1 One God
There is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), who is infinitely perfect (Matthew 5:48),
existing eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
Jesus Christ is the true God and the true man (Philippians 2:6-11). He was
conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:34-38). He died
upon the cross, the Just for the unjust (1 Peter 3:18), as a substitutionary
sacrifice (Hebrews 2:9), and all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of
His shed blood (Romans 5:9). He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures
(Acts 2:23-24). He is now at the right hand of Majesty on high as our great High
Priest (Hebrews 8:1). He will come again to establish His kingdom, righteousness
and peace (Matthew 26:64).
2 Divinity of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a divine person (John 14:15-18), sent to indwell, guide,
teach, empower the believer (John 16:13; Acts 1:8), and convince the world of sin,
of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:7-11).
3 Authority of the Scriptures
The Old and New Testaments, inerrant as originally given, were verbally inspired
by God and are a complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men. They
constitute the divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice
(2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:15-16).
4 Original Sin and Salvation
Man was originally created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27); he
fell through disobedience, incurring thereby both physical and spiritual death.
All men are born with a sinful nature (Romans 3:23), are separated from the life
of God, and can be saved only through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ
(1 Corinthians 15:20-23). The portion of the unrepentant and unbelieving is
existence forever in conscious torment (Revelation 21:8); and that of the
believer, in everlasting joy and bliss (Revelation 21:1-4). Salvation has been
provided through Jesus Christ for all men; and those who repent and believe in Him
are born again of the Holy Spirit, receive the gift of eternal life, and become
the children of God (Titus 3:4-7).
5 Baptism of the Holy Spirit
It is the will of God that each believer should be filled with the Holy Spirit
and be sanctified wholly (1 Thessalonians 5:23), being separated from sin and the
world and fully dedicated to the will of God, thereby receiving power for holy
living and effective service (Acts 1:8). This is both a crisis and a progressive
experience wrought in the life of the believer subsequent to conversion
(Romans 6:1-14).
6 Healing Power
Provision is made in the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ for the healing
of the mortal body (Matthew 8:16-17). Prayer for the sick and anointing with oil
are taught in the Scriptures and are privileges for the Church in this present age
(James 5:13-16).
7 The Church Body
The Church consists of all those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, are
redeemed through His blood, and are born again of the Holy Spirit. Christ is the
Head of the Body, the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23), which has been commissioned by
Him to go into all the world as a witness, preaching the gospel to all nations
(Matthew 28:19-20). The local church is a body of believers in Christ who are
joined together for the worship of God, for edification through the Word of God,
for prayer, fellowship, the proclamation of the gospel, and observance of the
ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:41-47).
8 The Resurrection and Second Coming
There shall be a bodily resurrection of the just and of the unjust; for the
former, a resurrection unto life (1 Corinthians 15:20-23); for the latter, a
resurrection unto judgment (John 5:28-29). The second coming of the Lord Jesus
Christ is imminent (Hebrews 10:37) and will be personal, visible, and
premillennial (Luke 21:27). This is the believer's blessed hope and is a vital
truth which is an incentive to holy living and faithful service (Titus 2:11-14).