CONVICTIONS
1. There is One God who is eternal, self-existent, all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere-present, completely good, and never changing. God is perfect in moral character and His nature is love. God alone can declare whether conduct is right or wrong.
Scripture References: Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 44:8, Psalm 90:2, Isaiah 40:28, Exodus 3:14, Revelation 19:6, Psalm 147:5, 1 John 3:20, Psalm 139:7–8, Jeremiah 23:24, Psalm 119:68, James 1:17, Hebrews 13:8, 1 John 4:8, Judges 21:25, Isaiah 45:19
2. God subsists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are neither parts nor modes.
Scripture References: Matthew 28:19, Luke 1:35, 3:21–22, John 1:1–2, 10:30, 14:16, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Peter 1:2; see also Genesis 1:26, 3:22, 11:7
3. The Bible is a compilation of God's words and in its original Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic form is inerrant and sufficient in itself for teaching Christian belief and practice. It should be interpreted literally, historically, and at face value unless the text itself allows for a different interpretation in a specific passage.
Scripture References: Exodus 20:11, Matthew 5:18, 19:4–6, 24:37–39, John 10:35, Acts 1:16, Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20–21, 3:15–16, 2 Thessalonians 2:14–15, Revelation 22:18–19; see also Genesis 41:25–27, Matthew 13:18–23, 13:36–43, Revelation 1:20
4. Mankind was given the free choice to obey God or rebel against Him in the Garden of Eden and freely chose to rebel by eating the forbidden fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This choice brought death, separation from God, and a sinful nature to the entire human race.
Scripture References: Genesis 2:16–17, 3, 6:5, Isaiah 59:1–2, Romans 3:23, 5:12–18, 6:23, 1 Corinthians 15:22
5. God planned in advance to send His Son into the world to die for the sins of mankind. This plan included the covenant of blessing with Abraham and the institution of the nation of Israel and was foreshadowed by the system of atoning sacrifices in the Levitical law.
Scripture References: Genesis 22:17–18, Isaiah 53, Jeremiah 1:5, Luke 24:27, John 5:39, Acts 8:30–35, Colossians 2:17, Hebrews 10:1–23, Revelation 13:8
6. God became man in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus lived a sinless and morally perfect life. He was crucified at the hands of the Romans and through death He atoned for the sins of mankind. He was buried and on the third day rose physically from the dead, conquering death and sin. Salvation is found in Christ alone by grace alone through faith alone and not by works.
Scripture References: Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, Matthew 1:22–23, Luke 1:35, John 1:14, Philippians 2:6–8, Colossians 1:15, 1 John 4:2, Isaiah 53:9, John 19:4, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 1:18–19, 2:22, Hebrews 4:15, 1 John 3:5, Mark 15:43–47, Matthew 28:1–15, Romans 6:4, 8:11, 1 Corinthians 15:1–32, 1 Peter 1:3, Ephesians 2:8–9
7. Jesus promised that in accordance with the Scriptures He would physically return to earth to rescue His Church, put an end to sin, and reign as King over Israel and the whole earth. By Him the living and the dead will be judged, some inheriting eternal life and others receiving eternal punishment. Christians must be watchful and ready for these events.
Scripture References: Psalms 72:8–11, Daniel 2:44, 7:13–14, Ezekiel 33:1–6, Zechariah 14:1–9, Matthew 16:27, 24:37–44, 25:1–13, 25:46, Luke 12:37–40, 17:28–30, 18:8, 21:34–36, John 5:22, 14:3, Romans 2:16, 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, Revelation 1:7, 11:15, 20:4–6
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