God
There is one and only one living, and true God. He is the Creator and Ruler of the universe who has eternally existed. He has revealed Himself in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who, while distinct in personhood, are one in nature, essence, and being.
Genesis 1:1, 26; John 1:1, 3; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24; Romans 1:19, 20; Ephesians 4:5,6
The Father is infinite, personal, holy, all loving, all powerful, and all wise. He rules the universe with providential care and directs the course of all human history according to the purposes of His grace. He concerns Himself with the affairs of men—hearing and answering prayers and saving from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
Luke 10:21,22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16; 6:27; Romans 1:7;
1 Timothy 1:1, 2; 2:5,6; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6
The Son is Jesus Christ. As God, He is co-equal with the Father and has eternally existed. He became man at His incarnation, lived a sinless human life, and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He physically rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. He is the One Mediator between God and man and He will physically return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission.
Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1; 20:28; Romans 9:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21;
1 Peter 2:21-23; John 20:30, 31; Romans 5:6-9; Hebrews 7:25; 9:28; 1 Timothy 3:16
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He calls people to the Savior and effects regeneration and seals them unto the day of final redemption. He indwells every believer sanctifying, empowering, comforting, and equipping each for spiritual service. He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide.
John 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26-27; 16:9-14; Romans 8:9;
1 Corinthians 3:16, 19; Galatians 5:22-26
Human Beings
Man was created by God in His own image and is the crowning work of His creation. By his own choice, man sinned against God and ushered sin into the human race. As a result, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and are sinners by choice and therefore under condemnation.
Genesis 1:26; 5:2; Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3; Romans 5:12, 19;
6:23; John 3:18; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:15
Salvation
Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ. His sinless life, substitutionary death, and bodily resurrection from the dead make available the complete forgiveness of sin to anyone who accepts Him as Lord and Savior. This work of salvation includes regeneration, the deliverance from all condemnation, the remaking of the person into a new creature, and the certainty of eternal life. Furthermore, this salvation is eternally secure.
John 3:16; 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; John 5:24;
Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:1
Scripture
The Bible is the Word of God. It came through human writers under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; thus, it is without error in the original manuscripts. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. The Bible serves as the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct and is the standard by which all creeds and religious opinions should be tried.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Mark 13:31; John 8:31; 20:31; Acts 20:32
The Church
The universal church is a spiritual body comprised of all regenerated persons of which Jesus Christ is head. The local church is a company of baptized believers in Jesus who associate for the purpose of worship, work and fellowship. The primary task of the local church is the giving of the Gospel of Christ to a lost world.
Matthew 16:15-19; Acts 2:41-42; Ephesians 2:19-22; Acts 1:8; Hebrews 10:23-25