B. Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, and the only means by which mankind can gain restored fellowship and a personal relationship with the one true God that everyone on earth rejected.  He paid the sin-debt for all mankind by sacrificing His life on a cross, and was raised from the dead by God Himself, who demonstrated His power over Satan and death.  Jesus ascended into heaven, and now sits at the right hand of God Almighty, serving as our High Priest and Advocate.  He now stands ready to extend salvation, forgiveness, new life, and the promise of resurrection from the dead to everyone who asks through prayer, believing on Him, and to all who are willing to receive His sacrificial gift and turn their life back to God.

 

C. The Holy Spirit is the supernatural Spirit of God, who indwells every person who receives the gift of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, empowering them with spiritual gifts, supernatural manifestations of the power of God, and the ability to communicate with God through prayer.  The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord and to lead others to do the same.

 

D. The Bible is God’s holy Word, without error, and was given to guide mankind in proper faith and practice, and to lead him back into a restored personal relationship with God.

 

E. Jesus refers to His ‘body’ here on earth as the Church, and commands all Christians to actively participate as a spiritual family therein, beginning with the ordinance of Baptism.  The true Church is composed of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and are united together in the ‘body’ of Christ, of which He is the Head.  It is the responsibility of the body of Christ (the church) to be on mission with God, extending his love, truth, and kingdom throughout the world.

 

F. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ surrendering His life on the Cross provided forgiveness for our sins, redemption for mankind who was separated from God, and made possible the supernatural healings and miracles needed for our bodies and for life.

 

G. God’s holy word directs His people to participate in the ordinance of Baptism, following their decision to return to God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Baptism is a symbolic outward expression of an inward spiritual change (i.e. being ‘born again’ spiritually).  That change of the heart produced cleansing as a person surrendered their old way of life in sin, to embrace the sacrifice Jesus made for them, beginning a new life of purity and holiness in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit…all of which is symbolized through the act of Baptism.

 

H. The Bible directs all Christians to remember the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on our behalf by participating in the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper.

 

I. Man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin which separated him from his holy Creator.  Only through belief and faith in God, and acceptance of the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ for their sin, can lost mankind be regenerated by the Holy Spirit, resulting in salvation and eternal life in heaven with the Lord. 

 

J. The Bible speaks of the bodily resurrection of the dead.  Those who receive Jesus Christ as their Savior will go to spend everlasting joy throughout eternity with Him.  Those who chose to reject Jesus as their Savior will be sent to eternal judgment and punishment in a literal Hell.