I consider the truths below to be fundamental to understanding our relationship to the One True & Living God. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are considered to be essential doctrines, total acceptance of and belief in which are required of all Christ-followers without exception. Links to any of my articles discussing or relevant to them are provided throughout the list.
ONE TRUE GOD*
The One True God is the eternally self-existent “I AM,” the Creator of the universe. He has further revealed Himself as a triune Being, manifested as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.(†)(†)
SCRIPTURES INSPIRED*
All Scripture is verbally inspired by God as written in the original languages and is the inerrant revelation of God to man. The Protestant Bible is the sole, complete, and infallible authority for faith and conduct.(†)(†)
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST*
The Lord Jesus is 100% divine (Son of God), while simultaneously being 100% human (Son of Man). As God Incarnate, He is the express image of the Living God in human form. After his virgin birth to a 100% human mother, He lived a perfectly sinless life and became the perfect sacrifice for the past, present, and future sins of all mankind through His death on the cross. Three days after His burial, Jesus was resurrected from the dead (†)(†)(†), appeared in His resurrected form before many witnesses, and ascended to heaven. He lives eternally and now makes intercession for us at the right hand of God the Father.
ORIGINAL SIN & THE DEPRAVITY OF MAN*
Man was created good and upright in the image and likeness of God. The first man, Adam, rebelled against God and, thus, sin and death entered into the world. Adam’s rebellion incurred not only physical death for man, but also spiritual death, which is eternal separation from God. Man’s propensity to sin because of his sinful nature necessitates both salvation from the power of sin and a Savior to provide that salvation.
SALVATION OF MAN*
Man’s only hope of redemption and salvation from sin is through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. His blood is completely sufficient to deliver every person from the power and penalty of sin. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Salvation can never be earned or deserved by the good and/or religious works of man.
THE CHURCH & ITS MISSION*
The Church is the Body of Christ and is comprised of all born-from-above Christ-followers. God inhabits the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, both individually and corporately. Since God’s purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshiped by man, and to build a body of believers in the image of His Son, the Church’s responsibility is to:
- Evangelize the world;
- Grow in Christ-likeness by the grace of God and the working of the Holy Spirit.
- Demonstrate the love of God, allowing that love to permeate and control its relationships with others, both within and outside the Church.
- Be a corporate body in which God may be worshipped and glorified, and;
- Train and equip the saints, both supernaturally and in the natural, for the work of service.
- Welcome the presence of God within corporate worship services along with whatever miraculous signs He decides to manifest there.
BAPTISM IN WATER
Baptism by immersion in water is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent of their sins and believe in Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized.
HOLY COMMUNION*
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of bread and a cup of the fruit of the vine, is a memorial of Jesus’ suffering and death and a celebration of His resurrection to be enjoyed by all believers until He comes again.
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is almost always evidenced by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives utterance. This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth though there are examples of this baptism occurring at the moment of salvation found in both the Scriptures and church history. With the baptism of the Holy Spirit comes the enduing of power for life and service and the bestowing of spiritual gifts.
EVER-INCREASING FAITH
Faith of the heart is based on the hearing (spiritual understanding) of God’s Word. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Christians are saved by grace through faith, justified by grace through faith, shall live by grace through faith, and overcome the world by grace through faith.
DIVINE HEALING
Divine healing is provided for in both Old and New Testaments and is integral to the Gospel of Christ.
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST & THE FINAL JUDGMENT*
As the climax to God’s dealings with man, Jesus is coming again. At that time, there will be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. The wicked will be judged and the righteous will be ushered into the everlasting Kingdom of God.
