Personal Statement of Faith Silvia Mendez Mid America Christian University THEO 2303 Fall 2013

Introduction Salvation is Personal, in my opinion. God is real. Jesus lived as a man, and is alive in those who believe. We must accept Jesus as Lord and Savior in order to have everlasting life. Our sins are forgiven through our Faith in Jesus and His sacrifice. As members in the body of Christ, we must spread the Gospel and not be ashamed. We must study the Word and understand that we must suffer in order to gain what is promised to the Saints. We must bear fruit and fellowship with one another.

The God of the Bible CreatorRedeemerJudgeFather

Author of Salvation Yahweh, Abba, Adonai

Holy Trinity “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7 The Father The Word The Holy Spirit

“ ” For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 God had chosen the time, place, setting for Jesus’s birth, Knowing in advance all that Jesus would do in obedience to Him while He lived & lives because He conquered death

Jesus Christ Jesus is God in the flesh Jesus is the Lord He is the Beloved son of God He will come to judge the world He is our friend Atonement Propitiation & Justification Redemption

Holy Spirit Comforter “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 1 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” –John 14:15-17

Humanity When Adam and Eve were turned away from the Garden of Eden as a result of their disobedience/sin, we were all turned away along with them, having been born outside the garden and all. We can still access God through Jesus, for He is the Way to the Father. We are faced with suffering in this world: Demonic/ the battles of the invisible realm Lack of self-control The evil intent of others Natural Occurrences Suffering is a chance to prove oneself before God learning obedience, humility, patience, experience, and hope

Sin PrimordialDevilish Systemic Individualized

Salvation Salvation comes from the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. We don’t need anything else to be washed away from all of our sins. We don’t need to torment ourselves emotionally to compensate for our mistakes We don’t need to make animal sacrifices for temporary covering of sins We don’t need to feel guilty or ashamed We no longer need to self-condemn ourselves It isn’t by our own works that we are saved

The Beatitudes Blessed are the poor in spirit For theirs is the kingdom of heaven Blessed are those who mourn For they shall be comforted Blessed are the meek For they shall inherit the earth Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness For they shall be filled Blessed are the merciful For they shall obtain mercy Blessed are the pure in heart For they shall see God Blessed are the peacemakers For they shall be called sons of God Blessed are those who are persecuted for Righteousness’ sake For theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Church What it is not: The Church isn’t the buildings that we erect. It is not the synagogues of Old that were transformed into churches that we know today It isn’t the architecture, or paintings, denomination, or statues What it is: 1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. Romans 12:5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Conclusion God is the Alpha and Omega We who belong to Christ cannot be snatched from Him We are here to spread the Good News and to live Holy We are not to repay evil for evil Ultimate punishment if for God alone Ultimately, Judging is God’s prerogative, not ours Jesus is the Truth, the Way, and the Light God is Faithful All that is Written is true.

References Deffinbaugh, B. L. (2004, May 18). The Sin Offering (Leviticus 4:1-5:13; 6:24-30). Retrieved from Driscoll, M. (2009, February. 01). 15 kinds of suffering. Retrieved from Got Questions Ministries. (n.d.). Why did God require animal sacrifices in the Old Testament? Retrieved from Loughran, D. B. (1997, December). Human Suffering. Reading: Revelation 21. Retrieved from Luginbill, R. D. (n.d.). Categories of Suffering. Peter’s Epistles #4. Retrieved from New Life Community Church. (n.d.). Eight explanations for Suffering found in the Bible. Retrieved from found-in-the-bible/ found-in-the-bible/ Stafford, G. W. (2012). Theology for Disciples. Second edition. Anderson, IN: Warren Press