THE LORD'S SUPPER
The Lord's Supper serves as a remembrance of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ and is to be observed until He returns. Participation is meant to remind the believer of the unity of all believers in Christ. The bread represents the body of Christ given for us on the cross. The cup represents the blood of Christ which was shed for the forgiveness of sins. Only believers are to partake of the Lord's Supper, also called communion. I Corinthians 11:26-32; 10:16-17
THE COMING OF CHRIST FOR THE CHURCH
The Lord promised that the church would be caught up (raptured) to meet Him in the air, to be forever in His presence. Because the Lord Jesus Christ will come for His church, believers should purify themselves and be zealous of good works. When the Lord returns, He will judge all believers, not for their sins but their works. Their works, meaning their thoughts, deeds, and service, will receive God's praise and reward if they have brought honor and glory to Him. He shall consume by fire all works that have not brought honor and glory to Him. I Corinthians 3:10-17; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-15
THE STATE OF THE DEAD
Physical death is the separation of the temporal body from the soul and spirit. Spiritual death is the separation between God and those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. Nowhere does the Scripture extend any hope of salvation outside of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. At death, a believer remains in a conscious state and is present with the Lord, absent from sin and suffering. An unbeliever continues forever in a state of conscious suffering, totally separated from God. Revelation 20:10-15; John 3:36; II Corinthians 5:6-8
A DISPENSATIONAL EMPHASIS
The word "dispensation" is a Bible word that means house law. God has given "house laws" throughout human history. Some are unique to specific people during a specific period of time. The present age in which we live is called the dispensation of the grace of God. The present dispensation began with the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, who became the Apostle Paul (Acts 9). The age will terminate with the pre-tribulation appearance of Christ, who will catch the church out of this world. The church in this present age is called "the Body of Christ." The crucified and risen Christ is to be proclaimed to the world in the light of the revelation made to the Apostle Paul, which is called "the Mystery." The gospel proclaimed by the church is called the gospel of the grace of God.
ESCHATOLOGY
The Rapture was a mystery hidden in the mind of God until revealed to Paul. It will occur before the Tribulation begins when the saved are taken out of the world. The rest of the saved who had died before the church age began will be raised after the Tribulation to enter into the earthly kingdom, which will last a thousand years. The unsaved dead will be raised after the kingdom age for judgment. All resurrections, saved and unsaved, are bodily in nature. I Corinthians 15:35-53; I Thessalonians 4:13-16; Philippians 1:10; Titus 2:13-14; Revelation 20:4-6; Revelation 20:11-15
THE BIBLE
The entire Bible, in its original writings, was given by the inspiration of God. It is complete and of absolute authority. II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21
THE GODHEAD
There is one true God, eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6:4; I Timothy 2:5; Ephesians 4:4-6; Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:11
THE FATHER
The Father has given all things to the control of the Lord Jesus Christ. To Jesus, the man, the Father was absolute authority and the source of all power. No one comes to the Father except through the person of Jesus Christ. Anyone who knows the son, Jesus Christ, also knows the Father. John 5:22; 12:49-50; 14:6-11
THE SON
The Son is the Lord Jesus Christ. He created all things. He came in the flesh as a sinless, perfect human. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He purchased man's redemption and is now at the Father's right hand making intercession for the believers. Hebrews 4:16; Colossians 1; Romans 8:26-39
RESURRECTION
The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is essential to the Christian faith. His resurrection from the dead has abolished death. As He was raised from the dead, so shall all believers who die be raised from the dead. All who have died will have a bodily resurrection, the just to everlasting life, and the unjust to everlasting punishment. I Corinthians 15:16-26; I Corinthians 15:40-44; John 3:36; Revelation 20:10-15
BAPTISM
There is one baptism for today & all believers have been made members of the Body of Christ through this one spiritual baptism. By this baptism, every member is identified and united with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. This union is the basis for a victorious life in which a believer has the power to live a life pleasing to God. Eph 4:4-6; Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:3-4
THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION
The universal church consists of all believers and is called the Body of Christ. The body of Christ is unique in that the Jew and the Gentile who believe in Christ are one family of God apart from the nation of Israel. God established the church to bring honor and glory to Himself.
Local assemblies of the church exist:
1) To worship the Lord - (Exalt the Lord)
2) To encourage each other to godliness - (Edify the saints)
3) To proclaim the message of reconciliation to all men - (Evangelize the lost)
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit sanctifies, teaches, indwells, enlightens, and baptizes the believer. He, with our submission to His leading and the word of God, produces the fruit of the Spirit in believers. I Corinthians 12:11-13; Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 8
THE CONDITION OF MAN APART FROM GOD
All men are dead in their sins and are separated from God and unable to save themselves. Apart from the Lord Jesus Christ, all men are condemned for eternity. Ephesians 2:1-4; 6:4-16
SALVATION
God freely justifies and declares sinners righteous by His grace. His grace is based entirely on the blood of Christ and is given to all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. One must believe that Christ died for their sins, was buried, and rose again from the grave. God's redemption is given to all who put their faith in Christ and His finished work. All believers are eternally secure in Christ. Romans 3:23-30; Ephesians 2:16-11; I Corinthians 15:1-4; John 3:16; Romans 8:1
THE BELIEVER'S WALK
A believer is any person who trusts the Lord Jesus Christ alone for his or her eternal salvation. The believer's walk is the biblical view the Lord desires for them to live. God desires that a believer continually trusts Him (live by faith) in all situations and circumstances. This is accomplished by obediently submitting to God and His Word as absolute authority. Romans 12:1-8; Romans 13:10; Romans 14:23
God has various plans for humanity in every dispensation. In each dispensation, some accept and others reject God's plans. Judgment will be dispensed according to light received and works produced. Some will be eligible for everlasting life, while others will receive everlasting condemnation or judgment. However, those who are saved by faith in the blood of Christ will be judged, not to determine destiny, but for rewards at the judgment seat of Christ. John 4:29; Revelation 20:13; Romans 8:1; I Corinthians 3:12-15; Luke 16:23-38; Philippians 1:21; II Corinthians 5:6-8
MISSION
The mission of the church is:
1) Proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ through the ministry of reconciliation.
2) To teach and preach the Lord Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.
Romans 16:25; II Corinthians 5:16-21; Ephesians 3:8-9
