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What
We Believe
We believe
that the Bible, both the Old Testament and the New Testament, is the
inspired Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and life. We
believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God sent to redeem the world; we
love and trust Him as the one who saves us from our sin; and with
repentance and joy we embrace Him as Lord of our life.
God
We believe that God
is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in
three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These
three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2
Jesus Christ
We
believe that Jesus Christ is both God and human. He was conceived by
the Holy Spirit and born by a virgin.
We believe that
Jesus Christ is the Son of God sent to redeem the world; we love and
trust Him as the one who saves us from our sin; and with repentance and
joy we embrace Him as Lord of our life. Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and
offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by
dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate
His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will
return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of
Lords.
Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1
Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the
Holy Spirit makes all of us aware God's presence. He delivers God's
free gift of grace and lives in us. The Holy Spirit reveals truth and
causes us to understand the word of God.
We believe God gives
new life through Jesus Christ and empowers us to live this life by the
activity of the Holy Spirit. In a world where people often confront
pain, suffering, and problems, God wants us to show His world what this
new life is.
2 Corinthians
3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16;
Ephesians 1:13; Galations 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
The Bible
We believe that the
Bible, both the Old Testament and the New Testament, is the
inspired Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and life. We believe that the
Bible is the foundation of our faith. The Bible is the infallible
inspired Word of God, without errors or mistakes, and the only rule for
faith and our daily living.
We
believe the Bible was written by human authors, under the supernatural
guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for
Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the
truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2
Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6
Human Beings
We believe that
people are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in
character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although
every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by
an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude
separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27;
Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
Salvation
We believe that God
made this world good. But human beings wanted to live without God and
turned their backs on Him and His plan for their lives.
We believe that all
men are sinners and cannot be restored to fellowship with God by any
power of their own.
We believe that God
will accept all who repent of their sins and believe that Jesus Christ
is the only basis of salvation. "For God so loved the world that he gave
his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish,
but have eternal life." -- John 3:16
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26
Eternal Security
We believe that
because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true
believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been
genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" it. Salvation is maintained by the
grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is
the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29; 2
Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
Eternity
We believe that
people were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally
separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and
salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally
in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of
eternal existence.
John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15
The Church
We believe that God
called the church to be his hands and heart in our neighborhoods and in
our world.
We believe that the
mission of the church is to bring the word of God to people who are
apart from Him so that they might be saved. The Christian church is
universal and acknowledges Jesus Christ at its head.
We belong to God's
family only because of God's Son, Jesus Christ. Christianity is not
something we do but something Jesus did for us. He
made us God's children.
Matthew 16:18;
Matthew 28:28-30
What is our only
comfort in life and death?
We believe that
we are not our own, but belong -- body and soul, in life and in death --
to our faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all our sins
with His precious blood, and has set us free from the tyranny of the
devil. He also watches over us in such a way that not a hair can fall
from our head without the will of our Father in heaven: in fact, all
things must work together for our salvation. Because we belong to Him,
Christ, by His Holy Spirit, assures us of eternal life and makes us
wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for Him.
Heidelberg
Catechism, Q & A 1
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