--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOD THE FATHER
God the Father is the divine sovereign creator and ruler of the universe. God is love and has perfect righteous character. He is the object and focus of our worship and the Being to whom His children pray. He sent Jesus Christ to the earth and it was through the Father's power that Jesus lived a sinless life and gave Himself as a sacrifice to save mankind. The Father's purpose is for His creation to be reconciled to Him and to bring many sons to glory. The Father accomplishes His will by means of the Holy Spirit by which He calls, begets, and through the process of conversion, transforms His begotten children into His image and into His glory by means of a resurrection. He is directly involved in the life of each individual He calls, and imparts to them His holy character as they yield to Him.
Psalm 110:1; Daniel 7:9-14; Matthew 11:27; John 1:1-2; 5:17, 19-20, 22-23, 30, 36- 37, 43; 6:44; 8:27-29, 38; 10:18, 29; 12:50; 14:8-9, 28; 16:27; 17:5, 20-21; I Corinthians 15:24-28; Ephesians 3:14-15; 4:4-6; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2:3-9; Revelation 21:22-23; 22:1, 3.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus, The Christ was the Eternal Life who was with God the Father, and was designated by the Father to be the One who communicated God’s will to mankind as the Word. All things were created through Him and for Him. He was the prophesied Messiah, and is now the savior of mankind. Before His human birth, He revealed Himself to the Patriarchs as The Eternal (YHWH) and by a variety of other names. He divested Himself of the majesty and glory of His eternal existence to become human by means of birth to the virgin Mary. Though tempted in all points like other men, He lived a totally sinless life, and gave Himself to be crucified as the perfect atonement for mankind’s transgressions of God’s laws. Additionally, he came to the earth to reveal the Father. After three days and three nights in the grave (72 hours) He was resurrected as a divine spirit being and ascended to the Father’s throne in heaven, where He was restored to the glory that He formerly shared with the Father, and exalted with even greater authority and powers to lead the New Testament church. He is now seated at the right hand of The Majesty On High as the Blessed and Only Potentate and Head over all things to the church. He is the personal Apostle and High Priest, Shepherd and Bishop, Captain of Salvation, Advocate, Mediator and Intercessor before the Father for every individual willing to yield to His authority, and shall return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, sharing His rule with His resurrected first fruits.
John 1:1-3, 10,14, 29-36; 8:53-58; I Corinthians 10:1-4; Colossians 1:13-20; John 3:16; Romans 5:8-9; Acts 2:33-35; John 15:26; 16:7; Ephesians 4:7-8; I John 2:1-2; Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:9-14; 4:14-16; 9:11-15; Matthew 12:40; Matthew 11:27, John 17:25-26, Luke 10:22, Ephesians 1:19-23; Acts 2:36; John 17:1-5; Philippians 2:5-7; Matthew 28:18; I Timothy 6:15; Hebrews 3:1; I Peter 2:25; I Timothy 2:5; I Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 5:9-10; 11:15; 19:11-16
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the power of God, the spiritual extension of God through which He carries out His will. Through it God impregnates the minds of the repentant, thereby empowering them to comprehend spiritual matters, culminating in conversion. It leads the repentant into all truth; convicts them of sin and righteousness; and imparts faith, the love of God, power to overcome sin and other gifts essential to do His will. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the seal and down payment of our inheritance into the family of God.
Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30; Isaiah 11:2; 32:15; 40:13; Ezekiel 39:29; Joel 2:28-29; John 7:37-39; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; 8:15-17; Romans 8:9-14; John 14:16-17, 26; I Corinthians 2:9-16; 12:4-11; II Timothy 1:6-7; II Peter 1:2-4; Ephesians 1:13-14.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BIBLE
The written Word of God, the Holy Bible is alive and, constitutes the revelation of God to man, and is profitable for man's complete spiritual knowledge, understanding and growth to salvation. Holy men of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit through various means, recorded the truth revealed to them. Transmitted fundamentally free of error, God's Word is true and pure and constitutes the foundation of all knowledge. The whole canon of Scripture, completed with the book of Revelation, includes all the non-apocryphal books of the combined Old and New Testaments. Its basic purpose is to reveal God, His plan and the process of salvation to man. By gathering all pertinent scriptures, humbly approaching God in prayer and seeking inspiration through the Holy Spirit, the intent and meaning of God's teaching can be understood by those He has called and chosen.
