OUR SALVATION COMES FROM THE GOSPEL OF
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
(Genesis 1:1,26,27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14)
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was both fully God and fully human, lived a sinless human life, and offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
(Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 8:58, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 2:5-11; I Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)
The Gospel is ultimately about humanity being restored to God’s community. Only through practicing community will individuals grow fully in the grace and knowledge to be found in Jesus. Furthermore, it is through community that a fragmented world can best witness the power of the Gospel and the nature of God’s work. As a culture of confession, transformation, friendship, forgiveness, justice, power, and love springs up in the lives of normal people, those who don’t know Christ will be compelled to ask: "what is happening?"
(II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:25)
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.
(II Timothy 1:13, 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105, 160, 2:6; Proverbs 30:5)
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6, 59:6; Romans 3:23)
Salvation is God's free gift to us. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
(Romans 5:1, 6:23; Ephesians 2:9; John 14;6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26)
People who have been saved can never lose their salvation. Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" your salvation. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-efforts of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
(John 10:28-30; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; I Peter 1:3-5)
People were created to exist forever in eternity. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation through Christ. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
(John 3:16, 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8, 2:44, 46)