10 Essential Beliefs

  1. Thinks Christian (A Christian Worldview):

    Believes that the Bible is the moral standard; believes that absolute moral truths exist and are conveyed through the Bible; believes that the Bible is totally accurate in all that it teaches; And strives to live their life by its teachings.

  2. Our Triune and Personal God (Theology Proper, Transcendence, Immanence, and Providence):

    The belief that the God of the Bible is the only true God, existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, distinguishable but indivisible (see 2 Corinthians 13:14); and He is involved in and cares about our daily lives (Psalm 121).

  3. Jesus Christ (Christology):

    The Son of God, the Savior of men, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, crucified for the sins of the world, dead, buried, raised to life, and coming again in power and glory. (Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1-18; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 4:25; John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

  4. The Holy Spirit (Pneumatology):

    The belief that God, the Holy Spirit, is the third person of the Trinity, and is the one who applies what Jesus accomplished on our behalf on the Cross and the empty tomb. He fills and empowers Christians to live godly lives and helps us minister in His name with the gifts He supplies. (Acts 2:1-4, 8:14-17, 10:44-46; Galatians 3:14-15; 1 Corinthians 12-14)

  5. The Creation and the Fall:

    The belief that God created everything in the beginning. Mankind was created without sin, but by an act of free will, did sin and bring about the Fall of Mankind and the entrance of sin and the curse into the world. (Genesis 1-3)

  6. Our Salvation (Soteriology):

    The belief that a person comes into the right relationship with God and is saved by his grace through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. (Mark 1:15; Ephesians 2:8-9)

  7. Our Identity in Christ (Aspect of Sanctification):

    The belief that a person is significant because of his or her position in Christ. (John 1:12-13)

  8. The Authority of the Bible (Bibliology):

    The belief that the Bible is the Word of God and has the right to command our beliefs and actions. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

  9. The Church (Ecclesiology):

    The belief that the church is God’s primary way to accomplish his purposes on earth today. (Ephesians 4:15-16)

  10. Eternity (Eschatology):

    The belief that there is a heaven and a hell and that Jesus will return to judge the earth and to establish His eternal kingdom (John 14:1-4). Even believers will be judged by Christ and will receive the appropriate commendations, rewards, and future assignments. (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:10-14)

Resources for further study on this topic:

Christian Worldview

  • Worldview by David Naugle Jr

Our Triune and Personal God

  • Knowing God by J.I. Packard

  • The Cross of Christ by John Stott

  • Baptism and the Fullness of the Spirit by John Stott

Our Humanity

  • The Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge

Our Salvation

  • The Gospel According to Jesus by John MacArthur

Our Identity in Christ

  • Freedom in Christ (CD series) by Jamie Lash

The Authority of the Bible

  • The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture by Rene Pache

The Church

  • The Gospel of the Kingdom by George Ladd

  • Furnace of Renewal by George Malone

Compassion

  • Power Healing by John Wimber

Eternity (Eschatology)

  • The Pre-wrath Rapture of the Church by Marvin Rosenthal

The Judgment Seat of Christ

  • This Was Your Life by Jamie Lash