Hebrews 4:12, II Timothy 3:14-17; II Peter 1:19-21; Hebrews 1:1-2; John 17:17; Proverbs 30:5-6; Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; Isaiah 8:16; Luke 24:44-45; Revelation 22:18-19; II Peter 1:20; Isaiah 28:9-11; I Thessalonians 5:21; Psalm 119:33-40, 97-99, 172.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANGELS
Long before the creation of man and the earth, God created powerful spirit beings to act as His agents and messengers. Created in many forms for varying functions, God also gave them free moral agency. Some, led by the archangel, who became Satan, the Adversary, chose to rebel against God, and transformed themselves into demons. Only two other angels are named in the Bible: Michael and Gabriel. The remaining faithful angels now function as ministering spirits to serve God by working with mankind.
Job 38:7; Psalm 91:11-12; Ezekiel 1:5-14; 28:14-17; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ephesians 6:12; Daniel 10:13; Revelation 12:7; Luke 1:19; Hebrews 1:7, 14.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SATAN AND DEMONS
Satan the devil was originally created an archangel and given great powers, wisdom and beauty. His arrogance deluded him to think he could elevate himself into an equal position with God. By his persuasive powers he was able to convince one-third of the angels to support his rebellion. All that followed were cast down to the earth in defeat where they remain restrained to this day, with the designation of fallen angels or demons. As the god of this world and man's mortal enemy, Satan now uses his power and influence to deceive all of mankind. He and his demons, though their fate is sealed, are doing all they can to frustrate God's purpose for man.
Ezekiel 28:14-17; Isaiah 14:12-15; Jude 6; II Peter 2:4; II Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:4, 9; Luke 22:31; Ephesians 6:12; Jude 13; Revelation 20:10.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANKIND
Mortal humans, created male and female in God's image, are physical beings whose life is in the blood. However, God imparted a spirit essence to humans, empowering man with intellect and setting him far above the animals. This human spirit enables God to join His Holy Spirit with man's so he might become a child of God. When a man dies, his conscious thoughts cease, his spirit returns to God who gave it and his body returns to dust. God's purpose for mankind is that they enter the Family of God by means of begettal by His Holy Spirit and later be born again in a resurrection from the dead to immortality and glory.
Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7, 17; 3:19; Psalm 146:3-4; Ecclesiastes 3:19; Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Job 32:8; Zechariah 12:1; I Corinthians 2:11; Hebrews 12:28; I Timothy 6:15-16; Romans 8:29; I Corinthians 15:44, 50-54.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOSPEL
The gospel is the message preached by Jesus Christ which He delivered to His appointed apostles to take to the world. It is the good news about God's coming Kingdom, the establishment of His government on earth, and how mankind can enter that Kingdom. The focus of this message is about God's purpose and plan to reproduce Himself. Jesus Christ, John the Baptist and the apostles generally called it the "gospel of the Kingdom of God," but biblical writers use over a dozen other titles to describe it. Ultimately, it is the complete message of the entire Old and New Testaments, containing the message of what God the Father and His Son have done, are doing and will do to accomplish Their purpose. It contains detailed information on the King, subjects, laws and territory of the Kingdom of God and how mankind can become part of it.
Matthew 3:2; 24:14; Mark 1:14; Acts 28:31; Romans 1:1, 16; 2:16; 15:16; Ephesians 1:13; 6:15; Revelation 14:6.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KINGDOM OF GOD
The Kingdom of God is the creating and ruling Family of God soon to administer the government of God on earth. Though the Kingdom of God does not now rule the earth, those who have God's Spirit are under its rule in their lives. When Jesus Christ returns, He will establish its rule on earth, and the saints, resurrected as spirit kings and priests, will reign with Him for a thousand years. Following the second death and the Lake of Fire, the Kingdom will be completely fulfilled when God the Father descends from heaven to rule the New Heaven and New Earth for all eternity from New Jerusalem.
Daniel 2:44; Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:1-10; Micah 4:1-4; Mark 4:11; John 3:3-7; I Corinthians 15:50-54; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 11:13-16; Matthew 25:31; 20:21; Revelation 2:26; 5:10; 19:16; 20:4-6, 12-15; 21:1-4, 7.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SALVATION
Salvation, a gift freely given from God the Father, is the means by which a person is redeemed from the penalty of sin and given eternal life. The process of salvation begins with God's calling, opening the mind to spiritual truth. This leads to reconciliation with God through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, then to repentance toward God, baptism, receipt of the Holy Spirit, sanctification unto holiness through a life of overcoming, and rebirth and glorification as a member of the Family of God. Though salvation cannot be earned through works of the law, obedience to the Ten Commandments is nonetheless required as a condition to receive grace which makes salvation possible. Everyone, at the time God chooses, will have the opportunity for salvation.
