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THE 27 FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS

THE 27 FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS. 1. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

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THE 27 FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS

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  1. THE 27 FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS

  2. 1. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES The holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by inspiration through holy men of God who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to man the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the infallible revelation of his will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God’s acts in history.

  3. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament make up the Holy Scriptures. God has given us the Bible to reveal his will and to point us to salvation. Scripture is: • The source of the knowledge essential for salvation. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 • The revealer of right doctrine and God’s will. John 17:17; Isaiah 8:20 • The record of God’s dealings with mankind. 1 Corinthians 10:11 • All Scripture is Christ-centered. John 5:39-40

  4. The Bible is God’s inspired and infallible message to humanity and must be studied with his guidance. We must not add to or subtract from it. • The Scriptures bear God’s authority, not man’s. 2 Peter 1:20-21 • Human beings need the Holy Spirit’s guidance to understand God as he is revealed in Scripture. 1 Corinthians 2:9-14 • We should study all parts of the Bible to find truth. Luke 24:27,44 • Daily Bible study is important to keep us from deception. Acts 17:11

  5. 2. THE TRINITY There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through his self-revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation.

  6. There is only one God, yet we know him as three persons who are revealed in Scripture as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Bible makes no attempt to resolve the riddle of the Trinity, the three in one. • The Lord is one God. Deuteronomy 6:4 • All three persons were involved in creation. Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1, 14 • All three persons were evident at Jesus’ baptism. Matthew 3:16-17 • The Apostolic blessing acknowledge of three persons. 2 Corinthians 13:14

  7. God is beyond our comprehension, but he has chosen to make himself known to those who seek him. • We must seek God to know him. Jeremiah 29:13 • Seeking God should be our first priority. Matthew 6:33 • God’s ultimate revelation of himself is in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1-2; John 1:18, 14:9

  8. God is all-wise, all sufficient, and is worthy of our worship. He is: • Eternal- He has always existed and always will. Psalm 90:2 • Omnipresent- He is everywhere at all times. Psalm 139:7-10 • Omnipotent- He is all powerful. Matthew 19:26 • Omniscient- He knows all, and is especially interested in humanity. Isaiah 46:9-10, Matthew 6:8 • Immutable- He does not change. James 1:17 • Interested in each person and the small details of life. Matthew 10:29-30 • Worthy of worship. Revelation 4:11

  9. 3. THE FATHER God the Eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also revelations of the Father.

  10. God the Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer and Ruler of all creation. He is in no sense detached or aloof from his created beings and their needs but daily gives them life. • He created all things. Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11 • He is the source of all life. Acts 17:28-29; Psalm 36:9 • He sustains all life. Psalm 104:27-30 • He is Sovereign over all the universe for all eternity. 1 Corinthians 15:28 • He abounds in love and faithfulness. Deuteronomy 7:9; Exodus 34:6

  11. God’s holiness and justice which requires that sinners be destroyed are mingled with his love, mercy, and grace that make forgiveness and salvation available to all who will receive them. • He is just, holy, and merciful. Exodus 34:7 • He extends his grace to us. 1 John 1:9; John 3:16

  12. The characteristics of the Father are also seen in the Son and Holy Spirit. • The Father’s character is revealed by Jesus. John 14:9; Hebrews 1:2-3 • The Holy Spirit reveals the Father and Son to us. John 16:13-15

  13. 4. THE SON God the eternal Son became incarnate Jesus Christ. Through him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, he became also truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By his miracles he manifested God’s power and was attested as God’s promised Messiah.

  14. 4. THE SON CONTINUED He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of his people and the restoration of all things.

  15. God demonstrated his concern for humanity by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, to live on earth as a human being to save us. • He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. Luke 1:26-27, 35 • He is truly God and truly human. Colossians 1:15-16 • He is our Creator. John 1:1-3, 10, 14; Colossians 1:15-16 • He is our Saviour and our Judge. Romans 6:23; John 3:16; 5:22

  16. While on earth, Jesus gained victory over Satan, revealed God’s true character, and died for us. • He experienced temptation, but did not sin. Hebrews 4:15; John 3:5 • He demonstrated the power of God. John 6:14, 20:30-31 • He perfectly exemplified God’s character. John 14:9 • He voluntarily died in our place for our sins. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

  17. Jesus rose from the dead, returned to heaven, and will come again in glory to take his people to be with him. • His resurrection assures eternal life to all who accept him as Saviour. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 • He is now serving as our high priest in heaven. Hebrews 7:25, 8:1-2, 9:24 • He will come again to deliver his people. Acts 1:10-11; John 14:1-3 • He will restore the earth to its original perfection. Revelation 21:1

  18. 5. THE HOLY SPIRIT God the Eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. He draws and convicts human beings; and those who respond he renews and transforms into the image of God. Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with his children, he extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures, leads it into all truth.

