who is the creator and sustainer of all creation. As such, he is also its rightful ruler and judge. He is a spirit being who is infinitely perfect and holy, eternally existing as three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He is unchanging in his goodness, wisdom, power, grace, mercy, justice, compassion, truth and love.
who is both completely God and completely human. As God, he has always existed as the Son of God. As a human, he was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived his earthly life in perfect relationship with God the Father and in total obedience to His will. Although he was innocent of all wrongdoing, he was crucified on account of humanity’s sins, died, and was buried. On the third day, he rose bodily from the dead. He returned to heaven and was honored by the Father as ruler over all creation. He now serves as humanity’s advocate before God, praying and pleading on behalf of everyone who places their faith in him.
who is co-equal with the Father and the Son. In everything he does, the Holy Spirit honors Jesus. He convicts humanity of sin, gives new life to those who place their faith in Jesus, and lives within them to provide guidance, instruction, assurance, and comfort. He also empowers every follower of Jesus with spiritual gifts to build up the church and bless the world. The Holy Spirit enables every follower of Jesus to represent him with their words and deeds. This includes strengthening other followers of Jesus and sharing the message of Jesus with those around them.
which is made up of the Old and New Testaments. It was written by prophets and apostles who were guided and directed by the Holy Spirit. As such, it is the inspired Word of God, the complete revelation of God’s will for the reconciliation of all creation, and the final authority with regard to the belief and behavior of every follower of Jesus.
were created in the image and likeness of God. God gave humanity intellect, freedom of will, emotions, self-consciousness, and an awareness of God’s presence. Their purpose was to rule over creation as God’s royal representatives. However, they rebelled against God and rejected their place in God’s plan. As a result, their fellowship with God was destroyed and they became subject to God’s perfect judgment. This is the state of every person apart from Jesus. The only way that people can receive forgiveness of sin, reconciliation to God, and new life is through faith in Jesus.
provides the only way for people to be restored to a right relationship with God. When he died on the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for humanity’s sin and rebellion against God. By raising Jesus from the dead, God declared that humanity’s debt had been paid and that new life with God was now possible. The benefits of Jesus’ death and resurrection are available to anyone who will place their faith in him.
in Jesus is the key to a reconciled relationship with God. Faith is more than mental agreement with a set of statements. It is the capacity to believe in God, whom we cannot see, and is itself a gift from him. This belief is evidenced by one’s willingness to submit their entire life to the loving rule of Jesus forever.
is granted to all those who place their faith in Jesus. On account of Jesus’ work, each follower of Jesus is welcomed into God’s family as a son or daughter. As such, they are joint-heirs with Jesus of God’s kingdom. In addition, these followers also become brothers and sisters responsible to live in peace and unity with one another. Finally, each follower of Jesus is commissioned to participate in God’s work in the world by inviting people to be reconciled to God. Embracing this new identity requires that one is being transformed to be more and more like Jesus every day.
is the work of God in the world. Ever since humanity’s rebellion against God, his loving intention has been to reconcile the world to himself through Jesus. Those who place their faith in Jesus are invited into this mission and entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation.
to take his followers to be with him forever and restore all creation to God’s intended purposes. His coming is to be expected at any time.
Each person will appear before God and be subject to His judgment. Followers of Jesus will be accepted by God as a result of Jesus’ work. They will spend eternity enjoying God and all of his goodness. Those who have rejected Jesus and have remained in their rebellion against God will be expelled from God’s presence and consigned to an eternity spent apart from him and all of his goodness.