Ephesians 2:4-10; John 6:44-45; Acts 20:21; Romans 5:8-11; 6:1-6, 15-18; Ephesians 1:13-14; II Thessalonians 2:13-14; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Romans 8:29-30; II Corinthians 3:18; I John 3:1-2; I Corinthians 15:35, 42-44; Romans 2:12-13; James 1:25; Matthew 19:17; John 14:15; I Corinthians 15:21-23, 50-54; Revelation 20:4-15.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAWS OF GOD
The laws of God are written expressions of the character, mind and will of God for His people. They appear in both Old and New Testaments, teaching how to love and worship God, love fellow man and prepare for eternal life in the Family of God. They cover both physical actions and spiritual motivations. The Ten Commandments were given directly by God Himself, codified by Moses and magnified and ratified by Jesus Christ. A perfect spiritual law, they are always in force whether or not a person is aware of them. Obedience to them brings blessings; disobedience brings curses. To transgress them is to be guilty of sin which incurs the death penalty. Keeping God's law, thus showing one's submission to the government of God, is a condition for receiving the gift of eternal life.
Psalm 19:7-11; Romans 7:7-12, 14; Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 119:172; John 15:14; I John 2:2-3; 5:2-3; Matthew 22:36-40; Isaiah 42:21; Matthew 5:17-32; 19:17; Deuteronomy 30:15-20; 28:1-15; I John 3:4; Revelation 22:14.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIN
Sin is the transgression of God's law. It has a broad application in that sin can be defined as all unrighteousness, missing the mark or falling short of the character of God. Whatever is not of faith is sin, and when a person knows to do good but does not do it, it is sin. The penalty for sin is death. Unpardonable sin is the deliberate, willful, and continued transgression of the commandments of God, committed when the power of the holy spirit is purposely despised. This sin is unpardonable because the person no longer retains the humility necessary for repentance. All other sins can be forgiven by God's mercy through the blood of Jesus Christ.
I John 3:4; 5:17; Ephesians 2:1; Romans 14:23; James 4:17; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:14; Galatians 5:19-21; Matthew 12:31; Hebrews 10:26-29; I John 1:7- 9: Romans 8:1-3.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GRACE
Grace is the love of God and mercy of God in action. It includes all of God’s gifts to men. It is present, not just in the forgiveness of sin, but through the entire process of salvation. Grace gives to the called whatever is necessary to enable God's purpose for them to succeed.
Genesis 6:8; Exodus 33:12-17; Romans 3:24; 4:4, 16; 5:2, 15; 11:5-6; 12:3, 6; Hebrews 4:16; 13:9; I Peter 4:10; II Peter 1:2; 3:18; I Corinthians 12:4-11.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FAITH
Faith is the active belief in the existence of God and the dynamic trust in His Word. God commands us to live by faith. As the foundation of the process, it is essential for salvation. Without faith it is impossible to please God because, as man's foundational response to God, faith leads to obedience and the completion of God's purpose. Because of faith in Christ's blood, we are forgiven and righteousness is imputed to us. Both a gift of God and a fruit of His Spirit, faith is perfected through the good works God has ordained.
Romans 1:17; Hebrews 10:37-39; I Peter 1:5, 9; Hebrews 11:1-6; Ephesians 2:4-10; Romans 4:5, 9-13, 20-22; 5:8-11; I Corinthians 12:4, 9; Romans 12:3; Galatians 5:22; James 2:14-26; II Corinthians 5:7.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPENTANCE
Repentance is deep remorse over one's spiritual condition combined with resolve to change what one is and does. The goodness of God leads one to repentance, which begins when God enables one to see himself in comparison to Him. Only then can one acknowledge that he is a sinner in need of forgiveness. Repentance is the first step in reconciliation with God. It moves one to confess his sin, and with deep desire, conform his life to God's will as revealed in the Holy Bible. Repentance occurs, not just once, but continuously deepens as we grow in the knowledge of God.
Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 9:13; II Corinthians 7:9-11; Romans 2:4; II Timothy 2:25; Acts 20:21; Luke 13:3, 5; Psalm 51; Mark 1:15; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:37-38; 3:19;11:18.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WATER BAPTISM
Water baptism is by immersion after genuine repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. It symbolizes the death and burial of a sinner into the death and burial of Jesus Christ. Rising out of the watery grave symbolizes that we should walk in newness of life because we shall be the likeness of His resurrection. Baptism symbolizes purification and is a requirement that precedes the receipt of the Holy Spirit. When one rises from his watery grave, he is to be a new person, led by God's Spirit and conducting his life according to God's will.
