There is one and only one, living and true God, who is infinitely perfect and who exists eternally (Deuteronomy 33:37, 1 Timothy 1:17) in three persons--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Peter 1:1-2). These three persons are one God, the same in substance and equal in power and glory (Psalm 139:17, John 1:1-4, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11). God is omniscient (Isaiah 46:10, Hebrews 4:1), omnipotent (Isaiah 14:27, Jeremiah 32:17), and omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10, Jeremiah 23:23-34). He is the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens, earth, and all that is (Genesis 1:1, Acts 17:24-28, Isaiah 44:24). He is holy (Leviticus 11:44, Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8)--meaning that He is perfect and just, free from all moral impurity (see Deuteronomy 32:4). He is the perfect parent (Psalm 27:10). He constantly demonstrates wisdom (Psalm 147:5, Romans 11:33), mercy (Nehemiah 9:17, Romans 9:16), grace (Ephesians 1:16, Titus 2:11), faithfulness (Deuteronomy 7:9, Lamentations 3:22-23), patience (Numbers 14:18, 2 Peter 3:9), and goodness (Psalm 100:5, James 1:5-17). God is a relational being who desires relationship with His people (Genesis 1:27).
We affirm the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:14-18, John 8:58), His virgin birth (Matthew 1:18-25), His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, through His shed blood, His bodily resurrection (Luke 23-24), His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:9) where He intercedes for believers (Hebrews 10:12), and His personal return in power and glory (Revelation 19:11-16). Through his death and resurrection, Jesus redeemed believers from sin by purchasing them for a price (Romans 3:22-16, 1 Corinthians 7:23, Revelation 5:9). Through Christ, believers become children of God and receive a spirit of adoption whereby they can call God, "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:14-16).
We affirm the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. The Holy Spirit empowers the Christian for witness and service. The Holy Spirit teaches (Luke 12:11-12), speaks (Acts 13:2), counsels (John 14:16), intercedes (Romans 8:26), and can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). The Holy Spirit sanctifies believers, enabling them to die to their flesh and resist sinful temptation (Colossians 3:5-6, Matthew 16:24, Matthew 5:29), submit to fellowship with other believers (Philemon 1), and be transformed by continually submitting to Christ (Romans 12:2); sanctification is a life-long process (Philippians 3:12, 1 John 1:8-9). The Holy Spirit provides one or more spiritual gifts to all believers, manifesting them as He wills (1 Corinthians 12). These gifts exist for the edification of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 14:12, 1 Peter 4).
The Bible is the Word of God, given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), eternally reliable and authoritative and the only rule of faith and life to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him (Psalm 12:6, Psalm 18:30, Proverbs 30:5-6, John 17:17). Scripture is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that the man or woman of God may be complete--thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Salvation is by grace, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:5). Regeneration by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:17), repentance toward God (Matthew 3:7-10, Acts 3:19), and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16) are necessary to salvation.
Both the saved and the lost will be resurrected. We affirm the Last Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15), the eternal salvation of the elect unto everlasting life (John 10:27-29), and the damnation of the reprobate unto eternal destruction (Revelation 20:15).
The one universal church is the Body of Christ, who is its Head, with all who are born-again being its members. The church's purpose is to offer worship and service to God, minister to the saints (Matthew 28:20, Ephesians 4:12), evangelize (Matthew 28:19), administer the sacraments (Baptism and the Lord's Supper), govern its affairs, extend mercy and benevolence (Acts 2:44-45), and proclaim and preserve truth.
Angels are spiritual beings created by God (Psalm 148:2, 5; Hebrews 1:14). They do God's every command (1 Kings 22:19) and protect the people of God (Exodus 14:19-20, Matthew 26:53).
We affirm the reality of Satan (the devil) and demons (Genesis 3:4, Isaiah 14:2-5, Ezekiel 28:12-16, 2 Peter 2:4, Revelation 14:4, 7-9). Believers are to put on the full armor of God and engage in spiritual warfare against these forces of evil, using the Word and prayer to fight (Ephesians 6:13-18). Believers can be assured that God at work in them through the Holy Spirit is infinitely more powerful than Satan and his demons and that Satan and his demons are eternally condemned (John 16:33, Romans 16:20, Revelation 20:1-15).
We affirm the atoning work of Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in healing and delivering God's people that they might enter His glory.
