THE WORD OF GOD

The Bible as originally given is verbally and plenarily inspired, and the product of Spirit-controlled men, and therefore is absolute truth. God’s Word has been preserved (Psalm 12:6-7) so that we can have confident assurance that we have the Word of God. It is inerrant, complete (II Peter 1:3), and absolute authority. It is to be the center of true Christian unity, and the supreme standard to which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried (II Timothy 3:16-17, II Peter 1:19-21; I Corinthians 2:10-13).

GOD

God is three Persons, All equal One to the Others, and existing in one being (Matthew 28:19; Deuteronomy 6:4). These three Persons are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (II Corinthians 13:14). God created the universe by direct action (Genesis 1:1-2:5). He is eternal, sovereign, holy, just, immutable, omniscient, omnipotent, true, merciful, and loving. Because of all of this He is worthy of all honor and worship (I Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4: 11).

THE FATHER

He is the Father over all creation (Acts 17:29), of the nation of Israel (Exodus 4:22), of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:17), and of the believers (Galatians 3:26).

THE SON

Jesus Christ came to earth God incarnate (John 1:1-14; Colossians 1:15). He came through a virgin birth (Matthew 1:16-25). His purpose in coming to earth was to die for the sins of mankind (Matthew 16:21). Through this death, He is the Savior of all those who place their trust in Him (John 3:16). He is the Head of the church, which is His body (Ephesians 5:23, 30; 4:12).

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit magnifies Christ (John 16:7-15). He convicts men of sin and draws them to Christ. He inspired the writers of Scripture (II Peter 1:20-21). He fills (Ephesians 5:18), indwells (I Corinthians 6:19), guides (Romans 8:14), assures (Romans 8:16), and prays for believers (Rom. 8:26).

MAN

Man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression, Adam fell from his sinless and happy state, and all men sinned in him, in consequence of which all men are totally depraved, are partakers of Adam’s fallen nature and conduct; and therefore, are under a just condemnation without defense or excuse (Genesis 3:1-6, 24; Romans 3:10-19, 5:12, 19).

SATAN

Satan is a created being. God created him as an angel. He was "the anointed cherub that covereth." (Ezekiel 28:14-19). He is described as being very beautiful. He fell because of his pride. He aspired to overthrow the rulership of God (Isaiah 14:12-15). He is the originator of sin, through his temptation, man’s sin came about (Genesis 3). He and his followers were banished from heaven (II Peter 2:4; Jude 6). His end is sure. He will be cast into the abyss for a thousand years, and then he will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:1-3, 10).

SALVATION

Salvation is divinely initiated and wholly of grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). This faith involves a turning away from sin and to trust in Christ (Luke 24:47). The natural response of a person who has been truly saved is public confession of Christ (Matthew 10:32-33). This salvation will result in a life of good works (I John 3:24). God gives the believer assurance of his salvation (I John 5:12-13). The believer does not need to live a life of fear of having his salvation revoked, for he is secure in Christ (II Timothy 1:7). All those that have trusted Christ’s death as the payment for their sin, not relying upon their own work or merit in any way, are forgiven of sin, secured a home in heaven, and are eternally secure in the salvation that God has given them (Romans10:9; John 10:28). To reject salvation is to embrace a literal hell (Revelation 20:11-15). Salvation is both initiated by God’s calling and received by man’s choice.

THE CHURCH

The Bible speaks of both the universal and the local church (Colossians 1:18; I Corinthians 1:2).
The universal church is the body of all believers in this age. This universal church has not replaced Israel as God’s chosen people, but must be understood as distinct. The present Church Age will be culminated when Jesus Christ returns to deliver His own from the wrath of God in the end times (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Peter 3:9). After that return (the Rapture of the Church), He will later return again to establish His literal millennial kingdom in Israel (Revelation 20:4-6).
The local church is a group of believers organized for the purpose of glorifying God by edification (the building up of believers- Ephesians 4:11-16) and evangelism (Acts 1:8). The church must be sure to remain absolutely pure from apostasy and any form of compromise (II John 9-10).