I. The Scriptures
The Holy Bible is a sacred text written by individuals inspired by God, revealing God's character and purpose to humanity. It's a priceless treasure of spiritual guidance, authored by God, with salvation as its ultimate goal and truth as its core message - without any hint of error. As a result, every part of Scripture is completely reliable and trustworthy. The Bible reveals God's standards for evaluating human actions and beliefs, making it the unifying force of Christianity and the ultimate benchmark for assessing all human behavior, doctrines, and religious perspectives. At its heart, Scripture testifies to Jesus Christ, who embodies God's revelation to humanity.
Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
II. God
There is only one God, an all-knowing, all-powerful, and personal Being who created, sustains, and governs the universe. He is perfectly holy and possesses infinite wisdom, understanding all things past, present, and future, including human decisions. As the ultimate authority, God deserves our deepest love, reverence, and obedience. Revealing Himself as one God in three distinct persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - He exists as a single, unified entity, sharing the same divine nature and essence.
A. God the Father
God, as Father, sovereignly guides the universe, His creatures, and human history with providential care, directing all things according to His gracious plans. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, and all-wise. While having a fatherly attitude towards humanity, God establishes a personal and intimate relationship with those who become His children through faith in Jesus Christ, demonstrating a deep and loving connection with believers.
Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11ff.; 20:1ff.; Leviticus 22:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Psalm 19:1-3; Isaiah 43:3,15; 64:8; Jeremiah 10:10; 17:13; Matthew 6:9ff.; 7:11; 23:9; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 John 5:7.
B. God the Son
Christ, the eternal Son of God, was incarnated as Jesus Christ, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to the virgin Mary. As Jesus, He perfectly revealed and fulfilled God's will, taking on human nature while remaining sinless. He obeyed the divine law and made provision for humanity's redemption through His substitutionary death on the cross. After being raised from the dead with a glorified body, Jesus appeared to His disciples, then ascended to heaven, where He sits at God's right hand as the One Mediator, fully divine and fully human, reconciling God and humanity. Jesus will return in power and glory to judge the world and complete His redemptive mission, currently dwelling in believers as the living, ever-present Lord.
Genesis 18:1ff.; Psalms 2:7ff.; 110:1ff.; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 53:1-12; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16,27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6,19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11; 16:15-16,28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20,28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5,20; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3,34; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8,24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15,24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9; Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16.
C. God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit, fully divine and the Spirit of God, played a crucial role in inspiring holy men to write the Scriptures. He enables individuals to comprehend truth through illumination, exalts Christ, and convicts people of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit calls people to the Savior, affecting regeneration and baptizing believers into the Body of Christ. He fosters Christian character, provides comfort, and bestows spiritual gifts for serving God through the church. Sealing believers until the day of final redemption, His presence guarantees that God will bring them into the fullness of Christ's stature. The Holy Spirit enlightens and empowers believers and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.
Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalms 51:11; 139:7ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-11,14-16,26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7; Revelation 1:10; 22:17.
III. The Creation and fall of the Man
Humans are the pinnacle of God's creation, made in His own image as male and female, with gender being a vital part of God's good design. Initially, humans were sinless and endowed with freedom of choice, but through Satan's temptation, they chose to disobey God's command, introducing sin into the human race. As a result, humanity's nature and environment became inclined toward sin, causing people to become transgressors and fall under condemnation as soon as they are capable of moral action. However, God's grace offers redemption, enabling humans to enter into His holy fellowship and fulfill their original purpose. The inherent value of human life is evident in being created in God's image and in Christ's sacrifice for humanity, making every person, regardless of race, worthy of dignity, respect, and Christian love.
Genesis 1:26-30; 2:5,7,18-22; 3; 9:6; Psalms 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 16:26; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18,23; 5:6,12,19; 6:6; 7:14-25; 8:14-18,29; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19,21-22; Ephesians 2:1-22; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11.
