What is the Gospel?
• The Gospel means "Good News".
• According to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Christ DIED upon the cross for your sins; He was BURIED; and He bodily RESURRECTED three days later defeating death and providing eternal life when you believe (trust) in Him.
• Jesus (God) shed His literal, physical, blood as a perfect, permanent payment for your sins (1st Peter 1:18-19).
• If you believe "the Gospel" as payment for your sins (trust in Jesus), then you are saved eternally.
• Repent and believe the Gospel (Mark 1:15). Repentance is a "change of mind" that compels you to believe the Gospel and trust in Jesus.
• That's it. No more. No less. No commitments to God. No individual promises.
• Eternal life is all about "believing" what God has done for you, not what you will do for God.
• Post salvation, if you live in deliberate sin, it means you're living in rebellion to God's will for your life, and it is probably one of the most joyless experiences that you as a Christian can suffer. However...
• Your sins were dealt with at the Cross. Sinful thoughts and ungodly conduct grieve the Spirit of God (Eph. 4:30), and our communion with God suffers. But our eternal salvation is not based on what we did or didn't do - it's based on what Christ did for us. It is finished.
• We don't get saved by good works, and we don't get unsaved by doing bad works. Salvation (God) produces good works in us.
• Eternal life cannot be lost once obtained! You have eternal life the moment you believe, and it lasts forever!
• It's really that simple - according to the Bible.
• According to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Christ DIED upon the cross for your sins; He was BURIED; and He bodily RESURRECTED three days later defeating death and providing eternal life when you believe (trust) in Him.
• Jesus (God) shed His literal, physical, blood as a perfect, permanent payment for your sins (1st Peter 1:18-19).
• If you believe "the Gospel" as payment for your sins (trust in Jesus), then you are saved eternally.
• Repent and believe the Gospel (Mark 1:15). Repentance is a "change of mind" that compels you to believe the Gospel and trust in Jesus.
• That's it. No more. No less. No commitments to God. No individual promises.
• Eternal life is all about "believing" what God has done for you, not what you will do for God.
• Post salvation, if you live in deliberate sin, it means you're living in rebellion to God's will for your life, and it is probably one of the most joyless experiences that you as a Christian can suffer. However...
• Your sins were dealt with at the Cross. Sinful thoughts and ungodly conduct grieve the Spirit of God (Eph. 4:30), and our communion with God suffers. But our eternal salvation is not based on what we did or didn't do - it's based on what Christ did for us. It is finished.
• We don't get saved by good works, and we don't get unsaved by doing bad works. Salvation (God) produces good works in us.
• Eternal life cannot be lost once obtained! You have eternal life the moment you believe, and it lasts forever!
• It's really that simple - according to the Bible.
Our Core Beliefs
We Believe...
• In the Holy Scriptures as originally given by God, divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy; and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
• One God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
• Our Lord Jesus Christ (who is God in human form), His virgin birth, His sinless human life, His divine miracles, His substitutional and atoning death, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension to heaven, His mediating work, and His personal return in power and glory.
• The Salvation of lost and sinful humans through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, His death, and His resurrection. Belief (trust, faith, etc.) in Jesus' completed work on the cross results in regeneration by the Holy Spirit (new spiritual life).
• The Holy Spirit, whose indwelling of the believer guarantees eternal life, and enables them to live a holy life - to witness and work for the Lord Jesus Christ - not to obtain or keep salvation, but because a person is saved.
• The Unity of the Spirit of all true believers, the Church, the Body of Christ.
• The Resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
• One God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
• Our Lord Jesus Christ (who is God in human form), His virgin birth, His sinless human life, His divine miracles, His substitutional and atoning death, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension to heaven, His mediating work, and His personal return in power and glory.
• The Salvation of lost and sinful humans through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, His death, and His resurrection. Belief (trust, faith, etc.) in Jesus' completed work on the cross results in regeneration by the Holy Spirit (new spiritual life).
• The Holy Spirit, whose indwelling of the believer guarantees eternal life, and enables them to live a holy life - to witness and work for the Lord Jesus Christ - not to obtain or keep salvation, but because a person is saved.
• The Unity of the Spirit of all true believers, the Church, the Body of Christ.
• The Resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
Source: Adapted from worldea.org
In short, we believe:
• Jesus is God.
• Jesus is the only way to heaven.
• Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in the finished work of Jesus alone.
