Week 1: Heart for the House
Our Beliefs
FOUR ESSENTIAL TRUTHS
1) The Bible is the Word of God.
"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach
us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in
our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches
us to do what is right."
2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
God's Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority and we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is, "What does the Bible say?" We practice daily Bible reading and Bible study. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.
2) Jesus Christ is the Son of God
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me."
John 14:6 NIV
Jesus Christ, second Person of the Trinity, lived a sinless life on earth and voluntarily paid for our sin by dying on the cross as our substitute. This accomplished salvation for all who receive grace by trusting in Him alone. He rose from the dead and is the only mediator between God and us. He baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit and will return to earth to consummate history.
3) You must be born again
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born
again, you cannot see the Kingdom
of God."
John 3:3 NLT
"When anyone becomes a Christian he becomes a new person
inside. The old passes away, a new life has begun."
2 Corinthians 5:17 LB
God created humans to have fellowship with Him, but they defied God by sinfully going their own way. As a result, we need God's saving grace to end our alienation from Him. Salvation comes only through God's grace - not human effort - and must be received personally by repentance and faith. At the end, everyone will experience bodily resurrection and the judgment. Only believers will enjoy eternal fellowship with God.
4) Believers can be Spirit filled and Spirit-led.
" . . .you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on
you..."
Acts 1:8 NIV)
"...be filled with the Holy Spirit."
Ephesians 5:18 NIV
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God's power within us. Every believer can be filled with the Holy Spirit by simply asking. We seek to practice a daily dependence on God's Spirit to enable us to do what is right.