Biblical Links for Core Beliefs
1. God
God is the creator and sustainer of the universe; all present and all powerful. God is revealed in the Bible as a family, currently composed of the Father and the Son, ultimately to be made up of mankind. Genesis 1:1; Psalm 19:1; Psalm 50:1, Psalm 50:6-7; Isaiah 44:6; John 1:12-13; Romans 1:20; Hebrews 1:1-2; I John 3:1-2
2. Jesus Christ
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah. He has existed throughout eternity as the "Word". He became human by a miraculous birth, lived a sinless life, died for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected and ascended to heaven as our High Priest. He will return to earth to establish the Kingdom of God and to rule that kingdom as king of kings and lord of lords with his saints forever. Deut. 18:15; Matt. 17:15-17; John 1:1-14; John 3:16; Acts 2:32-33; Romans 5:8; Hebrews 4:14-15; Revelation 1:13-16
3. Bible
The whole Bible is the divinely inspired word of God, with Old and New Testaments fitting together to reveal a right way to live and God’s plan of salvation. It is the foundation of knowledge and the instruction book of life. Deut. 8:3; Isaiah 8:16; Matt. 4:4; II Timothy 3:16-17
4. Faith
Faith is the sure knowledge that God exists and will accomplish those things He has promised. Faith is the expectation of the things hoped for; the evidence of the things not seen. Romans 1:17, Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:1-3; Hebrews 11:6; James 2:17
5. Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the essence, power, mind, character, and spiritual extension of God. It is God’s gift, His presence in our life, guiding us to conversion, repentance and, at baptism, is given as a down payment (earnest) of eternal life. Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 2:16; Ephesians 1:13-14
6. Baptism
A ceremony of immersion in water based on true repentance, for the forgiveness of past sins and the acceptance of Jesus as personal savior. A baptized person becomes the adopted child of God, spiritually begotten, awaiting birth into God’s family. Matt. 19:13-15; Acts 6:5-6; I Timothy 4:14; Hebrews 6:2
7. Gospel
The gospel is the good news of the coming kingdom of God, the restoration of His government on the earth and how mankind can become members of the kingdom and the government. It includes the message of what Jesus has done, is doing, and will do and is, therefore, the central message of the entire Bible. Matt. 3:13-17; Matt. 24:14; Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 1:15; Luke 24:44-47; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:4
8. Law of God
The law of God, including the Ten Commandments, was given to man as a guide for living righteously. It reflects God’s own character and was magnified and made honorable by Jesus Christ. God’s law is perfect. converting men’s lives and leading them into wisdom and peace. Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 119:137-144; Matt. 5:17-19; Mark 16:17-19; John 14:15; Romans 7:12; I John 5:2-3
9. Sabbath
The seventh day of the week, as instituted by God at creation, reaffirmed to Israel at Mt. Sinai, and observed by Jesus , the apostles and the new testament church. The Sabbath is a perpetual sign between God and his people and its observance is basic to the Christians’ relationship with God. Genesis 2:3; Exodus 20:8-11; Exodus 31:12-17; Mark 1:21; Mark 2:27-28; Mark 6:2; Luke 4:16; Luke 4:31; Luke 23:56
10. Annual Holy Days
Annual Holy Days - High Sabbaths, were ordained by God and were kept by ancient Israel and New Testament Christians. These seven appointed feasts are a blessing to mankind and beautifully picture God’s plan of salvation for mankind. Lev. 23:1-4; Acts 2:1; Acts 12:3; Acts 20:6; Acts 20:16; Acts 27:9; I Corinthians 5:8; I Corinthians 16:8
11. Repentance
Repentance is the act of one acknowledging his sins, is moved to true sorrow and a resolve to change his life and fully obey God. True repentance is the first step toward full reconciliation with God and a first step toward ultimate salvation. Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19-21; Acts 8:22; Romans 2:4; Romans 2:11; I John 3:4
12. Resurrection
Resurrection from the dead is the hope of all mankind and the promise of God to the Christian. Four resurrections are noted in the Bible: a) the resurrection of Jesus, the first born from the dead; b) the resurrection of the saints at Christ’s return to earth; c) the resurrection back to physical life of everyone who died without the knowledge of God’s way of life; and d) the resurrection of the incorrigibly wicked to be consumed in the lake of fire (the second death). John 5:28-29; Acts 2:32; Romans 8:11; I Corinthians 15:20; I Thessalonians 4:13-17; Revelation 20:4-6; Revelation 20:3-14
13. Judgment
Judgment is the on-going process of God assessing His disciples’ life; our words, thoughts and deeds when measured against the standards set forth in the Bible. Matt. 13:49-50; I Peter 4:17; Revelation 20:15; Revelation 21:8
14. Kingdom of God
The kingdom of God is the literal, world ruling government of God , with Jesus Christ as king and the resurrected, spirit-composed saints in positions of rulership with him. Matt. 5:6; Mark 4:11; Luke 1:33; Hebrews 10:12-13; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:4; Revelation 21:1-3; Revelation 21:7; Revelation 21:10
15. Salvation
Salvation is the way God, through Jesus , saves mankind from death, the penalty of sin, and gives him eternal life. Salvation is a freely given gift of God, through his unmerited pardon (grace) of our sins. We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling as our ultimate reward is to be given according to our works. Matt. 16:27; John 3:16-17; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 6:1-2; I John 3:3; Revelation 7:14; Revelation 20:12-15
16. Angels
Before God created man, He created powerful Spirit beings that a) act as His agents and messengers, b) function as ministering spirits to help mankind attain salvation, c) have or had free moral agency. Although created to help God, some of these angels, led by Satan the devil, rebelled against God and were transformed into demons. Isaiah 14:12-15; Psalm 91:11-12; Hebrews 1:7
17. Mankind
Humans are physical beings, created in the image of God, with no inherent immortality. Although composed of flesh and blood, there is a spirit in man which makes man more than just an intelligent animal. As God’s children, mankind has the potential to become a child of God and an heir of all that God possesses. Genesis 1:26-27; Job 34:14-15; Job 32:8; Romans 8:14-17; I Corinthians 2:11; I John 5:11-13
18. Christian
A Christian, in whom dwells the Holy Spirit, is a follower of Christ. Acts 2:37-39; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:16-26
19. Tithing
Tithing is a biblical method of supporting the work of God and is a private matter between the individual and God. Lev. 27:30-32; Malachi 3:8-10; Matt. 6:21; Matt. 23:23; II Corinthians 9:7; Hebrews 7:2-9
20. Church
The church is the assembly of "called out people", the spiritual body of Christ, that have been baptized and received God’s Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 12:12-18; I Corinthians 12:27; Hebrews 5:12-14; II Timothy 3:14; I Peter 5:1-7
21. Laying On Of Hands
The laying on of hands is an act performed on special occasions, such as for the receiving of God’s Holy Spirit after baptism, at ordinations, for anointing of the sick, or other special purposes. Matt. 19:13-15; Acts 6:5-6; Acts 8:17-18; Acts 13:3; I Timothy 4:14; Hebrews 6:2
22. Healing
Healing is a miracle that God may extend to those that call upon Him in time of need, according to faith. Matt. 9:1-7; James 5:14-16