A list is the most efficient method of communicating our basic positions. We call these the “six essentials of faith” thereafter, are varying degrees of importance to individual positions. The six essentials are…
We believe there is one, true God–He is the creator of the universe and sustainer of all things. He exists eternally in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence but distinct in person and function. The Father is the first person of the Trinity and the source of all that God is and does. From Him the Son is eternally generated and from Them the Spirit eternally proceeds.
We believe there is one, true God–He is the creator of the universe and sustainer of all things. He exists eternally in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence but distinct in person and function. The Father is the first person of the Trinity and the source of all that God is and does. From Him the Son is eternally generated and from Them the Spirit eternally proceeds.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father. He lives forever as both perfect God and perfect man. He was conceived by a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on a cross as the necessary sacrifice in full payment for the sins of all, was buried for three days, rose physically from the dead on the third day, ascended into heaven, and will return one day for His church. We believe salvation and assurance of Heaven is through Jesus Christ alone, through repentance of sin and faith in Him as the Savior.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father. He lives forever as both perfect God and perfect man. He was conceived by a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on a cross as the necessary sacrifice in full payment for the sins of all, was buried for three days, rose physically from the dead on the third day, ascended into heaven, and will return one day for His church. We believe salvation and assurance of Heaven is through Jesus Christ alone, through repentance of sin and faith in Him as the Savior.
We believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son and is equal in deity. He is the agent of inspiration and the new birth and restrains both sin and Satan. He indwells and sanctifies all who are born again, conforming them to the likeness of Jesus Christ, and gives each believer gifts to serve the church with and to further the spreading of the Gospel.
We believe that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, though written by men, was supernaturally inspired by God so that all its words are the written true revelation of God. It is therefore inerrant in the originals and authoritative in all matters. It is to be understood by all through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, its meaning determined by the historical, grammatical, and literary use of the author’s language, comparing Scripture with Scripture.
We believe that Adam, the first man, willfully disobeyed God, bringing sin and death into the world. Because of this, all people are sinners and are subject to eternal punishment, under the just condemnation of a holy God. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, each person can be saved by repenting of sins and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. The church is the assembly of believers, together spreading the Gospel, supporting one another, and serving others. Our mission, as commanded by Jesus, is to baptize, evangelize, and teach the Gospel until the inevitable return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We believe that Adam, the first man, willfully disobeyed God, bringing sin and death into the world. Because of this, all people are sinners and are subject to eternal punishment, under the just condemnation of a holy God. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, each person can be saved by repenting of sins and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. The church is the assembly of believers, together spreading the Gospel, supporting one another, and serving others. Our mission, as commanded by Jesus, is to baptize, evangelize, and teach the Gospel until the inevitable return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
A list is the most efficient method of communicating our basic positions. We call these the “six essentials of faith” thereafter, are varying degrees of importance to individual positions. The six essentials are…
• The inspiration of the Bible as the infallible and inerrant Word of God
• The existence of only one true God as three co-equal and co-eternal persons (the Trinity)
• The deity and substitutionary atonement of Christ (Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone)
• The Virgin Birth
• The bodily resurrection of Christ
• The physical return of Christ
In detail…
We affirm our belief in one God, infinite Spirit, creator, and sustainer of all things, who exists eternally in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence but distinct in person and function.
We affirm that the Father is the first person of the Trinity and the source of all that God is and does. From Him the Son is eternally generated and from Them the Spirit eternally proceeds. He is the designer of creation, the speaker of revelation, the author of redemption, and the sovereign of history.
We affirm that the Lord Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity, eternally begotten from the Father. He is God. He was conceived by the virgin Mary through a miracle of the Holy Spirit. He lives forever as perfect God and perfect man: two distinct natures inseparably united in one person.
We affirm that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, proceeding from the Father and the Son and equal in deity. He is the giver of all life, active in the creating and ordering of the universe; He is the agent of inspiration and the new birth; He restrains sin and Satan; and He indwells and sanctifies all believers.
We affirm that all things were created by God. Angels were created as ministering agents, though some, under the leadership of Satan, fell from their sinless state to become agents of evil. The universe was created in six historical days and is continuously sustained by God; thus it both reflects His glory and reveals His truth. Human beings were directly created, not evolved, in the very image of God. As reasoning moral agents, they are responsible under God for understanding and governing themselves and the world.
We affirm that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, though written by men, was supernaturally inspired by God so that all its words are the written true revelation of God; it is therefore inerrant in the originals and authoritative in all matters. It is to be understood by all through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, its meaning determined by the historical, grammatical, and literary use of the author’s language, comparing Scripture with Scripture.
We affirm that Adam, the first man, willfully disobeyed God, bringing sin and death into the world. As a result, all persons are sinners from conception, which is evidenced in their willful acts of sin; and they are therefore subject to eternal punishment, under the just condemnation of a holy God.
We affirm that Jesus Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice by the appointment of the Father. He fulfilled the demands of God by His obedient life, died on the cross in full substitution and payment for the sins of all, was buried, and on the third day He arose physically and bodily from the dead. He ascended into heaven where He now intercedes for all believers.
We affirm that each person can be saved only through the work of Jesus Christ, through repentance of sin and by faith alone in Him as Savior. The believer is declared righteous, born again by the Holy Spirit, turned from sin, and assured of heaven.
We affirm that the Holy Spirit indwells all who are born again, conforming them to the likeness of Jesus Christ. This is a process completed only in Heaven. Every believer is responsible to live in obedience to the Word of God in separation from sin.
We affirm that a church is a local assembly of baptized believers, under the discipline of the Word of God and the lordship of Christ, organized to carry out the commission to evangelize, to teach, and to administer the ordinances of believer’s baptism and the Lord’s table. Its offices are pastors and deacons, and it is self-governing. It functions through the ministry of gifts given by the Holy Spirit to each believer.
We affirm that the return of Christ for all believers is imminent. It will be followed by seven years of great tribulation, and then the coming of Christ to establish His earthly kingdom for a thousand years. The unsaved will then be raised and judged according to their works and separated forever from God in hell. The saved, having been raised, will live forever in heaven in fellowship with God.
Adopted in part from: Liberty University, 1971 University Boulevard, Lynchburg, VA 24502 434-582-2000
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