God created humankind in the Divine image. In the first book of the bible, Genesis, we see that through Adam’s fall all became sinful, lost, and condemned. Each human being by deliberate choice participates in sin and is in need of Redemption through Christ.
(Gen. 1:26-30; Eph. 2:1-22; Rom. 1:19-32; Rom. 5:12-21)
There is only one true and eternal God consisting of three co-equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
(Gen. 1:1; Deut. 6:4; John 4:24; John 14:6-13; Gal. 4:6; 2 Pet. 1:17; Psalm 2:7ff; Isa. 7:14; John 1:1-18; Heb. 1:8; Psalm 51:11; 1 John 4:13; Acts 5:3-4)
Jesus Christ is God’s Son, begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, fully divine and fully human, the eternal and pre-existent Word. By His death Christ made full atonement for our sins, and by his resurrection showed Himself to be the Lord and giver of life to all who believe.
(Heb. 1:1-3; Heb. 4:14-15; John 1:1-3,14; Luke 1:34-35)
God is present in the world today in the person of the Holy Spirit who draws us to faith in Jesus and who bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. He indwells the believer which empowers him to manifest the likeness and character of Christ. He gives spiritual gifts to the church for our mutual edification.
(John 16:7-15; Rom. 8:16; Eph. 4:7; 1 Cor. 12:7)
God offers forgiveness of sin and justification through faith in Christ Jesus apart from works. Such Redemption is received by human individuals as God’s gift upon repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ. Through Jesus, the believer becomes a new creation whose mind and will are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit from loving sin, to loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving all people as we love ourselves.
(Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Eph. 2:8-22; 1 John 1:6-2:11; Matt. 22:37-38)
The Bible, composed of the Old and New Testaments, is the divinely inspired Word of God, the final and trustworthy authority for faith and practice. It is to be interpreted responsibly under the guidance of the Holy Spirit within the community of faith. The Bible clearly reveals the essentials necessary for Salvation and the basics of how to conduct our lives.
(Deut. 4:1-2; II Tim. 2:15, II Tim. 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21)
The Church is a community of faith consisting of transformed believers with Jesus as Lord. Such believers claim a personal relationship to God through Jesus Christ, are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, follow the Lord in believer’s baptism by immersion, share in the Lord’s Supper, gather regularly for worship, and covenant for mutual edification and care-giving.
(Matt. 16:15-19; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 16:30-33; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Eph. 1:22-23; Heb. 10:23-25; I Cor. 6:19)
The Church is called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and God’s reconciling grace in the power of the Holy Spirit, inviting persons to receive salvation and follow Christ as His disciples. As disciples, we seek justice for ALL persons and the reform of the communities we live.
(Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Gal. 3:26-28; James 1:27; James 2:8)
