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SCRIPTURE
All words of the original Old and New Testaments were inspired by God so as to be inerrant (1 Cor. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pe. 1:20-21; Matt. 5:17-18). Much of Scripture was not dictated; God often utilized the writers' personalities. Our Bible of sixty-six books is the Word of God and complete (John 16:13). Rightly translated and interpreted, it is the final authority on everything it declares to be true (Luke 24:25; John 10:35; Pr. 30:5-6).
Top of pageINTERPRETATION
Scripture should be interpreted by seeking the original intent of each biblical author. Historical and literary context, word usage and relationships, and literary features should be taken into account (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15). Scripture is to interpret Scripture. The Holy Spirit must direct our attitudes as we seek to understand and respond to God's Word (1 Cor. 2:14).
TRINITY
There is one and only one living, personal God (Deut. 6:4; Is. 43:10-11). He is totally in control of the universe, which He created and maintains (Heb. 11:3; Col. 1:15-17; Eph. 1:11). He is perfect in all of His attributes (Matt. 5:48). He exists in three equal Persons--Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14). Our heavenly Father is the true and everlasting God. He mercifully concerns Himself with us and answers prayer.
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the true and everlasting God (John 1:1,14; Phil. 2:6-11; Heb. 1:8; 1 John 5:20). Through miraculous virgin conception by the Holy Spirit, He became true man (Matt. 1:18-25; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 2:14-17). He was tempted in every area, but lived a life of perfect righteousness (Heb. 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; 3:18). On the cross He died to satisfy the wrath of God that we deserve (Rom. 3:25; 5:8-9; 1 Peter 2:24). He arose bodily from the dead (Matt. 28:1-10; Acts 13:30-31). He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-11; Eph. 4:7-10). Jesus Christ is the only and sufficient Mediator between God and mankind (John 14:6; 1 Tim. 2:5).
HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is a Person, and the true and everlasting God (2 Cor. 3:18; 1 Cor. 12:6,11; Acts 5:3-5; Eph. 4:30; 1 Peter 4:14). He spiritually baptizes every true Christian, indwells each from conversion to resurrection, and gives to each a special ability for building up the local church (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:7,11,13; Eph. 1:13-14). The Spirit works miracles and communicates to Christians today (1 John 5:15; Rom. 8:14). We are aware that some gifts, events and revelations are falsely attributed to the Holy Spirit (Matt. 7:22-23; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 1 John 4:1). Our aim is to interpret experience by the written Word of God (Is. 8:19-20; 2 Peter 1:19; 2 Tim. 3:17).
MANKIND
The first man was created perfect, but sinned (Gen. 1:27-31; Rom. 5:12). Every person is in God's image, but condemned because of Adam's sin and because of his or her own sin (Rom. 5:12; James 3:9). Each is unable apart from God's grace to please God, or turn the heart to God (Rom. 3:10-11; 8:8; John 6:44). The unconverted will is, however, significant, and each is responsible to respond to God's invitation to salvation (Acts 17:30; Rev. 22:17).
SATAN
Satan is a created personal being, fallen from heaven, the enemy of God and His people, who blinds the unsaved and works for the ruin of believers (Matt. 13:24-26,36-39; Luke 10:18; John 8:44; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Cor. 4:4; Heb. 2:14-15). His eternal doom is sure (John 16:11; Rev. 20:10).
SALVATION
Conversion always occurs at a point in time, although some saved individuals do not know exactly when they experienced it (John 1:12; 3:18; Rom. 8:9-10; 2 Cor. 5:20 - 6:2; Gal. 3:2; Col. 2:6; Rev. 20:15).
In conversion, the individual admits his or her sinful, helpless condition under God's wrath; he or she repents and believes on God the Son, who was condemned because of our sin and produced the righteous standing that we lack (Luke 18:13-14; John 3:36; Acts 13:38-39; 20:21; Rom. 10:13; 2 Cor. 5:20-21). The person publicly confesses Jesus Christ as risen Lord and is immersed in water (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 10:9-13; Col. 2:6; 1 Peter 3:21).
The former life is renounced, although perfection is not reached in this life; Christians may experience periods of unfaithfulness, but God brings about significant personal change (1 John 1:8,10; 3:9-10,14; Eph. 2:10; 1 Cor. 3:1-3; Heb. 5:11-14). No one earns or deserves salvation in any way (John 1:13; 6:29; Rom. 4:4-5; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-5).
Some people appear to experience conversion, but do not. Every true believer has been chosen, convicted and converted by God (2 Cor. 13:5; Eph. 1:3-4; 1 Peter 1:1-2; John 12:32; 16:7-8; Titus 3:5-6; Jer. 31:33). At conversion, God ensures eternal life and forgiveness of past, present and future sins (John 5:24; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:29-39; Heb. 10:10-14).
THE CHURCH
All who have put saving faith in Christ since Pentecost have been united by the Holy Spirit into one body, the universal Church (1 Cor. 12:13; Acts 2:4; 11:15; Eph. 3:3- 6). The local church should be a self-governing body of true believers who have been immersed in water (Acts 2:41), and who regularly examine themselves to partake of the Communion elements, which represent the crucified Lord Jesus (1 Cor. 11:23-32). Each believer should join and participate in a Bible-based local church for worship, local and worldwide outreach, and spiritual growth (Acts 2:42; Heb. 13:17).
THE FUTURE
At death, the saved enter into the joyous presence of Christ; the unsaved enter into eternal pain (Matt. 25:46; Luke 16:22-23; 23:43; Phil. 1:23). Saved and unsaved will experience bodily resurrection (Dan. 12:2; Rev. 20:6,12-13). Christ will return--it may be at any moment--to take His Church to heaven; after worldwide Tribulation, He will establish an earthly thousand-year reign followed by a new heavens and earth (1 Thess. 4:15-17; John 14:2- 3; Rev. 3:10; 5:10; 19:11 - 20:6; 21:1).
Adopted 1/20/90