1. Love: that unconditional love for one another as Jesus loves will manifest our discipleship, prove our love for God and show the world we belong to Him. Love is the greatest commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ upon which all other are dependent.
Matthew 22:35-40; John 13:34-35; John 15:12; 1 John 4:7-21; 1 John 5:1-3; Revelation 2:4-5
2. Scripture: that the 66 books of the Bible are the infallible words of God, verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit, and the all-sufficient authority of faith and conduct.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 19:7-12; Psalm 119:160
3. God: that there is only one true God, eternally existing in three Persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - equal in divine perfection yet distinct in divine functions.
Matthew 28:19; John 8:12-59; John 14:8-17
- Person of the Father: that God the Father is sovereign, holy, fair and merciful who lovingly pursues the redemption of His fallen creation.
Psalm 139; Isaiah 40; John 3:16-21
- Person of Jesus Christ: that God the eternal Son became a man through the virgin birth, uniting perfect deity and humanity in one Person forever. He lived a sinless life, was crucified, rose bodily from the dead, and ascended into heaven as Lord of all His creation. He now intercede for believers and will return personally and visibly to receive them and establish His kingdom and rule in righteousness and peace.
Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1-18; John 10:30; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Colossians 1:15-23; Hebrews 4:14-16; Revelation 19:11-20
- Person of the Holy Spirit: that God the Holy Spirit is the divine Administrator for Jesus Christ in His churches. His work includes convicting and regenerating sinners; sealing, securing and indwelling believers; enabling them to live a life of obedient faith, equipping and empowering them for service and witness.
Luke 24:49; John 14-16; Acts 1-2; Romans 8; Galatians 5; Ephesians 5:18-21
4. Humanity: that man and woman were created in the image of God and lived in innocence until they became separated from God by their disobedience. As a result, every human being is born a sinner and are lost.
Genesis 1-3; Romans 3-5
5. Salvation: that the depraved sinner is eternally saved wholly by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died for them and rose from the dead. God forgives sinners and saves them eternally when they turn from their sin and put their faith in Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus assumes their punishment for sin, credits His righteousness to those who believe, and brings them into right relationship with God as His children.
Romans 5-6; Romans 10:8-10; Ephesians 2:8-9
6. Sanctification: that believers are declared holy in standing before God because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. They are eternally saved, but until they return to the Lord, they are to grow in godliness as they submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ, and they participate in a Christ community as they are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 5:18; Hebrews 10:10; 2 Peter 3:14-18
7. The Church: that Jesus Christ established and continues to build His church as a local community of baptized believers covenanted together to carry out Christ’s mission on earth. Each church is an independent, self-governing body, and no other ecclesiastical body may exercise authority over it. God gives spiritual gifts and leaders to the church for its edification and His worship. The two God ordained ordinances of the church are believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Matthew 4:18-22; Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 22:19; Ephesians 3-4
8. Mission: that Jesus Christ commissioned His church to make disciples of all peoples by baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything He commanded His followers to do. Every believer is responsible to communicate to all people by verbal witness, godly living, and acts of compassion, the Good News of God’s redemptive love and salvation.
Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:6-11