The Scriptures
The Holy Bible was written by human authors who were guided by God. It is God's message to people and reveals who He is. The Bible is a complete and trustworthy guide to God's truth. God is its ultimate author, its purpose is to show people how to receive salvation, and everything it teaches is true and without error.
Because of this, Christians believe the Bible can be trusted completely. It teaches the standards by which God judges right and wrong, and it remains the highest authority for Christian faith, beliefs, and the way people should live. From beginning to end, the Bible points to Jesus Christ, who is the central focus of God's revelation to humanity.
The Scriptures Exodus 24:4 Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
God
God
There is one living and true God. He is personal, all-knowing, all-powerful, and perfectly holy. He created the universe, sustains it, rules over it, and provides salvation through His plan of redemption. God's knowledge is complete—He knows everything that has happened, everything happening now, and everything that will happen, including the choices people will freely make. Because of who He is, He alone is worthy of our highest love, worship, respect, and obedience.
God has revealed Himself as one God in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each Person is fully God, with distinct personal roles, yet they share the same divine nature and are one in essence.
A. God the Father
God the Father lovingly rules over all creation and directs history according to His wise and gracious purposes. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, perfectly loving, and completely wise. He is the Father of everyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ and adopts them into His family. He also cares for all people with a father's compassion.
B. God the Son
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. When He came to earth, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. As both fully God and fully human, Jesus perfectly revealed God's character and faithfully carried out His will. Although He experienced the realities of human life, He lived without sin.
Jesus perfectly obeyed God's law and willingly died on the cross in our place so that people could be forgiven and rescued from sin. He was raised from the dead in a glorified body and appeared to His disciples before ascending into heaven. Today He reigns at the right hand of God as the one Mediator between God and humanity. Through Him, people can be reconciled to God. One day Jesus will return in power and glory to judge the world and complete God's plan of redemption. Until then, He is present with every believer as their living Lord.
C. God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is fully God and works actively in the lives of people. He inspired the writers of Scripture and helps people understand God's truth today. His work is to glorify Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit shows people their need for forgiveness by convicting them of sin, righteousness, and coming judgment. He draws people to faith in Jesus and gives new spiritual life to those who believe. At the moment of salvation, He unites every believer with Christ and His church.
The Holy Spirit helps believers grow in Christlike character, gives comfort and guidance, and provides spiritual gifts to equip them to serve God and others. He assures believers that they belong to God and guarantees their future redemption. He strengthens and equips both individual Christians and the church for worship, sharing the gospel, and faithful service.
Scriptures: God the Holy Spirit Genesis 1:2 Judges 14:6 Job 26:13 Psalms 51:11; 139:7ff. Isaiah 61:1-3 Joel 2:28-32 Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19 Mark 1:10,12 Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49 John 4:24; 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:7-14 Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6 Romans 8:9-11,14-16,26-27 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13 Galatians 4:6 Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18 1 Thessalonians 5:19 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16 Hebrews 9:8,14 2 Peter 1:21 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7 Revelation 1:10; 22:17
Scriptures: God the Son Genesis 18:1ff. Psalms 2:7ff.; 110:1ff. Isaiah 7:14; 53:1-12 Matthew 1:18-23 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16,27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6,19 Mark 1:1; 3:11 Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46 John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11; 16:15-16,28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20,28 Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5,20 Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3,34; 10:4 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8,24-28 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 8:9 Galatians 4:4-5 Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10 Philippians 2:5-11 Colossians 1:13-22; 2:9 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16 Titus 2:13-14 Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15,24-28; 12:2; 13:8 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9 2 John 7-9 Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16
Scriptures: God the Father Genesis 1:1; 2:7 Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11ff.; 20:1ff. Leviticus 22:2 Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6 1 Chronicles 29:10 Psalm 19:1-3 Isaiah 43:3,15; 64:8 Jeremiah 10:10; 17:13 Matthew 6:9ff; 7:11; 23:9; 28:19 Mark 1:9-11 John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8 Acts 1:7 Romans 8:14-15 1 Corinthians 8:6 Galatians 4:6 Ephesians 4:6 Colossians 1:15 1Timothy 1:17 Hebrews 11:6; 12:9 1 Peter 1:17 1 John 5:7
Man
Scriptures: Man Genesis 1:26-30; 2:5,7,18-22; 3; 9:6 Psalms 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5 Isaiah 6:5 Jeremiah 17:5 Matthew 16:26 Acts 17:26-31 Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18,23; 5:6,12,19; 6:6; 7:14-25; 8:14-18,29 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19,21-22 Ephesians 2:1-22 Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11.
