The author(s) who contribute on this site will believe these essential doctrines of the Christian faith. There may be differences on other doctrinal matters, but there will be unity on these beliefs.
The God of Israel, Yahweh (YHWH), is the one true God, Creator of all things, seen and unseen. He eternally and simultaneously exists as three distinct and equal Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. – Genesis 1:1; John 10:30; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Colossians 1:15-17
YHWH the Father is the Creator. He is the one to whom all creation is accountable. He righteously rules over all things, and He loves the world He created. He does not desire that anyone should perish in their sins, but that all would receive eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ. – Deuteronomy 14:1-2; Isaiah 63:17-17, 64:8-9; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16; Ephesians 1:3; James 1:17; 2 Peter 3:9
YHWH the Son is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He is the unique, uncreated Son of God. He voluntarily became human, yet still remained God, was conceived by the Holy Spirit within the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, and died an atoning, sacrificial, substitutionary death on a cross so that the sins of all mankind could be forgiven and relationship with the Father could be restored. On the third day after his death, the Father raised Him from the grave, and after showing Himself to His disciples, He ascended back to heaven where He intercedes for us as mediator before the Father and waits to return. – Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22, 8:28; John 1:14, 8:58; Romans 8:34, 10:9-10; Hebrews 11:24-26; 1 John 5:10
YHWH the Holy Spirit is the Person of God who is eternally sent by the Father and the Son to work out YHWH’s plans and purposes. He was present at Creation, hovering over the waters. He was sent powerfully to kings and prophets to empower them and make known YHWH’s will. He inspired the Scriptures through the writings of faithful men. He baptizes men and women into the Body of Christ, regenerating their hearts and resurrecting their spirits. The Son baptizes believers with the Holy Spirit to equip them with power to witness and gifts that build up the Church. – Genesis 1:2; Psalm 33:6; Matthew 3:11; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, 12:1-11; 2 Peter 1:21
The Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, are YHWH’s authoritative and inspired Word. Its teachings are cohesive, contain no actual contradictions, and in their original manuscripts contained no errors regarding its teachings about origins, redemptive history, prophecy, and salvation. It is a complete work and itself forbids any further additions or subtractions from its body of writings. It is the ultimate and final authority on all matters of belief and conduct. – Psalm 19:7-8; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12
YHWH created humans to be His imagers and co-rulers. He gave Adam and Eve dominion over the earth and told them to be fruitful and multiply, spreading His image all over the world. But Adam and Eve were successfully tempted by the serpent, a rebelling spiritual being, to disobey YHWH. Their sin brought death to themselves and to all subsequent humanity. Their fellowship with YHWH was broken and sin separated them from their Creator. Ever since, men and women have been born spiritually dead, unable to have a relationship with YHWH, and in need of salvation. – Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7,18-25, 3:1-7, 22-24; Romans 3:23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3
Salvation is a work of YHWH, not of human effort. It is received by His grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. People cannot enter YHWH’s kingdom apart from receiving the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ by faith in Him and repentance from sins. – John 1:12-13; Romans 5:1-11; Ephesians 2:4-10
The Church is made of men and women who have received salvation. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and all subsequent leadership within the Church flows from His authority alone. The Church is the temple of YHWH on earth because the Holy Spirit indwells each member. The mission of the Church is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to demonstrate the power of YHWH by the Holy Spirit showing compassion, living righteously, and doing justice. – 1 Corinthians 3:16, 12:27; Ephesians 2:21-22; 1 Peter 2:5
Jesus Christ will personally and visibly return to gather His Church to Himself, resurrect the dead, usher in His Kingdom, and bring redemption and judgment to completion. Once judgment is complete, new heavens and a new earth will be created, where YHWH will dwell directly with His people. There will be no more death, no more pain, no more tears, and YHWH’s glorified people will live with Him forever. – Matthew 24:42-44, Philippians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 19:11-16
Human sexuality and gender identity are matters which fall under the authority of Scripture to dictate our belief and practice. Therefore, we believe any sexual behavior outside the boundaries of a marriage between a man and a woman is sinful and should not be practiced. Likewise, one’s biological gender at birth is YHWH’s sovereign choice for that person, and is His will for that person. Attempts to redefine ones gender to something other than his or her biological gender is outside of YHWH’s design and is sinful. We recognize that not all professing Christians are unified around this interpretation and application of Scripture’s teaching. Disagreement with other’s beliefs regarding these matters, on the part of the people who contribute to this blog, will be handled gently, with compassion and dignity, but without compromise.
The section on human sexuality and gender identity has been included with an asterisk because while these are important matters of biblical interpretation, we cannot unequivocally say that those who disagree with the position of our authors are not Christians. However, we do believe they are in grave error that can lead people to believing a false gospel, hence we will walk in humility, but not compromise on this matter.
Recent Articles
