JESUS CHRIST
Nearly 2,000 years ago, Jesus asked the question, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” (Matthew 22:42). A person’s answer to that question can determine his or her eternal destiny.
JESUS’ PREEXISTENCE
The Apostle John declares Jesus’ preexistence in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus says He is “the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 1:8). Jesus reigns eternally (Hebrews 1:8), and He exists before all things (Colossians 1:17).
JESUS’ DEITY
Jesus did not become God-He always has been God, and is the second member of the Trinity. Referring to His deity, Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58). The preexistence of Jesus Christ and the deity of Jesus Christ are inseparable. You cannot accept one and deny the other.
JESUS’ INCARNATION
The word incarnation means “in flesh.” It denoted the act in which the Son of God took to Himself the nature of humanity through the Virgin Birth (Matthew 1:23). John writes, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
JESUS’ HUMANITY
For Jesus to represent fallen humanity, He had to become a man. His Virgin Birth, which was essential for Him to be sinless, was prophesied long before it occurred (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:18, 23; Luke 1:34-35; and Galatians 4:4). Jesus experienced everything in life that we do: pain, suffering, thirst, hunger, sorrow, anger, and so on; yet, He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
JESUS’ DEATH
The penalty for our sin is death (Romans 6:23). Jesus died in our place and paid our penalty (Matthew 20:28; John 10:17-18; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18). The death of Jesus on the cross laid the foundation on which a righteous God could pardon guilty and sinful people without compromising His righteousness in any way.
JESUS’ RESURRECTION
Jesus’ resurrection assures us of our future resurrection. Because of His victory over death, we have victory as well. Without the resurrection, there would be no gospel message. His resurrection has been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt (Matthew 28:5-8; Luke 24:39; John 20:27-28). The empty tomb, the shape of His linen wrappings, and His appearances to many after His crucifixion were just a few of the credible evidence of His resurrection.
JESUS’ ASCENSION AND EXALTATION
After His resurrection, Jesus visibly departed from His disciples into heaven (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9). His ascension and exaltation were necessary to complete when He rose from the dead (Mark 16:19; Philippians 2:9; Ephesians 1:20-21; Hebrews 1:3).
JESUS’ PERSONAL RETURN
Jesus Christ will return to this earth and receive His Church, the body of Christ, to Himself (John 14:1-4; Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7).
THE BIBLE
The Bible is a book of history, science, poetry, and human behavior. Most importantly, it is a love story that reveals the heart of God through the person of His Son, Jesus Christ.
THE BIBLE IS UNIQUE
The Bible was written over a period of 1,500 years by more than 40 authors in three languages, on three continents. Rather than contradicting one another, the writers maintained 100 percent historical, moral, prophetical, and theological accuracy, writing with harmony and continuity from Genesis to Revelation.
THE BIBLE WAS INSPIRED BY GOD
The Bible was written by men (2 Peter 1:20-21) under the inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16). God exerted His supernatural influence on the writers of the Bible. In other words, God was the author and men were His writing instruments.
THE BIBLE IS TO BE READ AND STUDIED
Studying the Bible is an absolute must for Christians. The Bible instructs, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God…” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). The systematic preaching of the Bible is impossible without the systematic study of the Bible. We are not to skim a few verses in our daily Bible reading, nor are we to study a passage only when we’re about to share it. We need to immerse ourselves daily in God’s Word, like the Bereans who searched the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11).
THE BIBLE TEACHES US
To build a model airplane, we need to follow a set of instructions. Only then will the final product look like its counterpart on the box. In the same way, we need to follow God’s instruction manual for life, the Bible. Only then, will our lives reflect Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
THE BIBLE GIVES US HOPE
The Bible was “written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). We find hope through learning about God, His ways, and His plans for our lives. When we discover the promises of God, we recognize there is more to life than merely existing. We discover there is life beyond this life. Through the Bible, we obtain hope, encouragement, comfort, strength, wisdom, and much more. Best of all, we gain understanding of how to know God personally and how to live for Him righteously.
THE BIBLE GIVES DIRECTION
To find our way through the dark, we need a flashlight. Only then can we see clearly and avoid stumbling. The psalmist described God’s Word as “a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). As we allow the Bible to direct our lives, we’ll keep from stumbling and falling.
If you want to be wise, read the Bible. If you want to be safe, believe the Bible. If you want to be right, obey the Bible.
THE TRINITY
The Bible clearly teaches that there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:11; 44:6; Mark 12:29; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Ephesians 4:6; Timothy 2:5). At the same time, the Bible plainly indicates a plurality within God’s nature, consisting of three eternal and coequal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, each the same in basic nature, but distinct in existence.
Although the word “Trinity” does not appear in the Bible, the doctrine of the Trinity is a factual conclusion, reached by comparing and combining relevant scriptural truths. “We are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Holy Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit]” (1 Corinthians 2:13 AMP).
ONE OF THE BIBLE’S GREAT MYSTERIES
The Trinity is one of the great mysteries of the Bible that cannot be fathomed by the finite mind. Yet, if God were small enough to figure out, He wouldn’t be big enough to worship. The Bible tells us that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are His ways our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Though we will never fully understand the doctrine of the Trinity, there is no reasonable doubt that it is clearly taught in the Bible.
THE FATHER IS GOD
The Bible teaches that God is all-knowing (Job 37:16; Romans 11:33), all-powerful (Genesis 1:1-3; Job 42:2), all-present (Psalm 139:7-12), eternal (Exodus 3:4; Revelation 1:8), unchangeable (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17), holy (Isaiah 57:15; 1 Peter 1:15-16), righteous and just (Psalm 116:5), merciful and gracious (Psalm 103:8), and able to forgive sin (Exodus 34:6-7; Mark 2:7). The Bible ascribes these characteristics to God alone.
THE SON, JESUS CHRIST, IS GOD
The Bible ascribes the same attributes of God to His Son, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:21-23; 28:18; Luke 5:20-24; John 1:1,14; 8:58; 16:30, 17:5; Hebrews 13:8). Jesus Christ is worshiped (Matthew 14:31-33; 28:8; Hebrews 1:6); He is called God (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21-23; John 1:1,14; 20:28), and He can forgive sins (Luke 5:20-24; John 10:30-33). These attributes are ascribed to God alone.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD
The activities and characteristics of God are attributed to the Holy Spirit (Psalm 139:7-10; Luke 1:35; 11:13; John 14:26; Hebrews 9:14). The Holy Spirit is a person (John 16:13-15; Romans 8:27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; 12:11), He is Creator (Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4), and He is called God (Acts 5:1-11).
A RATIONAL, BIBLICAL CONCLUSION
For the above reasons and more, we are left with no other rational, biblical conclusion than to believe that God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit exist as a Holy Trinity: the one God of the Bible. There is no question of the existence of the Trinity, the only question is one of belief. We should want to know God, not as we think He should be, but simply as the Bible reveals Him to be.
WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
To walk with God and grow spiritually, it’s an absolute necessity to be involved in community of followers of Jesus. The Bible instructs us to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
In The New Testament, temple and synagogue are the only words that describe a building as a place of worship. Today’s church is not a building, but an assembly of people who make up the body of Christ (Colossians 1:24; Romans 16:5). The universal church consists of genuine Christian believers of all ages, both on earth and in heaven. There won’t be any denominations in heaven – only believers!
WHO IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH?
Jesus told His disciples, “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). The Bible says that the head of the church is Jesus Christ Himself (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23).