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 give 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.” – 1 Corinthians 13:2 (Ph)
The Essentials We Believe
About the Bible
The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is inspired by God in every word, completely without error in the original writings, and is the supreme and final authority in faith and life. – II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21
About God
God eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. – Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary and is true God and true man. He died for our sins according to the scriptures. He was buried and He was raised bodily from the dead according to the scriptures. He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father and is our High Priest and Advocate. – John 1:1-3; Philippians 2:5-11; I Corinthians 15:1-7
About Man
Man was created in the image of God, but man sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is eternal separation from God. All human beings are born in this state and have a sinful nature. – Romans 5:12-14; Ephesians 2:1-3
About Salvation
Salvation is entirely a free gift of God’s grace, acquired through personal faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinners. – Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit produces a new life and permanently indwells every person who trusts in Christ from the very moment that he receives Christ as his personal Savior. – John 3:1-7; Romans 8:9-10. “The gift of speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift. It means speaking with words or in a language one doesn’t know in order to edify both oneself and others. Jesus foretold of speaking in tongues: “And these signs will follow those who believe… they will speak with new tongues.” Mark 16:17. The first time anybody spoke in tongues was on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the apostles, as related in Acts 2:1-12. The apostles spoke the gospel to the crowds in Jerusalem, and what they said could be understood by people speaking many different languages: “… we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” Acts 2:11. Later Paul also writes about the gift of speaking in tongues, in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14. However, here he writes that the person speaking in tongues doesn’t speak in an understandable language: “no one understands him; however in his spirit he speaks mysteries.” 1 Corinthians 14:2.
About the Blessed Hope
The Blessed Hope of the Church of Jesus Christ is the reality of the imminent, personal return of her Lord and Savior. – I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-15
About Man’s Eternal Destiny
Man’s eternal destiny is solely determined by his acceptance or rejection of Jesus Christ, God’s provision for man’s sin. Those who accept Christ as their Savior will be resurrected to eternal life and joy in the presence of God, but those who reject Christ will be resurrected to judgment and separation from God for all eternity. – John 3:16-18, 5:22-29; II Thessalonians 1:5-10