The Bible is God’s unique communication tool for people. God inspired people to record His words in written form. Because God gives the Bible to us, it establishes truth and serves as the supreme instruction book for life. It is the final authority on all matters upon which it teaches; a status that no other writings can claim.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 119: 89, 105, 140, 160; Matthew 5:18)

There is only one God. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He exists in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God yet remain personally distinct from the others.  (Genesis 1:1-31; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 90:2; Jeremiah 10:10; Ephesians 4:4-6; John 4:24; 1 Corinthians 8:6)

 All people were created in God’s image. People are separated from God because of sin and remain separated because of unbelief. Central to the message of the Bible is that God loves people in spite of their sin and invites them into a personal relationship with Himself through Jesus’ death and resurrection.  (Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2; John 3:16-17; Romans 5:8)

Apart from Jesus Christ all people are spiritually lost and, because of sin, deserve the judgment of God. However, God gives salvation and eternal life to anyone who turns from their unbelief and places their faith in Jesus Christ and in His sacrifice on their behalf. Salvation cannot be earned through personal goodness, religious practices or human effort. It is a gift that is only received when one stops trusting in anything/anyone but Christ and places faith in His complete payment on the cross for their sin.  (Romans 3:10-12; 5:8, 17; Isaiah 64:6; John 3:15-18; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-9; Romans 8:1; Titus 3:5)

Jesus is the Son of God, and is co-equal with Him. He was born to a virgin, lived a sinless human life, and willingly offered Himself as the complete sacrifice for the sins of the world. He physically died and physically arose from the dead. He is now in Heaven serving as our advocate and mediator with the Father. One day He will return for His church and then take reign as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  (Matthew 1:18-25; John 10:30; John 19, 20; Romans 4:25; Romans 5:8; Romans 15-20; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world in the lives of believers in order to make people aware of their need for Christ and function in God’s family. From the moment one receives Christ, the Holy Spirit lives inside the believer. He gives each believer spiritual gifts and provides them with the power, the understanding, and the guidance for living a life pleasing to God.  (John 16:7-15; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 4:30; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 12:4, 13; 1 John 2:27)

Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. Unbelievers are separated from God and, at the last judgment, forever condemned. Believers are welcomed into God’s loving presence and rewarded for their faithfulness to Him in this life.  (John 3:16; Hebrews 9:27; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 1 John 2:25; Revelation 20:15)

All believers are members of the family of God, also called the Body of Christ; this is the one true universal church. This spiritual union crosses all ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, generational, gender, and denominational lines. The local church is made up of a congregation of believers who meet for worship, prayer, mission, instruction, encouragement, mutual accountability, and fellowship with each other. Within it, believers use their God-given gifts and passions and invest their time, energy, and resources to help people connect with God.  (Ephesians 1:22-23; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 12; Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:19-20)

When one receives God’s gift of salvation in Christ, their eternal destiny in heaven is forever sealed. One’s salvation is maintained by the power and grace of God, not by the self-effort of the believer. God Himself secures each believer’s salvation for eternity.  (Ephesians 4:30; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 John 5:13; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 10:27-30; Romans 8:38-39; Jude 1, 29.

Baptism is the public celebration announcing to the world your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is the visible expression of the invisible decision to receive Jesus’ offer of salvation and forgiveness by placing your trust in His death and resurrection for you.  It does not seal your salvation but celebrates it.  (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 16:31-33; Romans 3:3-4).