  19. The Holy Spirit is one person of the Godhead. He was active in the world even before God created life on earth. He inspired the writing of the Bible. • He was active in the work of Creation. Genesis 1:1-2 • He was active in the incarnation of Christ. Luke 1:35 • He played an active role in Christ’s redemptive work on earth. Luke 4:18 • He inspired those who wrote the Bible. 2 Peter 1:21

  20. The Spirit is active today in drawing people to God and in assisting Christians. • He attracts people to God. Revelation 22:17 • He convicts people of their sinfulness and need of God’s forgiveness. John 16:7-13 • He brings about the new birth. John 3:3-8 • He leads the church into all truth. John 14:26, 15:26-27 • The truth he leads to is in harmony with the Bible. Isaiah 8:20 • He is always with us, comforting and helping us. John 14:16-18 • He gives spiritual gifts to the church. Ephesians 4:11-12

  21. He empowers the the church to bear witness to Christ. Acts 1:8 • He can be grieved away if we ignore his promptings. Ephesians 4:30 • The Christian’s body is the Spirit’s temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 • We are sealed by the Spirit as children of God. Ephesians 1:13-14

  22. 6. CREATION God is Creator of all things, and has revealed in Scripture the authentic account of his creative activity. In six days the Lord made “the heaven and the earth” and all living things upon the earth, and rested on the seventh day of that first week. Thus he established the Sabbath as a perpetual memorial of his completed creative work. The first man and woman were made in the image of God as the crowning work of Creation, given dominion over the world, and charged with the responsibility to care for it.

  23. God created all things through the Son, and the Bible gives the authentic account of his activity during creation week. The Sabbath memorializes his work and the origin of our world. • He created all things through the Son. Hebrews 1:1-2 • God created all things by his word. Psalm 33:6 • All life on earth was created during the six-day creation week. Genesis 1&2 • Everything was perfect in God’s original creation. Genesis 1:31 • The Sabbath is a memorial of God’s completed creative work. Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11

  24. Human beings, made in the image of God, are the crowning work of God’s creation, and are placed in the earth to care for it. • We are made in the image of God. Genesis 1:26-27 • We are given dominion over the world. Psalm 8

  25. 7. THE NATURE OF MAN Man and woman were made in the image of God with individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do. Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God for life and breath and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God, they denied their dependence upon him and fell from their high position under God. The image of God in them was marred and they became subject to death.

  26. The nature of man continued Their descendants share this fallen nature and its consequences. They are born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ reconciled the world to himself and by his spirit restores in penitent morals the image of their Maker. Created for the glory of God, they are called to love him and one another, and care for their environment.

  27. Human beings are God’s special creation---made in his own image. Like God we have the power of choice . God wants us to choose to love him and to care for our world and its inhabitants. • We are created by God in his image. Genesis 1:26-27 • God places the breath of life, or spirit, within us, making us living souls-a unity of body and spirit. We have no soul that can exist apart from this unity of body and spirit. Genesis 2:7 • God gives the power of choice, but we remain dependent of him. Acts 17:24-28 • God wants us to learn to love as he loves. Matthew 22:35-40 • We should take care of God’s creation. Psalm 8:4-8

  28. The image of God in mankind became marred when Adam and Eve sinned in Eden. We are now born with tendencies toward evil and are subject to sin and death. • Adam and Eve’s wrong use of the power of choice resulted from trying to be independent of God. Genesis 3 • Because of their sin, all their descendants are subject to death. Romans 5:12-17 • Our natural inborn tendencies are toward evil. Psalm 51:5; Ephesians 2:3

  29. Although we are born with sinful tendencies, God does not reject us. He sees what we can become through his grace. • Jesus’ life and death reconciles us to God. Romans 5:6-11; 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 • God gives us his Holy Spirit to restore his image in us. Psalm 51:10-11;

  30. 8. THE GREAT CONROVERSY All humanity is now involved in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, his law, and his sovereignty over the universe. This conflict originated in heaven when a created being, endowed with freedom of choice, in self-exaltation became Satan, God’s adversary, and led into rebellion a portion of the angels. He introduced the spirit of rebellion into this world when he led Adam and Eve into sin.

