beliefs

Here's a summary of what and why I believe:

• I believe in the authority of the triune Godhead, consisting of:
  • God the Father, who is Spirit (John 4:24)
  • God the Son, who is Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, or God-with-us (Matthew 1:23, John 1, John 3:16)
  • God the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to manifest God's power (I Corinthians 12) and God's fruit (Galatians 5:22-23)
• I believe God is the Creator of Heaven and Earth (Genesis 1:1)
• I believe God spoke to holy men by His Spirit who then wrote the Word of God (II Peter 1:21, II Timothy 3:16). The Bible, as God gave it, is infallible and without error (John 17:17). It is the ultimate authority on all subjects, especially pertaining to God's instruction and will for our lives (II Timothy 3:17)
• I believe man was created perfect, but, when given a choice, decided against God and fell into sin and sin-nature, for which the penalty is death (Genesis 3, Romans 6:23)
• I believe God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to experience humanity, live a sinless, exemplary life, and take the penalty for all of humanity's sin and sin-nature. It is through Christ and only through Christ that one becomes right with God (John 14:6, Romans 10:9-10)
• I believe the Holy Spirit is our comforter, our teacher, and our guide (John 14:26, 15:26), and that He continues to operate through believers in demonstration of power as confirmation of the written Word (I Corinthians 2:4)
• I believe we have the right to know and understand all of the Scriptures (II Peter 1:19-20)
• I believe we have the right to know about and experience all the power of God through the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12-14)