• Salvation (new life) is eternal, and cannot be lost.
• God does not "elect" some individuals to be saved while leaving others with no ability to trust in Jesus for eternal life (learn more).
• Forgiveness of sins is a one-time act by God at the moment we receive Jesus Christ's free gift of eternal life (learn more).
• All who call on the name of the Lord, will be saved.
• The "Prosperity Gospel" (the promise of health, wealth, and happiness to everyone) is a false teaching, and not biblical.
In addition to the information above (and below), we also affirm the views in yellow on this document (content & file is not ours) and this website (no affiliation).
• Jesus is God.
• Jesus is the only way to heaven.
• Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in the finished work of Jesus alone.
• Salvation (new life) is eternal, and cannot be lost.
• God does not "elect" some individuals to be saved while leaving others with no ability to trust in Jesus for eternal life (learn more).
• Forgiveness of sins is a one-time act by God at the moment we receive Jesus Christ's free gift of eternal life (learn more).
• All who call on the name of the Lord, will be saved.
• The "Prosperity Gospel" (the promise of health, wealth, and happiness to everyone) is a false teaching, and not biblical.
In addition to the information above (and below), we also affirm the views in yellow on this document (content & file is not ours) and this website (no affiliation).
In Depth
The Gospel
We affirm that the Gospel is the good news that God has made a way of salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (God) for any person. This is in keeping with God's desire for every person to be saved.
We deny that only a select few are capable of responding to the Gospel while the rest are predestined to an eternity in hell.
Genesis 3:15; Psalm 2:1-12; Ezekiel 18:23, 32; Luke 19.10; Luke 24:45-49; John 1:1-18, 3:16; Romans 1:1-6, 5:8; 8:34; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 4:4-7; Colossians 1:21-23; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-16; 2 Peter 3:9
We deny that only a select few are capable of responding to the Gospel while the rest are predestined to an eternity in hell.
Genesis 3:15; Psalm 2:1-12; Ezekiel 18:23, 32; Luke 19.10; Luke 24:45-49; John 1:1-18, 3:16; Romans 1:1-6, 5:8; 8:34; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 4:4-7; Colossians 1:21-23; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-16; 2 Peter 3:9
The Sinfulness of Humans
We affirm that, because of the fall of Adam, every person inherits a nature and environment inclined toward sin and that every person who is capable of moral action will sin. Each person's sin alone brings the wrath of a holy God, broken fellowship with Him, ever-worsening selfishness and destructiveness, death, and condemnation to an eternity in hell.
We deny that Adam's sin resulted in the incapacitation of any person's free will or rendered any person guilty before he has personally sinned. While no sinner is remotely capable of achieving salvation through his own effort, we deny that any sinner is saved apart from a free response to the Holy Spirit's drawing through the Gospel.
Genesis 3:15-24; 6:5; Deuteronomy 1:39; Isaiah 6:5, 7:15-16;53:6; Jeremiah 17:5,9, 31:29-30; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:18-32; 3:9-18, 5:12, 6:23; 7:9; Matthew 7:21-23; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 6:9-10;15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27-28; Revelation 20:11-15
We deny that Adam's sin resulted in the incapacitation of any person's free will or rendered any person guilty before he has personally sinned. While no sinner is remotely capable of achieving salvation through his own effort, we deny that any sinner is saved apart from a free response to the Holy Spirit's drawing through the Gospel.
Genesis 3:15-24; 6:5; Deuteronomy 1:39; Isaiah 6:5, 7:15-16;53:6; Jeremiah 17:5,9, 31:29-30; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:18-32; 3:9-18, 5:12, 6:23; 7:9; Matthew 7:21-23; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 6:9-10;15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27-28; Revelation 20:11-15
The Atonement of Jesus
We affirm that the penal substitution of Jesus Christ (God in human form) is the only available and effective sacrifice for the sins of every person.
We deny that this atonement results in salvation without a person's free response of repentance and faith. We deny that God imposes or withholds this atonement without respect to an act of the person's free will. We deny that Christ died only for the sins of those who will be saved.
Psalm 22:1-31; Isaiah 53:1-12; John 12:32, 14:6; Acts 10:39-43; Acts 16:30-32; Romans 3:21-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:10-14; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-20; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 9:12-15, 24-28; 10:1-18; I John 1:7; 2:2
We deny that this atonement results in salvation without a person's free response of repentance and faith. We deny that God imposes or withholds this atonement without respect to an act of the person's free will. We deny that Christ died only for the sins of those who will be saved.