  31. THE GREAT CONTROVERSY CONTINUED This human sin resulted in the distortion of the image of God in humanity, the disordering of the created world, and its eventual devastation at the time of the worldwide flood. Observed by the whole creation, this world became the arena of the universal conflict, out of which the God of love will ultimately be vindicated. To assist his people in this controversy, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain them in way of salvation.

  32. The root cause of all the evil we see on earth today is Lucifer’s (Satan) rebellion against God, which has led to a universe-wide conflict. • The conflict began in heaven. Revelation 12:4-9 • Satan was created perfect. Ezekiel 28:12-18 • Satan’s pride led him to want to be equal to God. Isaiah 14:12-14

  33. When he was cast out of heaven, Satan came to earth and tempted Adam and Eve to join his rebellion. Their fall changed earth from a paradise to a battlefield. All the inhabitants of the universe have witnessed the results of Satan’s work here. • When Adam and Eve followed Satan in rebellion, all of mankind became tainted by sin. Genesis 3 • Sin has distorted the image of God in mankind. Romans 1:19-32 • Sin caused God’s beautiful creation to become so vile that he had to destroy it in a flood. • All of creation watches events here, waiting for redemption of God’s children. Romans 8:19-22

  34. Gods sends his Son, his spirit, and his angels to help us in our struggles against evil. Romans 5:15-21 In the end, all the universe will see that God’s way is right and Satan’s way wrong, and God will be vindicated as the only just ruler for the universe. • Every knee will finally bow to Christ. Philippians 2:5-11 • All will acknowledge Christ as worthy of worship. Revelation 5:11-14

  35. 9. The life, death, and resurrection of Christ. In Christ’s life of perfect obedience to God’s will, his suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only means of atonement for human sin, so that those who by faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the whole creation may better understand the infinite and holy love of the Creator.

  36. The life death and resurrection continued This perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of God’s law and the graciousness of his character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our forgiveness. By dying, Christ took our place , canceled our guilt, reconciled us to God, and transforms us. The resurrection of Christ proclaims God’s triumph over the forces of evil, and for those who accept the atonement assures their final victory over sin and death. It declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth earth will bow.

  37. Christ’s life, death, and resurrection reveal God’s righteous character and make eternal life available to all who accept it. • Only Christ could accomplish redemption. Acts 4:12; Hebrew 7:26-27 • Those who accept Christ as Lord and Saviour receive eternal life. John 3:16 • Christ’s life and death show that God deals justly with us. Romans 3:23:26 Through his death, Jesus provided atonement for us and demonstrated God’s great love for us. In resurrection, he triumphed over Satan and death.

  38. He died in my place. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 • He bore the penalty for my sin in my place. Romans 3:25-26, 4:25, 8:3 • He triumphed over Satan at his resurrection. Colossians 2:15; 1 Peter 3:21-22 Christ’s life of perfect obedience and his atoning death show that obedience is possible as the Holy Spirit empowers us. Christ’s resurrection provides assurance of eternal life for his children. • Jesus obeyed God’s law. John 15:10; 1 Peter 2:21-22 • Jesus’ obedience and the Spirit’s empowering make our obedience possible. Romans 8:3-4 • Jesus’ resurrection assures ours. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

  39. 10. THE EXPERIENCE OF SALVATION In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew him no sin, to be sin for us, so that in him we might be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Example. This faith which receives salvation comes through the divine power of the Word and is the gift of God’s grace.

  40. THE EXPERIENCE OF SALVATION CONTINUED Through Christ we are justified, adopted as God’s sons and daughters, and delivered from the lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God’s law of love in our hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in him we become partakers of the divine nature and have the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment.

