Basic Bible Beliefs

The Holy Bible:

The Holy Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God. The Old and New Testaments together are the infallible, authoritative Scriptures for the faith and practice of God’s people. (2 Timothy 3:15-17;John 5:39; Luke 24:44;Romans 15:4; John 17:17)

God, the Father

The supreme Deity of the Universe is God Almighty. It is He who created all things by His Word and sustains them by His power. (Genesis 1:1; Genesis 17:1,2;Acts 17:24,25,30,31;Exodus 20:1-17)

Jesus Christ the Son

Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. He is of the same substance as the Father. Before time began He existed with the Father, shared the Father’s glory, and participated in creation. Voluntarily relinquishing the rights of His deity, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary and was born in Bethlehem. In full humanity Jesus perfectly obeyed the Father’s will, died by crucifiion, was buried and rose again after three days and three nights in the tomb. He ascended into Heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father. He is the Savior and Redeemer of all who trust in Him.

(John 1:1-3, 18; John 3:16; Matthew 1:21; 12:40;Luke 1:26-35;Philippians 2:5-11;1Timothy 2:5)

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is not some impersonal power or force but it is God Himself.

The Holy Spirit is the promised Comforter sent from God after the ascension of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit dwells in those Christians who ask of God and obey Him. (John 14:16-18, 26;Acts:1:5,8;Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22, 23)

The Church

The church is the spiritual body of believers who have faith in Jesus Christ and obey the will of God. It has Christ as its Head and exists universally and locally to worship God, study the Scriptures, preach the gospel, nurture believers and serve humanity. The Bible most often refers to this body as “church of God” therefore we use that name. (Matthew 16:18; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:25-33; 1 Corinthians 1:2;Acts 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 3:1-13)

 The Sabbath

 The fourth commandment teaches us to observe the seventh day (Saturday) of each week as the Sabbath.  It is kept from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset by ceasing from secular work, engaging in corporate worship and doing good for others. (Genesis 2:1-3;Exodus 20:8-11;Leviticus 23:32; Isaiah 56:1-8; Luke 4:16;Acts 13:14, 42,44; Hebrews 4:4-10)

Baptism

 Baptism by immersion in water is a commanded response to the death, burial and resurrection of Christ on our behalf. It pictures  the believer’s covenant union with the Lord: death to sin, burial of the old nature and rising to new life. Baptism itself does not save, but is an acts of obedience. Baptism is not designed for infants but for those who know God’s saving plan and who decide to trust and obey the Lord. (Romans 6:1-6; Acts 2:38, 8:35-39; 16:30-34; 1 Peter 3:21)

 The Lord’s Supper

At the Lord’s Supper, unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine are received as symbols of our Lord’s body and blood, which he offered as a sacrifice for sin.   Unfermented grape juice is the symbol we choose for His blood. Because the first Lord’s Supper was at Passover, we have chosen to observe it on Nisan fourteen of the Hebrew calendar.  At the supper, we follow Jesus’ example and command by washing one another’s feet in service and humility. (Matthew 26:17-19, 26-29; Mark 14:22-25;Luke 22:19,20; 1 Corinthians 10:16,17;11:23-26; John 13:1-17)

Pagan Holidays

 The celebration of Sunday, Christmas, Lent, Easter, or Halloween as sacred times have no scriptural support.  All of these Holidays have Pagan origins and should not be celebrated by Christians. (Jeremiah 10:2-10; Matthew 12:38-40;  1 Corinthians 10:18-22; 2Corinthians 6:14-18)

Clean and Unclean Foods

The distinction between clean and unclean meats, with respect to foods, is to be observed today as God’s will because it was God-given for the benefit of mankind. (Genesis 7:1-3; Leviticus 11:2-23,46,47;Deuteronomy 14:3-20)