Human beings are God's special creation, made in His image. He created people as male and female, and together they are the highest expression of His creation. The distinction between male and female is part of God's good design.
In the beginning, man was created without sin and was given the freedom to choose whether to obey God. When tempted by Satan, Adam chose to disobey God's command, and through that act, sin entered the human race. As a result, every person inherits a sinful nature and lives in a world affected by sin.
Therefore, once people are able to understand right and wrong and make moral choices, they sin and stand guilty before God.
Only God's grace can restore people to fellowship with Him and enable them to fulfill the purpose for which He created them.
Every human life is sacred because each person is made in the image of God, and because Jesus Christ gave His life for all people. Therefore, every person, regardless of race or ethnicity, has inherent worth, should be treated with dignity, and is deserving of respect and Christian love.
Salvation
Salvation is God's work of redeeming and restoring the whole person. It is offered freely to everyone who receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Through His death and the shedding of His blood, Jesus secured eternal redemption for all who believe in Him. Salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
Regeneration, also called the new birth, is the work of God's grace through which a believer becomes a new person in Christ. It is an inward transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit, who convicts people of their sin and leads them to respond with repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith always go together as essential responses to God's grace.
Repentance is a sincere turning away from sin and turning toward God. Faith is trusting in Jesus Christ and committing one's whole life to Him as Lord and Savior.
Justification is God's gracious act of declaring sinners righteous when they repent and place their faith in Jesus Christ. Because of Christ's righteousness, believers are fully forgiven, accepted by God, and brought into a relationship of peace with Him.
Sanctification begins at the moment of regeneration and continues throughout the believer's life. It is the process by which God sets believers apart for His purposes and helps them grow in spiritual maturity and Christlike character through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. This growth in grace continues throughout the Christian life.
Glorification is the completion of God's work of salvation. It is the believer's final and eternal state, when all who belong to Christ will be made perfect in His presence and enjoy everlasting fellowship with Him.
Scriptures: Salvation Genesis 3:15 Exodus 3:14-17; 6:2-8 Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6 Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32 John 1:11-14,29; 3:3-21,36; 5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17 Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32 Romans 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14 1 Corinthians 1:18,30; 6:19-20; 15:10 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15 Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-16 Philippians 2:12-13 Colossians 1:9-22; 3:1ff. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 2 Timothy 1:12 Titus 2:11-14 Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1-12:8,14 James 2:14-26 1 Peter 1:2-23 1 John 1:6-2:11 Revelation 3:20; 21:1-22:5.
God's Purpose of Grace
Scriptures: God's Purpose of Grace Genesis 12:1-3 Exodus 19:5-8 1 Samuel 8:4-7,19-22 Isaiah 5:1-7 Jeremiah 31:31ff. Matthew 16:18-19; 21:28-45; 24:22,31; 25:34 Luke 1:68-79; 2:29-32; 19:41-44; 24:44-48 John 1:12-14; 3:16; 5:24; 6:44-45,65; 10:27-29; 15:16; 17:6,12,17-18 Acts 20:32 Romans 5:9-10; 8:28-39; 10:12-15; 11:5-7,26-36 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 15:24-28 Ephesians 1:4-23; 2:1-10; 3:1-11 Colossians 1:12-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:10,19 Hebrews 11:39–12:2 James 1:12 1 Peter 1:2-5,13; 2:4-10 1 John 1:7-9; 2:19; 3:2.
Election is God's gracious purpose by which He saves sinners. According to His plan, He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and ultimately glorifies all who belong to Him. God's election is fully consistent with human responsibility and free choice, and it includes every part of His saving work from beginning to end. It displays God's sovereign goodness, perfect wisdom, holiness, and unchanging nature. Because salvation is God's work, there is no room for human pride, but every reason for humility.
All true believers will persevere in their faith to the end. Those whom God has accepted through Jesus Christ and set apart by His Holy Spirit will never lose their salvation but will be kept by God's power through faith until their salvation is complete.
Although believers may still fall into sin because of temptation or spiritual neglect, their sin grieves the Holy Spirit, weakens their spiritual growth and joy, damages their witness for Christ, and may bring God's loving discipline into their lives. Even so, God faithfully preserves His people, and they will continue in the faith until the end and receive the salvation He has promised.