  41. All human beings need to be saved. We are sinful by nature and need to admit and repent of our sins, and receive Christ as our sinless substitute. • We have all sinned and come short of God’s glory. Romans 3:23 • Our sinfulness alienates us from God and alienation leads to further sin. Romans 8:5-8 • The Holy Spirit points out our need for repentance. John 16:7-8 • We need to recognize and admit our sinfulness. 1 John 1:8-10 • We need to repent. Acts 2:38 • We cannot save ourselves, we need a Saviour. Titus 3::3-7

  42. Through faith we receive our Saviour who forgives us for our past, gives us assurance of eternal life, brings about our adoption as sons and daughters of God, and gives us power to live holy lives. • Faith and salvation are God’s gifts to us. Ephesians 2:5-10, Luke 17:5 • We receive faith through hearing the word of God. Romans 10:17 • By faith we accept Jesus as our Saviour. John 3:16 • By faith we receive forgiveness and justification. Romans 3:21-26 • By faith we are adopted as God’s children.

  43. By faith we are delivered from evil and given the assurance of eternal life. Galatians 1:4; 1 John 5:13 • By faith we are born again to a new life. John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23 • By faith we are changed to be more like God. Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, 2 Peter 1:3-4 • By faith we receive power to live a holy life. Ezekiel 36:25-27, Romans 8:1-4 • God has promised to write his law of love on our hearts to help us obey “from the heart.” Hebrew 8:7-12 • God promises to forgive us as we confess our sins. 1 John 1:7-9

  44. 11. THE CHURCH The church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity with the people of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from the world; and we join together for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the Word, for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, for service to all mankind, and for the worldwide proclamation of the gospel.

  45. THE CHURCH CONTINUED The church derives its authority from Christ , who is the incarnate Word, and from the Scriptures, which are the written Word. The church is God’s family; adopted by him as children, its members live on the basis of the new covenant. The church is the body of Christ, a community of faith of which Christ himself is the head. The church is the bride for whom Christ died that he might sanctify and cleanse her. At his return in triumph, he will present her to himself a glorious church, the faithful of all ages, the purchase of his blood, not having a spot or a wrinkle, but holy and without blemish.

  46. When we become Christians, we become a part of Christ’s church. The church is described as Christ’s body, and he is the head. Church members need to keep in close contact with Christ and with each other through meeting regularly for worship. • The church is Christ’s body. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 • Christ is the head. Ephesians 1:22-23 • The church is also described as Christ's bride which he is preparing for the great marriage in heaven. 2 Corinthians 11:2, Revelation 19:7-8 • Acceptance of Christ brings adoption into the family of God. John 1:12-13, Ephesians 2:19-22

  47. Acceptance of Christ leads to separation from worldly practices. 1 John 2:15, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 • God had a special congregation in Old Testament times too. Genesis 12:3, Acts 7:38 • Christians need to meet together for worship and encouragement. Hebrews 10:24-25 • We should invest our gifts, energies, and abilities in building up the church. Ephesians 4:11-15 Christ has given his church authority and a mission on the earth. Its authority is founded upon himself as the Word of God, and upon his word, the Bible. • My mission as a church member is to lead others from the world into Christ’s church. Matthew 28:19-20 • In answer to prayers, Christ gives his church the ability to make decisions in harmony with his will. Matt 16:13-20

  48. 12. THE REMNANT AND ITS MISSION The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been called to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of his second advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth.

  49. In these last days God has a special people called the remnant. They may be described as those who remain loyal to him in a time of terrible apostasy. • Revelation predicts that the remnant will exist after the persecution of the dark ages. Revelation 12:13-17 • God calls out his special remnant in a time of terrible apostasy. Revelation 18:1-4 • The remnant are faithful to God’s commandments. Revelation 12: 17, 14:12 • The remnant have the testimony of Jesus (i.e.) The spirit of Prophecy- the prophetic gift. Revelation 12: 17, 19: 10

  50. The remnant proclaim the urgent message about the commencement of the time of judgment, salvation through, and the nearness of his second coming. • They point to salvation through Christ alone. Revelation 12:10-11 • They proclaim the message of the judgment hour. Revelation 14:6-12 • This message is a reference to the judgment that takes place in heaven before Christ returns to earth. Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 • They proclaim the nearness of Christ’s return. 2 Peter 3:10-14

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