In essential beliefs – we have unity.
“There is one Body and one Spirit…there is one Lord, one faith, one
baptism, and one God and Father of us all…”
Ephesians 4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs – we have liberty.
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment 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 be an account of
himself to God…So whatever you believe about these things keep between
yourself and God.”
Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22
In all our beliefs – we show charity.
“…If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very
secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains – but
have no love, I amount to nothing at all.”
I Corinthians 13:2 (Ph)
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.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II
Corinthians 13:14.
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. He ascended
to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth 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.
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.
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
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. It is the supreme source of
truth for Christians 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, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
5. ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS
People are made in the spiritual 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 call “sin”. This attitude separates
people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
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 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; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians
3:26; Romans 5:1
7. ABOUT SANCTIFICATION
We believe that believers are to be sanctified wholly, subsequent to
regeneration, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is wrought by the
baptism with the Holy Spirit, whereby a person can experience the
cleansing of the heart from sin.
John 17:17-19; Romans 15:16; Ephesians 5:26; II Timothy 2:21; Hebrews
13:12; I Peter 1:2; Isaiah 3:3; James 4:8; I John 1:7
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.
John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15;
I Corinthians 2:7-9
9. ABOUT BAPTISM
We believe that Christian baptism, commanded by our Lord, is a sacrament
signifying acceptance of the benefits of the atonement of Jesus Christ, to
be administered to believers and declarative of their faith in Jesus
Christ as their Savior, and full purpose of obedience in holiness and
righteousness.
Baptism being a symbol of the new covenant, young children may be
baptized, upon request of parents or guardians who shall give assurance
for them of necessary Christian training.
Baptism may be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion,
according to the choice of the applicant.
Matthew 3:1-7, 28:16-20; Acts 2:37-41, 8:35-39, 10:44-48, 16:29-34,
19:1-6; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-28; Colossians 2:12; I Peter
3:18-22
10. ABOUT COMMUNION
We believe that the Memorial and Communion Supper instituted by our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ is essentially a New Testament sacrament,
declarative of His sacrificial death, through the merits of which
believers have life and salvation and promise of all spiritual blessings
in Christ. It is distinctively for those who are prepared for reverent
appreciation of its significance, and by it they show forth the Lord’s
death till He comes again. It being the Communion feast, only those who
have faith in Christ and love for the saints should be called to
participate therein.
Exodus 12:1-14; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:17-20; John
6:28-58; I Corinthians 10:14-21, 11:23-32
