The Scripture
The 66 books of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, though written by men, were supernaturally inspired by God;1 so that all its words are the written true revelation of God;1 it is, therefore, inerrant in the originals and authoritative in all matters.2 It is to be understood by all through the illumination of the Holy Spirit.3
1(1 Thessalonians 2:13) 2(2 Timothy 3:16) 3(2 Peter 1:20-21)
God
There is one God,4 the creator,5 and sustainer of all things,6 who exists eternally in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one but distinct in person and function.7
God the Father is the first person of the Trinity,8 and the source of all that God is and does. Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity,8 eternally begotten from the Father. He is God.9 He was conceived by the virgin Mary through a miracle of the Holy Spirit.10 He lives forever as perfect God and perfect man: two distinct natures inseparably united in one person.11 The Holy Spirit is the agent of inspiration and the new birth;12 and He indwells and sanctifies all believers.13
4(Isaiah 45:5) 5(Genesis 1:1, Ephesians 3:9) 6(Romans 11:36) 7(2 Corinthians 13:14)
8(1 John 10:30) 9(John 1:1) 10(Luke 1:26-35) 11(Colossians 2:9, Philippians 2:5-8)
12(2 Corinthians 3:6 ) 13(John 14:16-17, Ephesians 2:22)
Man
Human beings were directly created, not evolved,14 in the very image of God.15 As such, they are responsible under God for understanding and governing themselves and the world.16 Sin and death were brought into the world by Adam, the first man, who willfully disobeyed God.17 As a result, all people are sinners from conception, which is evidenced in their willful acts of sin;18 and therefore subject to eternal punishment, under the just condemnation of a holy God.19
14(Genesis 2:7) 15(James 3:9) 16(Genesis 2:15-23) 17(Genesis 3:1-19) 18(Romans 3:23) 19(John 3:36)
Salvation
Jesus Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice by the appointment of the Father.20 He fulfilled the demands of God by His obedient life, died on the cross in full substitution and payment for the sins of all,21 was buried, and on the third day, He arose physically from the dead.22 He ascended into heaven and now intercedes for all believers.23
Every person can be saved only through the work of Jesus Christ, through repentance of sin, and by faith alone in Him as Savior.24 The believer is declared righteous, born again by the Holy Spirit, turned from sin, and assured of heaven.25
All believers have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, conforming them to the likeness of Jesus Christ.26 This is a process completed only in Heaven.27 Every believer is responsible to live in obedience to the Word of God in separation from sin.28
20(Romans 3:24-25) 21(1 Peter 2:24) 22(Matthew 28:1-9,Romans 1:4) 23(1 Timothy 2:5) 24(Ephesians 2:8-10) 25(Romans 6:1-22,2 Thessalonians 2:13,2 Timothy 2:10) 26(2 Corinthians 3:18) 27(1 John 3:2-3) 28(2 Philippians 2:12)
The Church
The church is a local assembly of believers, under the discipline of the Word of God and the lordship of Christ,29 organized to carry out the commission to evangelize,30 to teach31, and to administer the ordinances of believer’s baptism, as well as the Lord’s supper.32 Its offices are pastors, elders, and deacons,33 and it is self-governing.34 It functions through the ministry of gifts given by the Holy Spirit to each believer.35
29(Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 5:23) 30(Matthew 28:19) 31(2 Timothy 2:2) 32(Acts 2:38-42) 33(Titus 1:5-9) 34(Acts 20:28) 35(Romans 12:5-8)
Angels
Angels were created by God.36 Angels were created as ministering agents, though some, under the leadership of Satan, fell from their sinless state to become agents of evil.37
36(Hebrews 1:6-7) 37(2 Isaiah 14:12-17)
Last Things
The return of our Lord Jesus Christ for all believers is imminent.39 It will be followed by seven years of great tribulation,40 and then the coming of Christ to establish His earthly kingdom for a thousand years.41 The unsaved will then be raised and judged according to their works and separated forever from God in hell.42 The saved will live forever in heaven in fellowship with God.43
39(1 Thessalonians 4:16) 40(2 Thessalonians 2:7-12) 41(Revelation 20:4-6) 42(Revelation 20:11-15) 43(2 Corinthians 4:14,Philippians 3:21)
