The Seven Essentials of Our Faith

1. ABOUT GOD - God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe, and is revealed in three

personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three (The Trinity) are co-equal and are one God.

 

2. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST - Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, is co-equal with God. Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven and will return someday to earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.

 

3. ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT - The Holy Spirit is co-equal with God and with the Son of God. The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need to be reconciled to God. The Holy Spirit also lives in every Christian from the moment of conversion, and provides the spiritual truth and guidance to do what is right in the eyes of God. The Holy Spirit gives every believer a spiritual gift when they accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives. As Christians we seek to live daily under His influence.

4. ABOUT THE BIBLE - The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living; and, it contains all things necessary for salvation.

 

5. ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS - People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be of like character. We are the supreme act of God's creation. Although every person has great potential for good, we are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

 

6. ABOUT SALVATION - Salvation is God's free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trust in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty: eternal separation from God. Eternal life, the life which God intends for us, begins the moment a person accepts Jesus Christ into his or her heart by faith.

 

7. ABOUT ETERNITY - We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin (our own will to do as we please with our lives), or eternally with God through forgiveness and His saving grace. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with God is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real and eternal.