The Bible is God’s word revealed to man. It is written by men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is God-breathed, infallible, without error, sufficient for doctrine, instruction, and discipline. While some changes and differences may exist in translation, the Scriptures in their original languages are perfect. Translation may have caused some alterations in style but God has preserved His doctrine and His word to man. God has revealed Himself in the Holy Scriptures; giving man a glimpse of who He is, what he expects, and most importantly, how we can have a relationship with Him. I believe that not all things have been revealed and remain secret but those things that have been revealed are revealed for our benefit. The existence of God is not proven in the Bible but rather is assumed that God is and what is revealed demonstrates His existence (Ex. 3:1-6; Deut. 29:29; Ps. 19:7-10; Is. 34:16; Matt. 15:3-9; Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Col. 1:25; 1 Thess. 2:13; Jn. 1:18; Heb. 1:1-3). Dennis Mock has correctly stated, “The Bible is either God’s flawless word to men or it is men’s flawed words about God – it cannot be both!”

I believe there is one true God who has revealed Himself in the Scriptures in three distinct persons. While the word Trinity is not used to refer to God in the Bible, the Bible clearly refers to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Jn. 6:27; Heb. 1:8; Acts 4:3-4).

God the Father is eternal and the creator of all that exists. He is infinite having no beginning and no end. God is invisible except as He revealed Himself in Christ. He is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. He is perfect, good, sovereign, holy, faithful, and He alone can save. God is perfect and created man in a perfect relationship with Him. (1 Sam. 2:2; Dan. 4:34-35; Is. 59:16; Ps. 100-5; Mt. 19:17; 2 Tim. 2:13; Lk. 18:26-27; 1 Pet. 1:17; Jer. 32:17; Ps. 77:14, Ps. 145:6; Ps. 139:7-12; Jer. 23:23-24; Prov. 15:3; Is. 46:10; 1 Jn. 3:20).

God the Son left His place in heaven to take on flesh and walk on earth as man. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. This fact is essential because as the God-Man (100% God and Man) he was without sin yet understood the temptation of the flesh. He was sent by God the Father as the propitiation for the sin of all. God sent His only Son to save a world that was already condemned because of sin. He is not only the Savior but will one day return as the judge for all of humanity (Mt. 1:18-20; Lk. 3:21-22; Heb. 9:14; 1 Pet. 3:18Jn. 1:1-18; Jn. 3:16-18; Rm. 3:25 Rm. 5:12-20; Eph. 1:3-10; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-22; Col. 2:9-15; Heb.1:1-9)

God the Holy Spirit is eternal and infinite. He was sent as our comforter and source of power to live the Christian life. His first appearance after the resurrection of Christ is recorded in Acts 2. He too is deity. He inspired men to write what is now the canon of scripture. The Holy Spirit draws individuals to Christ through His irresistible grace. He is responsible for baptizing every new believer into the body of Christ and gives spiritual gifts for the edification of God and the expansion of His kingdom. He illuminates the Word of God. He is the earnest or promise to keep the believer until the day of Jesus’ return. (Gen. 1:2 Mt. 28:19; Jn. 14;16-17; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb. 10:15-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 4:31; Gal 4:4-6; 2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13-14; Rom 8:26-27).

God created, in His own image, males first then created females as a help-mate because He saw that it was not good for man to be alone. Humans were created without sin and set in God’s perfect creation to commune with Him. God provided for their every need. Adam and Eve were told that everything in the garden was for them, except the fruit of the tree of knowledge. Satan tempted Eve with this fruit asking, “Did God really say you would die?” Eve began to question the boundaries, then offered the fruit to Adam. Adam ate of the tree and with this act sin entered the world and their innocence was lost. All of humanity was at that moment separated from God without hope of reconciliation to God. (Gen. 1:26-30; Gen. 2:5-22; Gen. 9:6; Is. 6:5; Jer. 17:5; Mt. 16:26; 1Cor. 1:21-31; Eph. 2:1-22)

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to me but by the Father.” There is but one way for humanity’s separation and lost relationship with God to be restored. Salvation is possible because of God’s mercy to offer His grace through the sacrifice of His son Jesus. Salvation is exclusive in that there is no way to God except through Jesus. God the Father sent the sacrifice for us, Jesus was the sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit draws man to the sacrifice convincing man of the need for a Savior. There is nothing I can do to warrant salvation. It is a gift of God offered through grace alone and is not of works. If I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I will be saved (Jn. 14:6; Rm. 3:23, Rm. 6:23, Rm. 5:8, Rom. 10:9, Eph. 2:8-9) 1Cor. 15:1-11; 1 Jn. 1:9; 1 Pet. 1:2-23).

The church is the local body of Christ made up of baptized believers who covenant together to fulfill the great commission as stated in Acts. 1:8. The church is responsible for worship, fellowship, discipleship, evangelism, and ministry. The church body is a democratic body where each believer is accountable to God. Every church is independent from any outside governing body. As such, the local church is responsible for budgets, organization, calling a new pastor, and other daily functions of the church. The biblical leaders of the church are the Pastor, called to shepherd the flock, and the deacons, called to minister to the flock. These two positions are reserved for men who meet the other qualifications as outlined in scripture. Scripture identifies the two ordinances of the church as baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Mt. 16:15-19; Mt. 26:26-30; Mt. 28:19-20; Acts 2; 41-42; Rm. 1:7; 1Cor 3:16; Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 2:19-22; 1Tim. 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Tit. 1:5-9; Mt. 3:13-17; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12).

God will bring the world, as we know it, to an end. Jesus will physically return from heaven entering through the Eastern sky. When He returns, the dead in Christ will arise first and will meet Jesus in the air. They will then be joined by those currently living who have accepted Jesus as Savior. Jesus will judge all men, women, and children by His righteousness. Those who have never acknowledged Jesus as Savior and Lord will be sent into Hell for all of eternity. Those made righteous by accepting the gift of salvation will have a new body and will reside in heaven forever with God (Mt. 24; Mk. 9:43-48; Lk. 12:40; Jn. 14:1-3; Rm. 14:10; 2Cor. 5:10; 1 Thess. 4:14-18; Heb. 9:27-28; Jas. 5:8).