Matthew 3:13-16; 28:19-20; Acts 2:38; 8:12-17; Romans 6:1-7; Colossians 2:12.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAYING ON OF HANDS
One of the most ancient of biblical rituals, laying on of hands signifies sanctification or setting apart. It is performed by ordained elders of the church during prayer for the receipt of the Holy Spirit following baptism, for anointing of the sick, for ordination into an office, for marriage, and for the blessing of little children.
Genesis 48:12-14; Matthew 19:13-15; Acts 6:5-6; 8:15-17; 13:3; 19:5-6; I Timothy 4:14; Hebrews 6:2; James 5:14-15.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESURRECTIONS
Death is a reality all must eventually face, but the hope of all Christians and the promise of the Father is the resurrection from the dead. The Bible plainly identifies two types of resurrections: special acts of mercy by God in which He raised people back to physical life, and the spiritual resurrections to eternal life. The best known resurrection is Jesus Christ's triumph over death. When He returns, He will resurrect the saints to eternal life. After the thousand years of His reign, the rest of the dead will receive a resurrection to physical life for a temporary period of judgment, after which most will be granted eternal life.
Hebrews 9:27; Job 14:14-15; 19:25-26; Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 27:52-53; Mark 5:35- 42; Acts 9:40-41; 20:7-12; John 5:28-29; 11:20-24; I Corinthians 15:3-8, 20-23, 51-52; I Thessalonians 4:13-17; Revelation 20:4-6; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Revelation 20:11-15; II Peter 3:10-12.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETERNAL JUDGMENT
An individual's judgment occurs throughout the time of his opportunity for salvation. Beginning with God opening the individual's mind to understand His way of life, the judgment extends to the end of his life, and its consequences are eternal. God looks upon the heart, mercifully judging a person based on his attitude, his knowledge of God and His way, his application of what he understands, and his personal relationship with the Father and Son. By this judgment, God determines who will be in His Family. The vast majority of mankind will receive the gift of eternal life, and only the few who deliberately and willfully reject God's salvation will not. The judgments are broken into three broad periods: from Adam to Christ's return, the thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ, and a period following the Millennium when all who have not blasphemed God's Spirit in their earlier existence will be resurrected to physical life to have an opportunity for salvation.
Hebrews 6:2; I Samuel 16:7; Hebrews 9:27; 10:26-27; I Peter 4:17; Romans 2:16; Acts 10:42; John 5:26-30; Romans 14:10-12; II Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 11:20-24; 12:41-42; Ezekiel 37:12-14; Revelation 20:5-6, 11-14.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONVERSION
God intends conversion to be a growth process with the aim or goal to become perfect as Christ is perfect. The process includes yielding to God, and being led by His Spirit to eradicate materialism, self-centeredness, bad character traits and bad attitudes. To replace them, God desires growth in the fruits of the Spirit, especially in love toward God and love of the brethren. This doctrine comprises the bulk of the behavioral instruction, correction, exhortation, and admonition of the Bible.
Hebrews 6:1; 5:10-12; Matthew 5:48; Hebrews 2:10; 5:9; 13:21; James 1:4; II Corinthians 13:9; I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18; Ephesians 4:7-15.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SABBATH
The Sabbath is a regularly recurring holy day, a perpetual covenant observed from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. Keeping it is vital to a Christian's relationship with God. When He rested on the seventh day at creation, God set it apart, reaffirming it to Israel in the wilderness by giving it as the fourth of the Ten Commandments as an identifying sign between God and his people. Idolatry and Sabbath breaking were largely responsible for Israel's downfall. Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, clearly taught that the Sabbath is made for man. He and His apostles kept it, and it is nowhere abrogated either by command or example in the New Testament. The prophets show the Sabbath being kept after Christ's return.
Genesis 2:1-3; 26:1-5; Exodus 16:4-30; 20:8-11; 31:12-18; Leviticus 23:1-3; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Matthew 22:37-40; Ezekiel 20:12-16, 20, 24; Mark 2:27-28; Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2; 18:4, 11; Hebrews 4:4-10; Isaiah 58:13-14; 66:22-23; Ezekiel 45:17; 47:3-4, 12.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL HOLY DAYS AND FESTIVALS
Seven annual holy days, like the weekly Sabbath, were ordained by God and commanded to be observed as holy convocations by His people. Both His covenant people Israel and the New Testament Israel of God, the Church, observed them. Jesus and His apostles kept them, and they are prophesied to be kept after Christ's return. The holy days are Sabbaths but may fall on any day of the week. If one falls on the weekly Sabbath, the holy day takes precedence. Each festival has special meaning, depicting an important step in God's plan for man, and the teaching on that day centers on its meaning to God's purpose. The festivals and holy days are Passover, a festival but not a holy day; the seven Days of Unleavened Bread, with the first and last being holy days; Pentecost; Trumpets; Atonement; the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles, with the first being a holy day; and the Last Great Day.
