1. God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe1. He has eternally existed2 in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.3 These therefore are coequal and are one God.
1 Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22
2 Psalm 90:2
3 Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14
2. Jesus
Jesus Christ is the Son of God.1 He is coequal2 with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice3 for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death.4 He ascended5 to Heaven’s glory and will return again6 someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
1 Matthew 1:22,23 Isaiah 9:6
2 John 1:1-5, 14:10-30
3 Hebrews 4:14,15
4 I Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4
5 Acts 1:9-11
6 I Tim. 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
3. The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father1 and the Son of God2. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives3 in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides4 the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right5. He gives every believer a spiritual gift6 when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
1 2 Corinthians 3:17
2 Acts 1:8
3 I Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13
4 Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
5 John 16:7-13; 14:16; 17:3
6 1 Corinthians 7:7, 12:7-11
4. The Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance1 of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living2. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error3.
1 II Peter 1:20,21
2 II Timothy 3:16,1:13; Psalm 119:105,160
3 Psalm 12:6 Proverbs 30:5
5. Humans
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character1. People are the supreme object2 of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”3 This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
1 Genesis 1:27
2 Psalm 8:3-6
3 Isaiah 53:6a Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2
6. Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift1 to us but we must accept it. We can never makeup for our sin by self-improvement or good works.2 Only by trusting in Jesus Christ3 as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.4
1 Romans 6:23
2 Ephesians 2:8,9; Galatians 3:2
3 John 14:6,1:12; Titus 3:5; Romans 5:1
4 John 5:24
7. Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity.1 If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian.2 It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.3
1 John 10:28-29; I Peter 1:3-5
2 Galatians 3:2; Hebrews 10:10,14
3 II Timothy 1:12 Hebrews 7:25
8. Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell.1 To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life.2 Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
1 Revelation 20:1 Matthew 18:8-9, 25:41,46
2 John 3:16;12:25; 5:11-13; Romans 6:23