were created with value and worth. God wants your
life to count.
In Essential Beliefs,
We Have Unity
"There is one body and one Spirit...
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all..." Eph 4:4-6
There essential beliefs are ones that we hold
in unity as a church, ones upon which we agree,
ones which are vital to our faith and practice
as Christians.
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In
Non-Essential Beliefs, We have Liberty
"Now accept the one who is weak in the faith,
but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his
opinions...Who are you to judge the servant of another?
To his own master he stands or falls...So then each
of us shall give account of himself to God...the
faith which you have, have as your own conviction
before God." Rom14:1,4,12,22
Beliefs that are "non-essential" are not
unimportant, but those that are not a basis of our
fellowship. Liberty then allows for individual differences
in convictions that come from the variety of backgrounds
and experiences found in any group of Christians.
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In All Our Beliefs,
We Show Charity
"And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know
all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all
faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have
love, I am nothing" 1 Cor 13:2 "Charity"
or Christ-like love should be the essential and
distinguishing characteristic of the exercise of
the Christian faith. |
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Essential
Beliefs about God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He
has eternally existed in three personalities: the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. There are
co-equal and one God.
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Essential Beliefs
about Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with
the Father and the Holy Spirit. He was conceived
by the Holy Spirit born of a virgin. Jesus lived
a sinless human life and offered Himself as the
perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by
dying on a cross. He arose bodily from the dead
after three days to demonstrate His power over sin
and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory where He
sits at the right hand of God interceding for us
and will return again someday to earth to reign
as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
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Essential
Beliefs about the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and
the Son of God. He is present in the world to make
men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives
in every Christian from the moment of salvation.
He provides Christians with power for living, the
understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in
doing what is right. He gives all believers spiritual
gifts when they receive salvation. As Christians
we are to live under His control.
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Essential Beliefs
about the Bible
The Bible is the infallible Word of God. It was
written by human authors, under the supernatural
guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the source of
truth for Christian beliefs and living because it
is inspired by God. It is the truth without any
mixture of error. This revelation from God is complete,
final, and without error in the original manuscripts.
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Essential
Beliefs about Human Beings
All people have been created in the image of God
with value and dignity. As a result of the disobedience
of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, we are all
born with a sinful nature. Furthermore, we all by
deliberate choice participate in sin which is rebellion
to God's law. We are in desperate need of God's
grace.
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Essential Beliefs
about Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to those who will receive
it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement,
good works, or human effort. Only by trusting in
Jesus Christ as God's for forgiveness can anyone
be saved for sin's penalty. Jesus is the full and
acceptable substitutionary sacrifice for our sins.
When we, by God's grace, turn from our self-ruled
life and come to Jesus in faith we receive salvation.
Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus
Christ as personal Lord and Savior into his life.
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Essential
Beliefs about Eternal Security
Since God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ,
the true believer is secure in the salvation then
one cannot lose it. Salvation is maintained by the
grace and power of God, not by self-effort of the
Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of
God that gives us this security.
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Essential Beliefs
about Eternity (Heaven and Hell)
Humanity was created to exist forever. People will
either exist eternally separated from God because
of rejection of Jesus Christ or exist eternally
with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be
eternally separated from God is Hell. To be joined
with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places
of eternal existence.
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