The Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is inerrant, infallible, and the final authority for faith and practice. (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; Psalm 119:105, 160; Prov. 30:5)
God
There is one God, eternally existing in three unique, but equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Gen. 1:1, 26; John 4:24; Acts 5:3-4; Psalm 90:2; Matt. 28:19)
Jesus
Jesus Christ is the Son of God who became man without ceasing to be God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He came to earth to be a perfect sacrifice for our sins through his death on a cross. To demonstrate his power over sin and death, he rose from the dead on the third day. He ascended into heaven where his place of authority is secure forever. One day he will return for his bride–the Church. (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; Acts 1:9, 4:12; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; John 20:25-9; Heb. 4:14, 10:12)
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every Christian spiritual gifts for service. Christians must daily seek to live under his control. (Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Galatians 5:25; 1 Cor. 2:12, 3:16; Eph. 1:13, 5:18)
Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God. We are to be holy because God is Holy. However, we are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. Being separated from God, we are “sons of Adam.” (Gen. 1:27, Psalm 8:3-6; Isa. 53:6a, 59:1-2; Rom. 3:23, 5:12-14)
Salvation
Salvation is the gift of God brought to man and received by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. Being joined to God, we are adopted as “sons of God” and we are secure in his relationship for eternity. (Rom. 5:1, 15-17, 6:23, 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-9; John 1:2, 14:6, Titus 3:5; Gal. 3:26)
Eternity
There will be a personal literal, and bodily resurrection of the Christian and the non-Christian. For the non-Christian, there will be eternal punishment, being separated from God in Hell. For the Christian, there will be eternal joy being united with God in heaven. (John 5:28-9; Rom. 6:23, 8:17-8; 1 Cor. 2:7-9; 15:42-3; Rev. 20:4-6, 11-15)
Church
The Church is all who have placed their faith in the work of Jesus Christ. God has commanded the Church to observe the ordinances of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism. Throughout the world by the vehicle of the Church, Christians are to exercise their spiritual gifts in service to God. (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 11:23-8, 12; Eph. 4:4-6; Matt. 28:19-20)
WHAT WE BELIEVE
LIVING HOPE BIBLE CHURCH