The
Bible
We believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible--meaning
God divinely influenced the human authors of the Scriptures in
such a way that what they wrote was the very Word of God. That
means the
inspiration extends to the very words themselves (verbal inspiration),
not just concepts or ideas, and that the inspiration extends
to all parts of Scripture and all subject matters of Scripture
(plenary
inspiration). We believe the Bible is the product of God, given
through Spirit-controlled men and thus it is inerrant, infallible,
authoritative
and complete. We believe the Bible to be the true center of Christian
union and the final authority for all human conduct, creeds,
and opinions. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21
The True and Living God
We believe there is only one true and living God. He is an infinite
Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, infinite
in every excellence. We believe that in the unity of the God-head
there are three persons--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Yet,
they are one in substance and equal in every divine perfection.
Exodus 20:2-3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 John 5:7; Revelation 4:11
We believe in the absolute deity of the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ;
that He is divine as no other man can be, being very God of very
God. He is eternal, co-equal with the Father and the Spirit.
He never ceased to be God. When He became a man, He did not lay
aside
His deity; but voluntarily laid aside the independent use of
His Godly attributes, such as all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere
present at the same time. In His humanity is the product of the
Holy Spirit, conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary. In this,
He is the Son of God and the Son of Man. Genesis 3:15; Isaiah
7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2;
John 5:20
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, co-equal
with God the Father and God the Son and of the same substance
and nature.
In times past He was active in the creation and in bestowing
power upon man for service to God. Today His ministry is to convict
the
world of sin, righteousness and judgment; He restrains the evil
one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; He bears witness
to the truth of the gospel; He is the agent of new birth in Christ.
His ministry in the believer is to seal, endue with power, guide,
teach, and sanctify. He indwells (lives within) every true child
of God. John 14:16-17; Romans 8:14-27; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26;
Genesis 1:1-3; John 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; Ephesians
1:13-14
