2 8 9 Design Biblical Beliefs
GOD
There is one true God, eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3, 4; II Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 1:4-6)
THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s Word inspired, infallible, and inerrant in the original manuscripts, and is our final authority. (Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:18; II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20, 21)
SALVATION
God, out of love for the human race, sent the Lord Jesus Christ into the world to save sinners. Jesus Christ paid the full penalty for man’s sin when He died on the cross. Any person who believes in Jesus Christ alone as his only hope of eternal life, while not trusting in anything else, receives the gift of eternal life which once granted can never be lost. A commitment to obey, sorrow for sin, turning from one’s sin, baptism, submission to the headship of Christ or any other act of obedience may and should follow saving faith. Yet none of these things should be added to, or be considered a part of, the sole condition for receiving eternal life which is faith alone in Christ alone. (John 3:16-18; 5:24; 6:47; 10:27-30; Romans 3:21-25; 4:5; 8:38, 39; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:1-10; I Timothy 1:15; Titus 3:3-7; Revelation 22:17)
ASSURANCE
Assurance of eternal life is based only on the promise God makes in His Word, that everyone who has believed in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life has it and can never lose it. Good works are not the measurement of one’s assurance. (John 5:24; I John 5:9-13 Titus 3:8)
DISCIPLESHIP
The ultimate goal of the Holy Spirit’s work in the believer’s life is to produce spiritual maturity reflected in consistent Christ-like behavior and attitudes which God will reward in His eternal kingdom. (Matthew 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 3:14: Colossians 3:24; Galatians 5:22-25; Luke 14:25-33; Colossians 1:23-29)
THE CHURCH
All believers in the present age are members of the body of Christ, the universal church, united to Christ and to one another by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Believers are to gather together in local churches to devote themselves to Biblical teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer. The purpose of the church is to develop dedicated disciples. (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:42; I Corinthians 1:2; 11:2, 17-34; 12:12-14; 14:34-38; Hebrews 10:23-25)