About God
God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God, sometimes referred to as the Holy Trinity. God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He has always been and will always be. (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Psalm 90:2; Revelation 22:13)
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. He came to earth in human form so that we would recognize him as the Son of God. He was born of the Virgin Mary. No one has ever seen God’s face except Jesus, but a lot of people have seen Jesus. Jesus lived a sinless human life and because all sins must be atoned for, he offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. After 40 more days, He ascended to into heaven and will return again 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; Titus 2:13; John 6:46; Acts 1:3)
About Man
Man was made in the image of God, formed to be like him in likeness. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Man has tremendous potential for good, but he is flawed with a tendency of disobedience toward God which is called “sin.” This attitude separates man from God. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2)
About Eternity
Man was created to exist forever in one of two places, either eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with him is eternal life. Both heaven and hell are places of eternal existence. (John 3:16; 1 John 2:25; 1 John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 25:31-46)
About Salvation
Salvation is a free gift from God. Man cannot gain entrance to heaven by good works. Only by proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can man be saved from sin’s penalty (eternal death). Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 1:12, 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)
About Eternal Security
God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ which means the believer is secure in salvation for eternity. Salvation is only possible by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. (John 10:29; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
About The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation and provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under the Holy Spirit’s control on a daily basis. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25)
About The Bible
The Bible is God’s word to everyone. It was written by human authors but 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 truth without error. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 12:6, 119:105,160; Proverbs 30:5)
About Baptism
Baptism by immersion symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and is your public declaration that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Baptism does not save you, but it shows the world that you have already been saved. And while baptism is not required for salvation, it is a biblical command and demonstrates your love and obedience to Christ. It’s also a display of witness that you are born again, a new person in Jesus Christ. (Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41)
About Communion
Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper, is an ordinance given to all believers by Jesus Christ to remember his sacrifice for us and to symbolize the new covenant (a new relationship with Jesus Christ when we are born again). The elements of bread and wine or juice are symbols of Christ’s broken body and shed blood. Communion is not a means of salvation. Rather, it is a testament of a believer’s faith in the atoning work of the cross. (Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19,20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)
Why does all this matter?
Where you spend eternity depends on what you understand and what you accept or deny. If you do not already know Jesus Christ or if you feel He is a myth from stories made up by men, you’ll want to know where you spend eternity after you die a physical death on earth. Everyone has two lives, one on earth and one in eternity.
Is there one thing that only God can do?
Only God can change someone’s heart, but it is our responsibility to fulfill Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV): “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
What can I do to help?
Your gifts help us fulfill that mission to ensure that others will also get to hear those words one day as spoken by Jesus Christ: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Matthew 25:23; NIV)
