- The Trinity
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. All three coeternal, coequal, of the same substance and uncreated. Each individual person – God completely; all three together – God exhaustively. The Godhead is omnipresent, (everywhere at once), omnipotent, (all powerful), omniscient, (all knowing). Mt 3:16, 17; Mt 28:19; Jn 14:26
- The life and work of Jesus Christ.
God the Son was incarnate in the man Jesus of Nazareth – 100% God and 100% man. He lived, died, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will return again. Jesus took our sins upon Himself, bearing them on the cross and died in our place. His work upon the cross absorbed the wrath of God on sin and provided salvation for us. Jn 3:16, 17; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Cor 15:1-8; 1 Thes 4:13-18
- The Bible as God’s Word.
It is true, trustworthy, relevant and authoritative. It is our complete guide for faith, (i.e. what to believe), and for daily living, (i.e. what to do about what we believe). It is the filter through which all our beliefs and understandings pass. 2 Tim 3:16, 17; Psm 119:103-105
- Salvation (Sin, Repentance, & Forgiveness)
Sin is transgression of the law. We have all sinned and we cannot atone for our sins. When we look into the mirror of our lives, come to admit we have sinned against God, and truly want to change – we are repentant. Being genuinely sorry for our past, God offers complete and total forgiveness. Isa 1:18; Rom 3:23; Rom 5:8; 6:23; 1 Jn 1:9; 1 Jn 3:4; 2 Pet 3:9
- Justification
Justification is the act of God declaring us just. Justification grants to us the righteousness of our Lord, Jesus Christ. His perfect life, in the place of our sinful life.
We cannot make ourselves just. Therefore, justification can only come by grace, through faith. Faith in what the Lord has done. In the simplest terms – The Father looks at us, and sees His Son. Rom 4, 5 (3:21-5:21); 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 2:15-17; 3:8-14; Eph 2:8-10
- Sanctification
The ongoing work of the Spirit of God in the life of a converted, reborn, and regenerated believer – to make us into the image of our Lord. Jn 17:11-21; Eph 5:25-27; 1 Thes 4:3-7, 5:23