Saturday, December 18, 2004

What Do You Believe? What Do You Believe? Have you ever really thought about your essential beliefs in relation to The Bible, God, Salvation, The Church, Your Mission?   I recently went through that exercise and provided below are the essentials that characterize my belief in The One True God. I believe that the scriptures - both the Old and the New Testaments - are the inspired (God Breathed), infallible word of God. The Bible is thus the final authority in all matters of belief and practice. (II Timothy 3:16-17) I believe in one true God, Creator of all things, and in the Lord Jesus Christ, His only incarnate Son, born of a virgin, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit. I believe this one true God to be a Triune God - God in three distinct persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I believe that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, died as a substitute for the sins of all mankind upon a cross, and rose from the grave three days later in a glorified body. I further believe that, after His resurrection, He ascended into heaven in full view of many witnesses, that He is presently enthroned as King at the right hand of God the father, whose command He awaits to make His return to earth, at which time every eye shall see Him. He will then raise the dead and call all people to judgment. (John 1: 1, 14; Matthew 1: 18-23; Hebrews 4:15; 11 Corinthians 5:14-15; Acts 1:9-1 1; I Peter 3:22; Revelation 1:7; John 5:28-29; 11 Timothy 4: 1; Matthew 25:31-32) I believe in salvation from sin and from judgment through Jesus Christ. I believe that I have redemption and the forgiveness of sins through His blood. I also believe that Jesus has sent His Holy Spirit to fill and indwell His people, giving power over sin and transforming the disciple into the image of Christ. I believe that this total salvation is appropriated by the individual through personal faith alone. Saving faith is, as Paul says, "faith that works through love." I believe that true and saving faith bears fruit. Among the fruits that accompany this kind of faith is repentance from sin. The absence of such fruit is evidence that no saving faith is present. (Matthew 1:21; Ephesians 1:7; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 5:6; James 2:14-17; Luke 3:8; Galatians 5:22-24) I believe in the one, holy, universal Church. All who repent of their sins and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and form the living Body of Christ, of which He is the head and all are members. (l Cor. 12:20, Col. 1: 18) I believe in the present ministry of the Spirit and that all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit belong to the church until the return of Christ. (I Corinthians 1:7) I believe in the Great Commission. As a member of the church, it is my task to help penetrate every nation with the gospel of Christ, and make disciples by teaching them to submit to His Lordship, teaching them to observe all things that He has commanded. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:47)   What are your essential beliefs?  During this holiday season - it might be a great time for each of us to review our beliefs so we can be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks about the reason for our hope. 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16 8:31:10 AM    comment []