Psalm 22:1-31; Isaiah 53:1-12; John 12:32, 14:6; Acts 10:39-43; Acts 16:30-32; Romans 3:21-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:10-14; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-20; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 9:12-15, 24-28; 10:1-18; I John 1:7; 2:2
The Grace of God
We affirm that grace is God's generous decision to provide salvation for any person by taking all of the initiative in providing atonement, in freely offering the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit, and in uniting the believer to Christ through the Holy Spirit by faith.
We deny that grace negates the necessity of a free response of faith or that it cannot be resisted. We deny that the response of faith is in any way a meritorious work that earns salvation.
Ezra 9:8; Proverbs 3:34; Zechariah 12:10; Matthew 19:16-30, 23:37; Luke 10:1-12; Acts 15:11; 20:24; Romans 3:24, 27-28; 5:6, 8, 15-21; Galatians 1:6; 2:21; 5; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 3:2-9; Colossians 2:13-17; Hebrews 4:16; 9:28; 1 John 4:19
We deny that grace negates the necessity of a free response of faith or that it cannot be resisted. We deny that the response of faith is in any way a meritorious work that earns salvation.
Ezra 9:8; Proverbs 3:34; Zechariah 12:10; Matthew 19:16-30, 23:37; Luke 10:1-12; Acts 15:11; 20:24; Romans 3:24, 27-28; 5:6, 8, 15-21; Galatians 1:6; 2:21; 5; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 3:2-9; Colossians 2:13-17; Hebrews 4:16; 9:28; 1 John 4:19
The Regeneration of the Sinner
We affirm that any person who responds to the Gospel with repentance and faith is born again through the power of the Holy Spirit. He is a new creation in Christ and enters, at the moment he believes, into eternal life.
We deny that any person is regenerated prior to or apart from hearing and responding to the Gospel.
Luke 15:24; John 3:3; 7:37-39; 10:10; 16:7-14; Acts 2:37-39; Romans 6:4-11; 10:14; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20; 6:15; Colossians 2:13; 1 Peter 3:18
We deny that any person is regenerated prior to or apart from hearing and responding to the Gospel.
Luke 15:24; John 3:3; 7:37-39; 10:10; 16:7-14; Acts 2:37-39; Romans 6:4-11; 10:14; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20; 6:15; Colossians 2:13; 1 Peter 3:18
The Election to Salvation
We affirm that, in reference to salvation, election speaks of God's eternal, gracious, and certain "plan of salvation" that would take place and be fulfilled "in Christ" where people would become saved once they (1) repent (change their mind about sin, and agree that Jesus is God, and the only way to heaven) and (2) trust (believe) in Christ alone for the free gift of eternal life (faith alone in Christ alone).
We deny that election means that, from eternity, God predestined certain people for salvation and others for condemnation. Predestination pertains to what will take place in the life of a person once they place their faith (trust) in Christ alone for salvation = they will be conformed to the image of Christ, eternally saved, and forgiven / cleansed from all sin (past, present, and future).
Genesis 1:26-28; 12:1-3; Exodus 19:6; Jeremiah 31:31-33; Matthew 24:31; 25:34; John 6:70; 15:16; Romans 8:29-30, 33;9:6-8; 11:7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; Ephesians 1:4-6; 2:11-22; 3:1-11; 4:4-13; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 1 Peter 1:1-2; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 7:9-10
We deny that election means that, from eternity, God predestined certain people for salvation and others for condemnation. Predestination pertains to what will take place in the life of a person once they place their faith (trust) in Christ alone for salvation = they will be conformed to the image of Christ, eternally saved, and forgiven / cleansed from all sin (past, present, and future).
Genesis 1:26-28; 12:1-3; Exodus 19:6; Jeremiah 31:31-33; Matthew 24:31; 25:34; John 6:70; 15:16; Romans 8:29-30, 33;9:6-8; 11:7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; Ephesians 1:4-6; 2:11-22; 3:1-11; 4:4-13; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 1 Peter 1:1-2; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 7:9-10
The Sovereignty of God
We affirm God's eternal knowledge of and sovereignty over every person's salvation or condemnation.
We deny that God's sovereignty and knowledge require Him to unilaterally cause a person's acceptance or rejection of faith in Christ with no free-will choice in the matter.