IV. Salvation
Salvation, offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, encompasses the redemption of the entire person. This multifaceted process includes Regeneration, or the new birth, is a transformative work of God's grace, where believers become new creations in Christ through repentance and faith. Justification is God's gracious acquittal of sinners who repent and believe in Christ, establishing a peaceful relationship with Him. Sanctification is the ongoing experience of being set apart for God's purposes, empowered by the Holy Spirit to progress toward spiritual maturity. Glorification is the final, blessed state of the redeemed, marking the culmination of salvation. Through personal faith in Jesus Christ, believers can experience this comprehensive salvation, which restores their relationship with God and transforms their lives.
Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-14,29; 3:3-21,36; 5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Romans 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18,30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-16; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:9-22; 3:1ff.; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1-12:8,14; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John 1:6-2:11; Revelation 3:20; 21:1-22:5.
V. God’s Purpose of Grace
Election is God's gracious plan to redeem sinners, encompassing regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. This sovereign purpose harmonizes with human free will and includes all necessary means to achieve its end. It showcases God's wise, holy, and unchanging goodness, promoting humility and excluding boasting. True believers, accepted in Christ and sanctified by the Spirit, will persevere to the end, despite potential stumbles into sin through neglect or temptation. Although such lapses may grieve the Spirit, hinder spiritual growth, and bring temporal consequences, God's power will sustain believers through faith, ensuring their ultimate salvation.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-8; 1 Samuel 8:4-7,19-22; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 31:31ff.; Matthew 16:18-19; 21:28-45; 24:22,31; 25:34; Luke 1:68-79; 2:29-32; 19:41-44; 24:44-48; John 1:12-14; 3:16; 5:24; 6:44-45,65; 10:27-29; 15:16; 17:6,12,17-18; Acts 20:32; Romans 5:9-10; 8:28-39; 10:12-15; 11:5-7,26-36; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 15:24-28; Ephesians 1:4-23; 2:1-10; 3:1-11; Colossians 1:12-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:10,19; Hebrews 11:39–12:2; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:2-5,13; 2:4-10; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:19; 3:2.
VI. The Church
A New Testament church is a self-governing, local community of baptized believers united by faith and fellowship, observing baptism and communion as ordained by Christ. Guided by His teachings, the church exercises spiritual gifts, rights, and privileges, striving to spread the gospel globally. Operating under Christ's Lordship, each member is accountable to Him, with pastors and deacons serving as scriptural officers. While both men and women are gifted for ministry, the role of pastor is reserved for men as specified in Scripture. The church, encompassing all believers across time, cultures, and nations, forms the Body of Christ, comprising the redeemed from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.
Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.
VII. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Christian baptism is a public declaration of faith, symbolizing a believer's commitment to Jesus Christ through immersion in water, invoking the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This act represents: Death to sin, Burial of the old life, Resurrection to a new life in Christ, Faith in the future resurrection of the dead. As a church ordinance, baptism is a requirement for church membership and participation in the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper is a symbolic remembrance of Christ's death, where believers share bread and wine, anticipating His return.
Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12.
VIII. Lord’s Day
The Lord's Day, observed on the first day of the week, is a sacred Christian institution honoring the resurrection of Christ. It is a time for believers to engage in public and private worship, as well as spiritual devotion, to commemorate this pivotal event. Activities on this day should align with the individual Christian's conscience, guided by the Lordship of Jesus Christ, allowing for a balance between rest, reflection, and reverence.
Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3,33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1,19-28; Acts 20:7; Romans 14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16; 3:16; Revelation 1:10.
IX. The Kingdom
The Kingdom of God encompasses both His universal sovereignty over creation and His personal reign over individuals who willingly acknowledge Him as King. Specifically, the Kingdom is the realm of salvation, entered through a trusting, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians are called to pray and work towards the Kingdom's establishment, seeking God's will on earth. However, the Kingdom's ultimate fulfillment awaits the return of Jesus Christ, marking the end of this age and the beginning of a new era.
Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 3:2; 4:8-10,23; 12:25-28; 13:1-52; 25:31-46; 26:29; Mark 1:14-15; 9:1; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 12:31-32; 17:20-21; 23:42; John 3:3; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31; Romans 5:17; 8:19; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 11:10,16; 12:28; 1 Peter 2:4-10; 4:13; Revelation 1:6,9; 5:10; 11:15; 21-22.
X. Last Things
In accordance with His promise, God will bring the world to its destined conclusion in His own time and manner. Jesus Christ will return to earth personally and visibly in glory, ushering in a new era. The dead will be resurrected, and Christ will judge all humanity with righteousness. The unrighteous will face eternal punishment in Hell, while the righteous, in their glorified bodies, will receive their reward and dwell eternally with the Lord in Heaven, experiencing the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan.
Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 16:27; 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40,48; 16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 15:24-28,35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 5:1ff.; 2Thessalonians 1:7ff.; 2; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7ff.; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13.
XI. Evangelism and Missions
As a fundamental duty and privilege, every follower of Christ and every church is called to make disciples of all nations, spreading the gospel and sharing God's love with others. The new birth of the spirit, made possible by the Holy Spirit, inherently sparks a love for others, driving believers to engage in missionary efforts. This mandate is rooted in Christ's teachings, which emphasize the importance of preaching the gospel to all nations. Therefore, it is the responsibility of every child of God to continually seek to win the lost to Christ through verbal witness, a Christian lifestyle, and other methods that harmonize with the gospel, ultimately fulfilling the Great Commission.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-6; Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 9:37-38; 10:5-15; 13:18-30, 37-43; 16:19; 22:9-10; 24:14; 28:18-20; Luke 10:1-18; 24:46-53; John 14:11-12; 15:7-8,16; 17:15; 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2; 8:26-40; 10:42-48; 13:2-3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 3:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:5; Hebrews 2:1-3; 11:39-12:2; 1 Peter 2:4-10; Revelation 22:17.
XII. Education
Christianity is a faith that values enlightenment and intelligence, with Jesus Christ embodying all wisdom and knowledge. As a result, sound learning is an integral part of the Christian heritage. The new birth stimulates a thirst for knowledge, and education is essential to a comprehensive spiritual program for believers. Christian education should balance academic freedom with responsibility, acknowledging that freedom is always limited and contextual. In Christian institutions, teachers' freedom is bound by the supremacy of Jesus Christ, the authority of Scripture, and the school's distinct purpose, ensuring that education serves the greater goal of fostering a deeper understanding of God's truth.
Deuteronomy 4:1,5,9,14; 6:1-10; 31:12-13; Nehemiah 8:1-8; Job 28:28; Psalms 19:7ff.; 119:11; Proverbs 3:13ff.; 4:1-10; 8:1-7,11; 15:14; Ecclesiastes 7:19; Matthew 5:2; 7:24ff.; 28:19-20; Luke 2:40; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31;Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 2:3,8-9; 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17; Hebrews 5:12-6:3; James 1:5; 3:17.
XIII. Stewardship
As the source of all blessings, God is the ultimate provider of everything we possess and all that we are. This realization instills in Christians a sense of spiritual responsibility, including a debtor ship to share the gospel globally, a trusteeship to manage divine resources, and a stewardship to utilize their possessions wisely. Consequently, believers are obligated to serve God with their time, talents, and material resources, acknowledging these as entrusted to them for His glory and the benefit of others. Scriptural guidance encourages Christians to contribute their resources cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally to advance God's cause on earth, demonstrating their gratitude and faithfulness.
Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23;25:14-29; Luke 12:16-21,42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 12; 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 12:15; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19.
XIV. Church Government
As needed, Christ's followers should establish associations and conventions to foster cooperation in advancing the Kingdom of God. These organizations, being voluntary and advisory, have no authority over churches or one another, instead aiming to combine and direct energies towards shared goals. New Testament churches should collaborate on missionary, educational, and benevolent efforts to expand Christ's Kingdom. True Christian unity is characterized by spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation among diverse groups, prioritizing common
objectives. Interdenominational cooperation is desirable when it serves a justifiable purpose, doesn't compromise conscience or loyalty to Christ, and remains faithful to the New Testament's teachings.
