GOD- God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. God is absolutely separate from and exalted above all His creatures. He is equally separate from all moral evil and sin (meaning he is Holy). He is unchangeable, all-powerful, infinite in His knowledge, and omnipresent (present everywhere at once). (Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
JESUS CHRIST - Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross, paying the penalty for man’s sin. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again to judge the hearts of man and gather His people to take to their eternal home with Him. (Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5 & 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)
THE HOLY SPIRIT - The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He was actively involved in creation and is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He is both the author and interpreter of Scripture. (Genesis 1:2, 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13 & 14:16-17; 1 Corinthians 2:12 & 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18; 2 Peter 1:21; Hebrews 3:7, 10:15 )
THE BIBLE - The Bible is God's Word to all men. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, the Bible is total truth without any mixture of error. We accept miracles and creation as literal accounts. (2 Timothy 1:13 & 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119: 105, 160 & 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)
MAN - Man is an eternal being made in the spiritual image of God, to be like God in character. He did not accidentally evolve from lower forms of life, but is the supreme object of God's creation. Man has a tremendous potential for good, but he is marred by an attitude and acts of disobedience toward God called "sin." This sin separates man from God. Although man has a tendency to sin, he is not separated from God until, of his own will, he disobeys God’s Word. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2)
ETERNITY - Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God, through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence. (John 3:16; 1 John 2:25 & 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15)
SALVATION - Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Those who believe in Christ should repent of sin, confess their faith, and be baptized (immersed) into Him. Baptism is an integral part of the salvation process. (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8 & 10:9; Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:27; I Peter 3:21; Colossians 2:11-12)