Exodus 12:1-17; 23:14-17; Leviticus 23:4-44; Matthew 26:17-18; John 7:1-39; 13:1-17; Acts 2:1; 18:21; 20:16; I Corinthians 5:7-8; 16:8; Ezekiel 45:17-25; Zechariah 14:16-19.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVINE HEALING
Divine healing, based on His promise to heal, is an act of mercy from God. Though God Himself chooses the time of healing, His intervention on a person's behalf is dependent on certain conditions being met: (1) Trust in His promise and power to do what He has promised when He chooses to do it. (2) Faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, represented in the Passover observance by the broken bread, a symbol of His broken body, and the wine, a symbol of His shed blood. (3) Repentance, where possible, from sins that may be involved in causing the health problem. (4) Understanding that, because God loves us and knows all things, the healing will be granted in this life only if it is in the best interest of God's purpose. The great heroes of faith have died, but they will be healed in the resurrection and given immortal bodies that can never die.
Exodus 15:26; Psalm 103:2-3; Matthew 9:27-30; I Peter 2:24; I Corinthians 11:23-30; Matthew 8:16-17; Isaiah 53:4-5; Mark 16:15-18; James 5:14-16; Hebrews 9:27; 11:13-16.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TITHES AND OFFERINGS
The earth and all its resources are God's, but He graciously allows us to use them. For what He has given us, we have a financial obligation to Him, and through the system of tithes and offerings, that responsibility is satisfied. The Old Testament introduces it as an established and ongoing practice. Later, it was codified as part of God's law given to Israel in the wilderness, and administered by the Levites until the destruction of the Temple. In strongly addressing the Levites about their responsibilities, Jesus confirmed its practice. Through the apostle Paul, the New Testament Church confirmed that the ministry and the work of the church is to be financially supported by the individual members of the body. Giving tithes and offerings is an act of worship of God. Tithing is giving a percentage of one's income as set by God, and offerings are given as determined by the individual's evaluation of what he is able. The Church does not enforce or police tithing, but teaches the obligation the individual has to honor God with his substance and the firstfruits of all his increase.
Genesis 1:26-27; Psalms 24:1; 104:24; Deuteronomy 8:18; I Corinthians 10:25-28; Matthew 6:19-21; Genesis 14:18-20; Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:24; Deuteronomy 14:22-28; 16:16-17; Matthew 23:23; Luke 16:10-13; 21:1-4; II Corinthians 9:6-7; Hebrews 7:1-10; II Corinthians 3:3-7; Acts 5:1-5; 4:34-35; I Corinthians 9:1-14; Malachi 3:8-12; Proverbs 3:9-10.
Return to Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IDENTITY OF ISRAEL
God's unconditional promise to Abraham, confirmed by Jesus Christ, included both grace and race: spiritual salvation and eternal life by grace through Jesus Christ, and national greatness and prosperity to the descendants of Abraham. His descendants, the progeny of Jacob (Israel), have grown into great nations in these latter days. God promised David his throne would always exist, and Christ would occupy that throne when He returns. Since it must exist continuously on earth, the only extant throne that matches God's promise among all the modern nations resides in Great Britain. The twelve families of ancient Israel are today scattered in northwestern Europe, the state of Israel and the English-speaking nations of America and the British Commonwealth. Joseph and Judah have historically been the dominant tribes. Though knowledge of Israel's identity is not essential to salvation, it nonetheless provides a much clearer understanding of biblical prophecy. It in no way implies racial superiority, but on the contrary, imposes greater responsibility.
Genesis 12:1-3; 13:14-16; 17:2-8; 24:60; 25:29-34; 26:2-5, 24; Romans 4:13; Genesis 27:27-29; 35:9-13, 23-26; 48:1-22; 49:1-33; Deuteronomy 33:1-29; II Kings 17:18-24; II Samuel 7:8-16; Psalm 89:19-37; Jeremiah 33:14-26; I Chronicles 5:2; Deuteronomy 7:6-11; Luke 12:48; Romans 11:1-29.
Return to Index
