The following is our basic doctrine. It is the Christian essentials and it’s something every Christian should know and understand…
Salvation is a gift from God to all those who believe. It cannot be taken away or lost. Once a child of God, always a child of God. We don’t earn it or work for it; nor can we pay for it in any way with any thing (including good deeds). Our works/deeds should reflect our deepest appreciation to God for His gift of grace. They should not be considered a “deposit toward” our salvation. We are saved by God’s GRACE (Ephesians 2:8-9)…period!
GRACE is an undeserved, unearned and unmerited gift from God through faith in Christ Jesus. We cannot work for it, pay for it or earn GRACE. For example, the ability to breath, laugh, walk and talk are all a result of the GRACE of GOD; free and undeserved. The GRACE of salvation (or “Saving Grace”) came in the form of Jesus Christ. The cost of our salvation was PAID IN FULL by Jesus Christ and that is why it is free for us. We MUST accept this free gift and we do that by the use of our FAITH.
FAITH is believing without knowing or seeing. It’s the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). KNOWLEDGE is developed throughout life by our various experiences. We KNOW that fire is hot and can burn; we KNOW that food will spoil if left out too long, and we KNOW rain falls from the clouds in the sky. There is however, a distinct difference between KNOWING and BELIEVING. To KNOW is to be certain; to BELIEVE is to have FAITH. It is with this FAITH that we believe that the Bible is the true word of God.
CHRISTIAN (Saved, Born Again, Believer, Redeemed, Sanctified, Justified, Saint, Disciple) – One who confesses and accepts by faith Jesus’ sacrifice as full payment for ALL their sins…past, present, and future (Romans 10:9-10). Our confession includes Jesus’ virgin birth, His life and miracles, His arrest and crucifixion (death on the cross), His ascension back to God and His eventual return to take us back to Heaven for eternity.
The Bible is the inspired, infallible and inerrant (error free) Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20)
God is our Creator, the Father of Jesus and our Father. (Genesis 1:1, Matthew 3:17, Romans 8:15)
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our Brother and our Savior. (Matthew 16:16-27, Matthew 12:46-50, Luke 2:8-11)
The Holy Spirit is our Guide, Comforter and Teacher. (John 14:25-26, John 15:26-27 and John 16:7-15)
We (Christians) are guaranteed a seat in heaven and promised eternal life with Christ. (John 14:1-4)
Sin is anything that violates or goes against God’s word (the Bible). We are all sinners (Romans 3:20-23). When we accept Jesus Christ, we become sinners saved by GRACE.
Repentance is turning away from sin. It starts in the heart, moves to the mind and ultimately becomes evident in our actions. (2 Timothy 2:16)
Satan is the enemy of God and he is our enemy. (Matthew 12:22, Luke 22:31-32, 1 Peter 5:8)
