for the glory of God as servants and messengers (Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 148:2; Hebrews 1:14).

Satan and his demonic forces exist; Satan is not a god but is rather a fallen angel who rebelled against the Lord above (Genesis 1:26-27) and who led one-third of the heavenly angels in rebellion (Revelation 12:4). Satan and his followers were thrown out of heaven (Revelation 12:7-12) and are allowed on this earth until the Lord casts them into the Lake of Fire (Ephesians 2:2; John 12:31; Revelation 20:10). Satan and his demons are intent on destroying the work of the Lord (John 10:10) but are ultimately fighting a losing battle with the limited power and influence that God in His sovereignty has allowed them to wield (Isaiah 14:12; Luke 22:31; Revelation 12:12; Job 1:12).

There is a heaven and a hell, and the Bible speaks about a “spiritual realm” that encompasses all spiritual beings, and the full extent and understanding of such a realm is beyond human comprehension (Isaiah 63:15; Acts 7:55; Ephesians 6:12; John 14:2-4; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 1:20; Ephesians 2:6; Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 20:14-15).