Genesis 1:1; 6:5-8; 18:16-33; 22; 2 Samuel 24:13-14; 1 Chronicles 29:10-20; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Joel 2:32; Psalm 23; 51:4; 139:1-6; Proverbs 15:3; John 6:44; Romans 11:3; Titus 3:3-7; James 1:13-15; Hebrews 11:6, 12:28; 1 Peter 1:17
We deny that God's sovereignty and knowledge require Him to unilaterally cause a person's acceptance or rejection of faith in Christ with no free-will choice in the matter.
Genesis 1:1; 6:5-8; 18:16-33; 22; 2 Samuel 24:13-14; 1 Chronicles 29:10-20; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Joel 2:32; Psalm 23; 51:4; 139:1-6; Proverbs 15:3; John 6:44; Romans 11:3; Titus 3:3-7; James 1:13-15; Hebrews 11:6, 12:28; 1 Peter 1:17
The Free Will of Humans
We affirm that God, as an expression of His sovereignty, endows each person with actual free will (the ability to choose between two options), which must be exercised in accepting or rejecting God's gracious call to salvation by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel.
We deny that the decision of faith is an act of God rather than a response of the person. We deny that there is an "effectual call" for certain people that is different from a "general call" to any person who hears and understands the Gospel.
Genesis 1:26-28; Numbers 21:8-9; Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 8:1-22; 2 Samuel 24:13-14; Esther 3:12-14; Matthew 7:13-14; 11:20-24; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 9:23-24; 13:34; 15:17-20; Romans 10:9-10; Titus 2:12; Revelation 22:17
We deny that the decision of faith is an act of God rather than a response of the person. We deny that there is an "effectual call" for certain people that is different from a "general call" to any person who hears and understands the Gospel.
Genesis 1:26-28; Numbers 21:8-9; Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 8:1-22; 2 Samuel 24:13-14; Esther 3:12-14; Matthew 7:13-14; 11:20-24; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 9:23-24; 13:34; 15:17-20; Romans 10:9-10; Titus 2:12; Revelation 22:17
The Eternal Security of the Believer
We affirm that when a person responds in faith to the Gospel, God promises to complete the process of salvation in the believer into eternity. This process begins with justification, whereby the sinner is immediately acquitted of all sin and granted peace with God; continues in sanctification, whereby the saved are progressively conformed to the image of Christ by the indwelling Holy Spirit; and concludes in glorification, whereby the saint enjoys life with Christ in heaven forever.
We deny that this Holy Spirit-sealed relationship can ever be broken. We deny even the possibility of apostasy.
John 10:28-29; 14:1-4; 16:12-14; Philippians 1:6; Romans 3:21-26; 8:29,30; 35-39; 12:1-3; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Ephesians 1:13-14; Philippians 3:12; Colossians 1:21-22; 1 John 2:19; 3:2; 5:13-15; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 13:5; James 1:12; Jude 24-25
We deny that this Holy Spirit-sealed relationship can ever be broken. We deny even the possibility of apostasy.
John 10:28-29; 14:1-4; 16:12-14; Philippians 1:6; Romans 3:21-26; 8:29,30; 35-39; 12:1-3; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Ephesians 1:13-14; Philippians 3:12; Colossians 1:21-22; 1 John 2:19; 3:2; 5:13-15; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 13:5; James 1:12; Jude 24-25
The Great Commission
We affirm that the Lord Jesus Christ commissioned His church to preach the good news of salvation to all people to the ends of the earth. We affirm that the proclamation of the Gospel is God's means of bringing any person to salvation.
We deny that salvation is possible outside of a faith response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 51:13; Proverbs 11:30; Isaiah 52:7; Matthew 28:19-20; John 14:6; Acts 1:8; 4:12; 10:42-43; Romans 1:16, 10:13-15; 1 Corinthians 1:17-21; Ephesians 3:7-9; 6:19-20; Philippians 1:12-14; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Timothy 2:5; 2 Timothy 4:1-5
We deny that salvation is possible outside of a faith response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 51:13; Proverbs 11:30; Isaiah 52:7; Matthew 28:19-20; John 14:6; Acts 1:8; 4:12; 10:42-43; Romans 1:16, 10:13-15; 1 Corinthians 1:17-21; Ephesians 3:7-9; 6:19-20; Philippians 1:12-14; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Timothy 2:5; 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Adapted from bpnews.net
