The Essentials....

About God
There is only one true God. He consists of the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. This is a great mystery but it shows that God lives in community and calls us to do the same. God is best described by the word LOVE.

Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Psalms 90:2; Isaiah 44:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 4:8; Revelation 1:8

About the Bible
The Bible is God’s word to all people. 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.

2 Samuel 22:31; Psalms 12:6, 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; John 8:31-32; 17:17; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2:15; 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21, 3:15-16

About Mankind
We are all made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. We are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although mankind has tremendous potential for good, we are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates us from God.

Genesis 1:27; Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1-15; Romans 3:23

About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ came to the earth, born of a virgin. He lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and was raised from the dead after three days. He is now alive in Heaven.

Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15; Revelation 1:17-18; (Exodus 3:14 & John 8:58 note the term “I Am”)

About Salvation
We are able to live forever in Heaven with God because of His grace. By God’s grace we mean the blood of Jesus Christ poured out on the cross for our sins. This is the only way anyone can be saved. We receive God’s grace by putting our trust and faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus as a substitute for the death that we deserve. Jesus does the saving, we do the receiving and accepting.

John 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:13; Hebrews 9:14 & 10:19; 1 John 1:7

About Growing Up In Christ
The way we mature in Christ and live a God pleasing life is by believing in and accepting Jesus Christ as the supreme director and Lord of our lives, humbling repenting of our sins, obeying Jesus’ command to be baptized, and commit to growing through prayer, personal Bible study, regularly fellowshipping with other believers in large and small group meetings, and by giving of our time, talent and treasure to God’s purposes.

Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; John 1:12, 3:16-17, 14:6, 17:3; Acts 2:38, 4:12, 19:1-6; Romans 5:1, 6:1-4, 23, 10:9-11; Galatians 3:26-27; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; 1 John 2:3-6

About The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make all people aware of our need for Jesus Christ and, having believed, you are sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.

John 14:16-17, 16:7-13; Acts 1:8, 5:32; Romans 8:1-27; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16, 2 Corinthians 3:17; Ephesians 1:13-14; Galatians 5:19-26

About Eternity
We were created to exist forever. The choices we make in this life will determine where we live in eternity. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. The place of eternal separation from God is called Hell. Heaven is the place of eternal union and eternal life with God.

Matthew 25:41; John 3:16-17; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 2:9-10; 2 Peter 1:10-11, 3:13-15; Revelation 20:15, 21:27

About Interpretation
Where the Bible is silent we are given freedom in Christ to make prayerful, intelligent decisions as to what the most productive course of action is in today’s world. In other areas of Bible study we take the most natural meaning of scripture and apply it to our lives. (Please refer to our booklet titled, How to Interpret, Understand and Apply the Teachings of the Bible, for scripture references.)

Romans 14: ; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 3:15-17

About Prayer
Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.” (John 15:7). He also said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing, he will do even greater things than these. . . And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-14). We believe what Jesus said, so we ask frequently and passionately!

Philippians 4:4-7; James 1:5-7

What we believe about some other major topics ...

In essential beliefs — we have unity.
“There is one Body and one Spirit. . . there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all. . .” Ephesians 4:4-6

In nonessentials beliefs — we have liberty.
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. . . Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. . . So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. . . So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:1, 4 12, 22

In all our beliefs — we show love
“. . . if I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” 1 Corinthians 13:2 (Ph)