December 18, 2016

As Christians, there are many things we believe. Word believe is found over 250 times in the Bible. Christians are often asked, “What do you believe?”

The Bible is the written word of God. 1 The Bible is the written word of God. We believe that the Bible is the written word of God, that God saw fit to inspire certain men by way of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21), that these inspired writings were circulated and collected by the early Christians (Colossians 4:16; 2 Peter 3:15-16), and that such writings were authoritative and will always be profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We are so blessed to have this collection of writings to show us the way to life. John 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”

Jesus is the one and only Son of God. 2 Jesus is the one and only Son of God. We believe that Jesus is the one and only divine Son of God (John 3:16), that He shares in the Father's eternal and divine nature (Philippians 2:6-8; Colossians 1:15-17; 2:9), and that He gave His life on the cross to pay the debt of sin that we all owe (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 2:9; 9:28; 1 Peter 2:21-24; 1 John 2:2; 3:16). Many claimed to be the Messiah, but the one sent by God was His one true Son. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

Salvation is by grace through faith. 3 Salvation is by grace through faith. We believe that salvation is a gift of God's amazing grace (Ephesians 2:4-10), bountifully offered to all mankind (1 Timothy 2:4; Titus 2:11; 2 Peter 3:9), and accepted through faith in Jesus Christ and according to His conditions, but not merited by any work of man (Romans 4:1-5; 11:6; Galatians 2:16-21; Titus 3:5-7). No one today can ever be good enough to deserve or merit salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, that no one should boast.”

Salvation occurs when one is baptized into Christ. 4 Salvation occurs when one is baptized into Christ. We believe that the actual point of salvation occurs when, having believed in Jesus, we allow God to do His work (not our work) of baptism upon us (Colossians 2:12). When we obey God's command to be immersed in water, He does many wonderful things: He forgives and washes away our sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16), He saves us (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21), He adds us to the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27), and He raises us to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 2:13). God does a wonderful thing when we by faith are immersed in the body of Christ. We are cleansed and made children of God. Mark 16:16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned.”

Christians receive help from God’s Holy Spirit. 5 Christians receive help from God’s Holy Spirit. We believe that every baptized believer is given the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39; 5:32; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19). The Spirit is a source of peace, hope, and joy (Romans 8:6; 14:17; 15:13), He helps in our prayers to the Father (Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 6:18), and He helps us as we strive to be more godly (Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 3:16-19). God wants us to live abundant lives according to His will. Ezekiel 36:27 “And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statues, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”

Those who walk in the light are continually cleansed. 6 Those who walk in the light are continually cleansed. While some may tragically choose to forsake the Lord and return to a rebellious life of sin (Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-31), we believe the vast majority of people who come into a saved relationship with the Lord will forever remain faithful (2 Timothy 1:12; Revelation 2:10), being continuously cleansed by the blood of Christ as they diligently walk in the light (1 John 1:7). Walking in the light does not mean sinless perfection; it is constant trusting in God. 2 Timothy 1:12 “I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”

God desires for His people to grow spiritually. 7 God desires for His people to grow spiritually. We believe in striving to grow spiritually, striving to overcome the bondage to sin and worldliness, striving to be less like the world around us and more and more like Jesus (Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 4:17-32; 2 Peter 1:3-11). 1 Peter 2:1 “Like newborn infants, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow up in respect to salvation.” Hebrews 6:1 “Therefore let us leave the elementary teaching about the Christ, and let us press on to maturity.”

God’s people should be generous givers. 8 God’s people should be generous givers. We believe in generous giving, not only to the church for its work, but also personally to good works and to those in need (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 6:38; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8-9). 2 Cor 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” We seek to minister through helping to meet both physical and spiritual needs.

Prayer works and is a great blessing. 9 Prayer works and is a great blessing. We believe in the power of diligent prayer (Matthew 7:7-8; Luke 11:1-13; 18:1-8; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Hebrews 4:14-16; James 5:16) and the peace that comes from trusting in God (Mark 4:35-41; Philippians 4:6-7). We believe that God is good, and that He answers our prayers. Mark 11:24 “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

When Christ returns all will be judged. 10 When Christ returns all will be judged. We believe that Christ will one day come again (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), and that all will stand before the Lord in judgment (Hebrews 9:27; Matthew 25:31-46). Those who are in Christ will enter into eternal life; those who are not will be cast into eternal punishment (Romans 8:1; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:1-4, 8). One day it’s really going to happen… Everyone who has ever lived will gather around the throne. John 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life.” One day it’s really going to happen! John 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

The best gift was PUT ON A TREE. In God, in His Son, in His word In salvation by grace through faith when baptized into Christ In the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit who helps us to grow In faithfully walking in the light In giving and in power of prayer In Christ coming and judgment The best gift ever received was not put under a tree. The best gift was PUT ON A TREE.