Exodus 17:12; 18:17ff.; Judges 7:21; Ezra 1:3-4; 2:68-69; 5:14-15; Nehemiah 4; 8:1-5; Matthew 10:5-15; 20:1-16; 22:1-10; 28:19-20; Mark 2:3; Luke 10:1ff.; Acts 1:13-14; 2:1ff.; 4:31-37; 13:2-3; 15:1-35; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 3:5-15; 12; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Galatians 1:6-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Philippians 1:15-18.
XV. The Christian and the Social Order
As followers of Christ, we are obligated to strive for His will to be supreme in our lives and in society. Lasting improvement and righteousness can only be achieved through individual regeneration by God's saving grace in Jesus Christ. In His spirit, we should oppose injustices like racism, greed, selfishness, vice, and sexual immorality, while advocating for the vulnerable, including the unborn, the orphaned, the needy, and the marginalized. We should promote righteousness, truth, and brotherly love in all aspects of life, including industry, government, and society. To achieve these goals, we should collaborate with people of good will, always acting in love and loyalty to Christ and His truth, without compromise.
Exodus 20:3-17; Leviticus 6:2-5; Deuteronomy 10:12; 27:17; Psalm 101:5; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 8:16; Matthew5:13-16,43-48; 22:36-40; 25:35; Mark 1:29-34; 2:3ff.; 10:21; Luke 4:18-21; 10:27-37; 20:25; John 15:12; 17:15;Romans 12–14; 1Corinthians 5:9-10; 6:1-7; 7:20-24; 10:23-11:1; Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 6:5-9;Colossians 3:12-17; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; Philemon; James 1:27; 2:8.
XVI. Peace and War
Christians have a duty to pursue peace with all people, grounded in righteousness and guided by Christ's spirit and teachings. They should strive to end war and promote peace, recognizing that the true solution to the war spirit lies in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The world's greatest need is for individuals and nations to embrace and apply His teachings, governed by the law of love. Therefore, Christian people worldwide should pray for the reign of the Prince of Peace, seeking His guidance and wisdom to bring about a more harmonious and peaceful world.
Isaiah 2:4; Matthew 5:9,38-48; 6:33; 26:52; Luke 22:36,38; Romans 12:18-19; 13:1-7; 14:19; Hebrews 12:14; James 4:1-2.
XVII. Religious Liberty
God is the sole authority over individual conscience, freeing it from human doctrines and commandments that contradict or exceed His Word. The relationship between church and state should be one of separation, with the state ensuring equal protection and freedom for all churches to pursue their spiritual objectives. Christians have a duty to obey civil authorities in matters that align with God's revealed will, while the church should rely solely on spiritual means to achieve its goals, without resorting to state power. The state has no authority to impose penalties for religious opinions, collect taxes for religious support, or interfere with the formation and dissemination of religious beliefs. The ideal Christian scenario is a free church in a free state, where individuals can access God freely and express their religious opinions without state interference.
Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:6-7,24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Romans 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Galatians 5:1,13; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.
XVIII. The Family
God established the family as the fundamental institution of society, comprising individuals connected by marriage, blood, or adoption. Marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, symbolizing the union between Christ and His church. It provides a framework for intimate companionship, biblical sexual expression, and procreation. Husbands and wives, created equally in God's image, have distinct roles: husbands are to love and lead their families with Christ-like servant leadership, while wives are to submit graciously to their husbands' leadership and serve as helpers in managing the household and nurturing the next generation. Children, considered blessings from conception, should be taught spiritual and moral values by their parents, who model God's pattern for marriage and lead them with loving discipline and biblical guidance. In turn, children are to honor and obey their parents.
Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalms51:5; 78:1-8; 127; 128; 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15;23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15,17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5;19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1Timothy 5:8,14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7.