The Bible is the inspired Word of God, useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and instructing in righteousness. As God’s Word is the absolute authority and guideline for our life (ethics) and knowledge (doctrine) and to evaluate our experiences (wisdom). In the Bible, the Old Testament (Prophets) points towards Jesus, and the New Testament (Apostles) points towards Jesus, which means that the entire Bible points directly to Jesus as the cornerstone. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Eph. 2:20)

God is a Triune God - Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit. HE is the sovereign Creator of heaven and earth and the ruler over the universe. HE is ever-present, ever-knowing, and ever-powerful. (Matt.28:19; Gen 1+2)

The best way to understand this might be through the imagery of marriage. Husband and wife are two distinct individuals, but they enter the marriage bond and become “one.” To everyone else outside of marriage, they are considered one unit. Especially toward their children, the couple is now one unit, raising them and requiring them to obey either of them equally. Though individually distinct, they are one.

Jesus is the Christ, the anointed, awaited Messiah of the Jews, sent by God the Father, given by the Holy Spirit, to be born of the Virgin Mary. HE was fully God and fully man. HE lived on earth, taught, and healed the sick. HE died on the cross, though without sin, as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. HE rose from the dead on the third day, ascended into heaven, and will return when God, the Father, will determine it. Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth and commands us to reach out to the nations, to make disciples, baptize them and teach them HIS truths. (John 1:1-18; 1 John 5:1; Rom. 3:22-26; Match. 28:18-20)

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, glorifying Jesus and the Father. HE convicts us of our sins and our sinful state. When we receive Jesus Christ into our hearts, the Holy Spirit lives in us, seals us for eternity, and guides us in all truth. We are called to be filled with the Holy Spirit to bring fruits and be transformed into God’s image. The Holy Spirit equips us with one or more spiritual gifts, according to HIS discernment, which we are to use to edify the church and its people. (Matth. 3:16-17; John 16-14; 1 Cor. 2:10-14; Rom. 12:6-8)

Mankind had been created in God’s image, as man and woman in the image of God. Mankind fell into sin, being deceived by Satan and losing the privilege of being in the presence of God. Mankind, in his sinful nature, is separated from God and cannot redeem himself/herself through his own merits. It took the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for the sins of mankind. This gift of redemption is offered to us by the GRACE of God through Jesus Christ. We can receive it as a gift; we cannot earn it. The redeemed person is now in a constant battle of living for Christ and fighting his sinful nature. In HIS wisdom, God has given us the Holy Spirit to give us power and the armor of God as a means of defense. All things, good and bad, are part of God’s plan to transform us into HIS image. At the end of our lives, or when Jesus returns, all will stand trial before the throne of God. Only the one whose name is written in the Book of Life will enter HIS kingdom and have eternal life through Jesus Christ. (Gen. 1:27; Gen.3; Eph. 2:8-9; Eph. 6:10-20)

The church is God’s ordained body of believers, baptized and discipled within the church, with Jesus as the head of the church. The universal church is the body of all believers, past, present, and future. God has ordained Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, and Pastor Teachers to build and edify the church. The local church is governed by the elders and deacons to ensure order in the church. This is a structural government with the goal of providing spiritual leadership (elders) and administrative leadership (deacons). It is the mission of the church to reach out to the lost (evangelize) and disciple the believers for the service on God’s ministry. The church is equipped with spiritual gifts to serve the community of believers and empowered by the Holy Spirit to testify of their faith. The church has the authority to discipline a sinning believer, with the goal of restoring the believer into a healthy relationship with God. (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:11-12; Acts 6:1-7; Matth. 18:15-20)

At a determined time, only known by God the Father, Jesus will return to raise up the living and the dead. In the final judgment, all mankind will be judged by their deeds. However, only those who received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and whose names are written in the Book of Life will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Unbelievers and unrepented will be punished for eternity in the lake of fire, a place of total separation from God. Even the Devil and his demons where will be eternally in the lake of fire, receiving their punishment for their rebellion against God.

When everything is finished, and everyone will have bowed down before the eternal King Jesus, he himself will submit to God. The authority given to Jesus will be returned to God. (Mark 13:32; 1 Cor 15:28; Rev. 20:7-14)