God
There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). He is the creator of heaven and
earth, and of all living beings. He has revealed Himself to humanity as the
Father (Creator), in the son (Savior), and as the Holy Ghost (indwelling
Spirit).
Father
God is a Spirit (John 4:24). He is the Eternal One, the Creator of all
things, and the Father of all humanity by creation.
Son
Jesus is the Son of God according to the flesh (Romans 1:3) and the very God
Himself according to the Spirit (Matthew 1:23). Jesus is the Christ (Matthew
16:16); the creator of all things (Colossians 1:16-17); God with us (Matthew
1:23); God made flesh (John 1:1-14); God manifested in the flesh (I Timothy
3:16);He which was, which is, and which is to come, the Almighty (Revelation
1:8);the mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Holy
Ghost
The Holy Ghost is not a third person in the Godhead, but rather the Spirit
of God (the Creator), the Spirit of the resurrected Christ. The Holy Ghost
comes to dwell in the hearts and lives of everyone who believes and obeys
the gospel, as the comforter, Sustainer, and keeper (John 14:16-26; Romans
8:9-11).
Sin
Sin is the transgression of the law, or commandments of God (I John 3:4).
The guilt of sin has fallen upon all humanity from Adam until now (Romans
3:23). The wages of sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:14) to
all those who refuse to accept salvation as set forth in the Word of God.
Salvation
Salvation consists of deliverance from all sin and unrighteousness through
the blood of Jesus Christ. The New Testament experience of salvation
consists of repentance from sin, water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, after
which the Christian is to live a godly life (Acts 2:36-41).
Water
Baptism
Water baptism is an essential part of New Testament salvation and not merely
a symbolic ritual. It is part of entering into the kingdom of God (God's
church, the bride of Christ), and therefore, it is not merely a part of
local church membership. (See John 3:5; Galatians 3:27).
Mode
of Baptism
Water baptism is to be administered only by immersion. Paul said, "We
are buried with him [Jesus Christ] by baptism (Romans 6:4; see Colossians
2:12), Jesus came up "out of the water" (Mark 1:10), and Philip
and the eunuch went down "into the water" and came up "out of
the water" (Acts 8:38-39).
Formula
for Water Baptism
The name in which baptism is administered is vitally important, and this
name is Jesus.
Baptism
of the Holy Ghost
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the birth of the Spirit (John 3:5). This
spiritual baptism is necessary to put someone into the kingdom of God (God's
church, the bride of Christ) and is evidenced by speaking in other tongues
(other languages) as the Spirit of God give utterance.
Holiness
After we are saved from sin, we are commanded, "Go, and sin no
more" (John 8:11).
Divine
Healing
God has made Himself known through the ages by miraculous healings and has
made special provisions in the age of grace to heal all who will come to Him
in faith and obedience. Divine healing was purchased for us by the blood of
Jesus Christ, especially by His stripes (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; I
Peter 2:24).
Second
Coming of Christ
Jesus Christ is coming back to earth in bodily form, just as He went away
(Acts 1:11). He will catch away a holy people (His bride, His church) who
have accepted redemption through His blood, by birth of water and of the
Spirit, and who are found faithful when He comes.
Resurrection
There will be a resurrection of all the dead, both just and unjust.
Judgment
"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the
judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). For this reason there will be a resurrection
for everyone. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to
that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (II Corinthians 5:10).