The Bible is God’s written self-revelation to humanity. Inspired by the Holy Spirit and recorded by human writers, the Bible has God as its author. As God’s word, it is living, active and powerful. It is the final authority on all matters on which it bears. It is the sole basis of our beliefs. The theme of the Bible is redemption. It unveils the story of God’s intervention in human history to bring fallen humanity back into relationship with himself. Since the Bible is God-breathed, it is historically accurate and theologically complete.
About God
There is one true living God, complete in all his perfections and unchanging in nature, eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Father
The Father is the all-powerful Creator and Ruler of the universe, the first person of the Godhead. He is omni-competent, ever-present, and all-knowing. He is Father to all who believe and are rightly related to him through his Son Jesus. He is good.
The Son
Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God, eternally existing and equal with the Father, sharing all attributes and essence of Deity. He is the image of the invisible God. Through him, creation exists. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, fully human and fully divine, died on a cross to pay the penalty of sins for humanity, rose from the dead, ascended back to the Father and will return to Earth in a time and manner of the Father’s choosing. Jesus Christ is the exclusive way to the Father.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead, eternally existing and sharing all attributes of Deity. He draws men to the Son by convicting them of sin and convincing them of the truth of the gospel. The Holy Spirit lives within every believer from the moment of new birth, gives them spiritual gifts to change the world and build his church, illuminates the Scriptures, and empowers us to live new lives according to the purpose of God.
About Humanity
Men and women were created in the image of God, thus they are unique in all creation as spiritual beings, made for special relationship to their Creator. Due to the fall, the entire human family is born in a condition of spiritual bondage called sin. Men and women are loved by God, who desires that people turn to him and enjoy relationship with him. As image-bearers of the Creator, men and women are equal with complimentary roles and responsibilites within the family and church.
About Eternal Life
Eternal life is a free gift of grace provided by the finished work of Christ’s death and resurrection. Jesus defined eternal life as knowing God relationally, and it begins at the moment of new birth through repentant faith. Through God’s foreknowledge, he knows all who are his in Christ from before the foundation of the world. Man is responsible and accountable to God’s invitation to life. Eternal life is initiated and carried out entirely by God and therefore lasts forever. Those who receive eternal life will live forever with God. Those who reject him will remain separated from God forever in judgement. Heaven and hell are real places.
About the Church
The New Testament church is the Body of Christ and is not a building or institution. The universal Church refers to all believers throughout the ages. The local Church refers to a localized group of baptized believers who worship together, serve together, study the Word of God, are united together through covenant and carry out the mission of Jesus to change the world with the gospel. The local New Testament church is autonomous and subject to Christ as Head of the church. The church is led by biblically-defined and qualified pastors (a.k.a elders or overseers) whom God has called and gifted to shepherd and equip the church for the work of ministry.
About Last Things
God, in a time and manner of his own choosing, will bring to an appropriate conclusion the end of this age. Scripture clearly teaches that Jesus of Nazareth will return to Earth in majesty and power at a time of the Father’s choosing, will gather God’s family (both living and dead) to eternal reward, will judge the inhabitants of the Earth (both past and present), will establish justice and reign throughout eternity as King of kings and Lord of lords.