1. The Bible is Inspired

The Scriptures of the entire Bible are inspired of God.  We therefore believe that (1) the Scriptures are God’s revelation of himself to mankind, (2) they are infallible, and (3) they are the divinely authoritative guide for our faith, belief, and manner of living (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21).

2. One True God

There is one true God.  He has revealed himself as having always existed without any outside cause or agent bringing Him into being (Isaiah 43:10).  He is the Creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1) and the One who redeems, saves, or rescues mankind from sin and its painful consequences (Isaiah 43:11).  God has further revealed himself as a single Being (Deuteronomy 6:4) consisting of three interrelated persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19, Luke 3:22).  This concept of one God or Being of three persons is called the Trinity.

3. The Lord Jesus Christ is Fully God

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has always existed.  He too is without beginning or end (Revelation 1:8).  In order to complete His earthly sacrificial mission, He became human by being born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31, 35). He lived a perfect life, absolutely without sin (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22).  While on earth He worked many miracles through the anointing of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:22, 10:38).  In order to restore fallen mankind, He died on the cross as a substitute for the sins of every person (1 Corinthians 15:3, 2 Corinthians 5:21).  He was raised from the dead by the supernatural power of God (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38, 1 Corinthians 6:14, 15:4).  Since His resurrection He has been exalted (honored), and is seated at the right hand of God (Acts 1:9, 11, 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3).

4. The Fall of Mankind

Mankind was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”  However, mankind by willful choice, ignored God’s instructions … choosing to engage in what they knew was wrong and evil.  As a result, mankind fell from innocence and goodness and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:17, 3:6; Romans 5:12-19).

5. The Salvation of Mankind

Salvation is deliverance from spiritual death and enslavement by sin.  God provides salvation for all who believe and accept His free offer of forgiveness.  Mankind’s only hope of redemption from the fallen sinful state is through the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son—blood that was shed as Jesus died on the cross. [The account of the crucifixion of Jesus is recounted by four of His contemporaries:  Matthew (chapter 27), Mark (chapter 15), Luke (chapter 23), and John (chapter 19).

6. The Blessed Hope

The blessed hope is that one day the scriptural teaches us  of the Lord’s soon return. (Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Titus 2:13).