THE BIBLE
The only time-tested inspired Word of God, The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and life (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21).
There are many versions and translations of the Bible available to us today. Many of these are good translations. Though not an exhaustive list, we primarily use or recommend the New Living Translation (NLT), New International Version (NIV), New King James Version (NKJV), English Standard Version (ESV) and the New American Standard Bible (NASB).
GOD
The one, true God has revealed himself as the eternally self-existent ‘I AM,’ the Creator of heaven and earth, the Redeemer of mankind. He has revealed himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10,11, Mt. 28:19, Luke 3:22).
God exists as one in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This is the Trinity. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority and always work in total unity. (Deuteronomy 6:4 Isaiah 61:1 Matthew 28:19 Mark 1:9-11 Luke 1:35 John 5:21-23; 14:10, 16 Romans 8:9-11 1 Corinthians 8:6 2 Corinthians 13:14 Hebrews 1:8-10 James 2:19).
JESUS
The only, eternal Son of God, Savior, and soon-coming King. The Scriptures declare his: virgin birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31,35); sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22); miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38); substitutionary work on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21); bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4); exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9,11; 2:33; Philippians 2:9,11; Hebrews1:3); and His personal & imminent return, and millennial reign (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 19:11-14, 20:1-6).
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Third Person of the Trinity and Giver of Supernatural Gifts. The Holy Spirit is the person of the Godhead who indwells, baptizes, and gives supernatural gifts to all Believers, for empowerment to witness and serve. His present work is the same as that in the New Testament (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8, 2:4; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, James 5:14-16).
MANKIND & SALVATION
Mankind is born with a sinful nature and is in need of salvation and sanctification. Mankind was created good and upright; but by voluntary disobedience, fell into sin and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Genesis 1:26,27; 2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12-19). Mankind’s only hope of salvation is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, giving us forgiveness of sin, eternal life, and power to live separated from evil. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10, 12:1).
ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin in hell, or eternally with God in Heaven through forgiveness and salvation. (John 3:16 John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 2 Corinthians 2:7-9).