The Church
A New Testament church is a local gathering of baptized believers who have joined together in a covenant relationship to follow Christ, grow in their faith, and live out the message of the gospel. The church observes the two ordinances given by Christ—baptism and the Lord's Supper—and is governed by His teaching as revealed in Scripture. God has given each church the responsibility and privilege of serving Him, using the spiritual gifts of its members, and sharing the gospel with people throughout the world.
Each local church is self-governing under the authority and lordship of Jesus Christ. As members participate in the life and decisions of the church, each person is personally responsible and accountable to Christ. According to Scripture, the biblical offices of the church are pastors and deacons. While both men and women are gifted by God for ministry and service, the office of pastor is reserved for men who meet the qualifications set forth in Scripture.
The New Testament also describes the church as the Body of Christ. In this sense, the church includes every person who has been redeemed through faith in Christ, from every generation and from every nation, tribe, people, and language.
Scriptures: The Church Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20 Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28 Romans 1:7 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12 Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32 Philippians 1:1 Colossians 1:18 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14 Hebrews 11:39-40 1 Peter 5:1-4 Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.
Baptism and
The Lord's Supper
Scriptures: Baptism and The Lord's Supper Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20 Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26 Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20 John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7 Romans 6:3-5 1 Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29 Colossians 2:12.
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience to Christ that publicly declares a person's faith in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism symbolizes the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old way of life, and the beginning of a new life in Christ. It also expresses the believer's hope in the future resurrection of the dead.
Because baptism is an ordinance established by Christ for His church, it is expected of every believer and is a requirement for church membership and participation in the Lord's Supper.
The Lord's Supper is the second ordinance given by Christ to His church. As believers share the bread and the fruit of the vine, they remember and proclaim Jesus Christ's sacrificial death on the cross. This act of worship also expresses their hope and expectation of His promised return.
The Lord's Day
Scriptures: The Lord's Day Exodus 20:8-11 Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1ff. Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7 Luke 24:1-3,33-36 John 4:21-24; 20:1,19-28 Acts 20:7 Romans 14:5-10 I Corinthians 16:1-2 Colossians 2:16; 3:16 Revelation 1:10
The first day of the week, Sunday, is the Lord's Day. It is set apart for Christians as a regular day of worship and spiritual devotion. The Lord's Day commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and provides an opportunity for believers to gather with the church for worship, prayer, the teaching of God's Word, fellowship, and service. It should also be a time for personal worship, prayer, and spiritual reflection.
How believers observe the Lord's Day should reflect their desire to honor Jesus Christ as Lord and be guided by a biblically informed conscience. Christians should seek to use this day in ways that encourage worship, spiritual growth, and faithful obedience to Christ.
The Kingdom
Scriptures: The Kingdom Genesis 1:1 Isaiah 9:6-7 Jeremiah 23:5-6 Matthew 3:2; 4:8-10,23; 12:25-28; 13:1-52; 25:31-46; 26:29 Mark 1:14-15; 9:1 Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 12:31-32; 17:20-21; 23:42 John 3:3; 18:36 Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31 Romans 5:17; 8:19 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 Colossians 1:13 Hebrews 11:10,16; 12:28 1 Peter 2:4-10; 4:13 Revelation 1:6,9; 5:10; 11:15; 21-22.
The Kingdom of God includes God's sovereign rule over all creation and His saving reign in the lives of those who willingly submit to Him as King. In a special sense, the Kingdom is the realm of salvation, entered by those who place their trust in Jesus Christ with humble, childlike faith.
As citizens of God's Kingdom, Christians are called to pray for God's Kingdom to come and for His will to be done on earth. They are also called to faithfully share the gospel, serve others, and live in a way that reflects the values of God's Kingdom.
The Kingdom is already at work through Christ and His people, but it will be fully established when Jesus Christ returns. At that time, God's plan will be brought to completion, and His reign will be fully revealed at the end of this age.
Last Things
Scriptures: Last Things Isaiah 2:4; 11:9 Matthew 16:27; 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48 Luke 12:40,48; 16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-28 John 14:1-3 Acts 1:11; 17:31 Romans 14:10 1 Corinthians 4:5; 15:24-28,35-58 2 Corinthians 5:10 Philippians 3:20-21 Colossians 1:5; 3:4 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 5:1ff. 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff.; 2 1 Timothy 6:14 2 Timothy 4:1,8 Titus 2:13 Hebrews 9:27-28 James 5:8 2 Peter 3:7ff. 1 John 2:28; 3:2 Jude 1:4 Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13.
