The Bible

The sixty-six canonical books of the Bible as originally written were inspired of God, thus free from error. They constitute the only infallible guide in faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16; Matthew 5:18; 2 Peter 1:20-21; I Thessalonians 2:13; Psalm 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5)

The Bible’s credibility has been attested to by the following:
Perfectly Unified – The Bible is supernaturally unified in its message and doctrine though it was written over a 1500 year span, by forty different authors, on three continents and in three languages.
Incredible survival – Unlike any other document, the Bible has been preserved and defended through time, violent persecution, and scrutinizing criticism.
Massive Influence – The Bible has had the surpassing influence and impact of no other work of any time. The Bible has consistently and supernaturally changed lives.
Authenticating Miracles – One would expect God’s inspired, supernatural revelation to be confirmed by supernatural signs. Widespread testimony of signs and miracles surrounds the coming of God’s Word. (Heb. 2:4)
Predictive Prophecy- Internal evidence displays the authenticity of the divine revelation of the coming of the Messiah (Is. 7:14; Psalm 2:7; Gen. 49:10; Is 11:1; Jer. 23:5; Micah 5:2), future events (Leviticus 26:33,40,41-44; Jer 29:10-13; Is. 44:28; 45:4; Daniel 9:24-27), and the rise and destruction of various nations (Daniel 2:31-43, Ezekiel 26:3-21; 28:22-23; Is. 13:19-22; 34:6-15)

The Bible is foundational to all theology and knowledge of God since any accurate picture of truth is derived from the Scriptures

God

There is one God, the Creator and Preserver of all things, infinite in being and perfection. He exists eternally in three Persons; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, who are of one substance and equal in power and glory. (Gen. 1:1,26,27 Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19, 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Cor. 13:14)

Christ

The eternally pre-existent Son became incarnate (a man) without human father, by being born of the Virgin Mary. Thus in the Lord Jesus Christ divine and human natures were united in one Person, both natures being whole, perfect and distinct. To establish salvation for man, He lived a sinless life and died on the cross as the sinner’s substitute, shedding His blood for the remission of sins. On the third day He rose from the dead in the body which had been laid in the tomb. He ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He performs the ministry of intercession. He shall come again, personally and visibly, to complete His saving work and to consummate the eternal plan of God. (Matthew 1:22-23; Is. 9:6; John 1:1-5; John 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)

Holy Spirit

As the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ. He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; John 14: 16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16)

Regeneration (Titus 3:5-7, John 3:3-8)

Baptism – The Holy spirit baptizes the Christian into the Body of Christ at conversion )1 Corinthians 12:13)

Indwelling- The Holy Spirit indwells the Christian at conversion (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Sealing –The Holy Spirit seals the Christian at conversion (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Filling- The Holy Spirit leads the Christian on a daily basis as he submits to His leadership (Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 5:18; Romans 8:14)

The Sinfulness of Man

Man was created innocent in the image of God, but by disobedience fell into a state of sin and condemnation before God. From this condition man can be saved only by the grace of God, through faith, on the basis of the work of Christ, and by the agency of the Holy Spirit.

Man is Fallen- Man forfeited his privileged position of fellowship and intimacy with God (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 3; Romans 3:23)

Man is Sinful (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:10-18)

Man is Depraved- Mankind is thoroughly corrupt and incapable of independently pleasing God or being accepted by Him (Romans 1:18-32)

Man is condemned –Man lives under the sentence of condemnation from God and is rightfully in danger of incurring His wrath (Romans 6:23; Revelation 14:10; John 3:36)

The Terms of Salvation

The conditions of salvation are:

(1) Repentance of sin or sincere sorrow for sin (2 Cor. 7:9-11).

(2) Faith or the unreserved committal of one’s self to Christ as Savior and Lord with purpose to love and obey Him in all things. In the exercise of saving faith, the soul is renewed by the Holy Spirit, freed from the dominion of sin, and becomes a child of God (John 3:14-15; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:16; Romans 10:9; Romans 6:23; John 1:12; 1 John 5:13).

(3) Continuance in faith and obedience unto death (1 Timothy 1:19; John 15:6; 1 Corinthians 10:12; 2 Peter 2:20; Matthew 24:13 Matthew 13:1-23).

The Last Days

At the end of the age the bodies of the dead shall be raised. The righteous shall enter into full possession of eternal bliss in the presence of God, and the wicked shall be condemned to eternal death. (Acts 1:11; John 14:1-4; Matthew 24; Revelation 22)

The Church

The Universal Church is a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. The local church consists of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, associated for worship, work and fellowship. God has laid upon the members of the local church the task of edifying the believers and announcing the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. (Ephesians 5:22-23; Matthew 16:18; John 1:12-13)

The Church includes:
Biblical Leadership (Titus 1:5; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 1 Timothy 5:17)
Local Partnership (Acts 2:42-47)
Worship (Philippians 3:3)
Edification (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Equipping (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Christian Conduct

The believer, having turned to God in penitent faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, is accountable to God for living a life separated from sin and characterized by the fruit of the Spirit. It is his/her responsibility to contribute by word and deed to the universal spread of the Gospel. (John 15:5; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Philippians 2:12-18; 1 John 1:5-7)