God will bring history to its appointed conclusion according to His perfect timing and purpose. As He has promised, Jesus Christ will personally and visibly return to the earth in glory. At His return, the dead will be raised, and He will judge every person with perfect righteousness.
Those who have rejected God will be separated from Him forever in Hell, the place of eternal punishment. Those who have trusted in Jesus Christ will be raised with glorified bodies, receive the rewards God has prepared for them, and live forever with the Lord in Heaven.
These future events give believers hope, encourage faithful living, and remind us that God will ultimately bring justice, fulfill His promises, and make all things right.
Evangelism and Missions
Scriptures: Evangelism and Missions Genesis 12:1-3 Exodus 19:5-6 Isaiah 6:1-8 Matthew 9:37-38; 10:5-15; 13:18-30, 37-43; 16:19; 22:9-10; 24:14; 28:18-20 Luke 10:1-18; 24:46-53 John 14:11-12; 15:7-8,16; 17:15; 20:21 Acts 1:8; 2; 8:26-40; 10:42-48; 13:2-3 Romans 10:13-15 Ephesians 3:1-11 1 Thessalonians 1:8 2 Timothy 4:5 Hebrews 2:1-3; 11:39-12:2 1 Peter 2:4-10 Revelation 22:17.
Every follower of Jesus Christ and every church are called and privileged to make disciples of all nations. When a person is made new through the work of the Holy Spirit, that new life produces a love and concern for others. Because of this, sharing the gospel is not only a command from Christ but also a natural expression of the transformed life of a believer.
Jesus Christ has clearly commanded His followers to take the message of the gospel to people everywhere. Therefore, every Christian has the responsibility to seek opportunities to lead others to faith in Christ through personal witness, a life that reflects Christ's love and character, and actions that are consistent with the truth of the gospel.
The mission of the church is to proclaim Jesus Christ to the world and help people become faithful disciples who follow Him.
Education
Scriptures: Education Deuteronomy 4:1,5,9,14; 6:1-10; 31:12-13 Nehemiah 8:1-8 Job 28:28 Psalms 19:7ff.; 119:11 Proverbs 3:13ff.; 4:1-10; 8:1-7,11; 15:14; Ecclesiastes 7:19; Matthew 5:2; 7:24ff.; 28:19-20 Luke 2:40 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Ephesians 4:11-16 Philippians 4:8 Colossians 2:3,8-9 1 Timothy 1:3-7 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17 Hebrews 5:12-6:3 James 1:5; 3:17
Christianity values wisdom, understanding, and the pursuit of knowledge. In Jesus Christ are found all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and therefore learning and education are part of the Christian heritage. When a person experiences new life through Christ, it renews the whole person and creates a desire to grow in understanding and truth.
Education that honors Christ is an important part of the mission of His Kingdom, alongside sharing the gospel and caring for those in need. Churches should support Christian education as part of their responsibility to help believers grow spiritually and faithfully serve God. A strong program of Christian education is an essential part of helping God's people mature in their faith.
Christian education should maintain a proper balance between academic freedom and responsibility. True freedom is not unlimited but exists within appropriate boundaries. Teachers in Christian schools, colleges, and seminaries should have the opportunity to study, teach, and explore ideas, while remaining faithful to the authority of Jesus Christ, the truth of Scripture, and the specific mission and purpose of the institution where they serve.
Stewardship
Scriptures: Stewardship Genesis 14:20 Leviticus 27:30-32 Deuteronomy 8:18 Malachi 3:8-12 Matthew 6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23; 25:14-29 Luke 12:16-21,42; 16:1-13 Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35 Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 12; 16:1-4 2 Corinthians 8-9; 12:15 Philippians 4:10-19 1 Peter 1:18-19
God is the giver of every blessing, both physical and spiritual. Everything we have and everything we are comes from Him. Because of this, Christians have a responsibility to share God’s love and truth with the world. They are entrusted with the message of the gospel and called to be faithful stewards of the resources God has given them.
Christians are called to serve God with their time, abilities, and possessions. These gifts are not simply for personal use but are entrusted to them so they can honor God and help others. According to Scripture, believers should give generously and joyfully, making it a regular and intentional part of their lives. Their giving should be done in a way that reflects gratitude to God and supports the work of sharing the gospel throughout the world.