GOD: There is one true God, the Creator of the universe, including mankind. He eternally exists in the three persons of the Trinity - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

JESUS: Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the eternal and living Word, who became man, being born into this world through the virgin, Mary. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and our salvation. We receive forgiveness of sins by turning to Him in faith. He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father. He is the only mediator between man and God.

THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Holy Spirit has come into the world to reveal and glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to men. His fullness, power and control are appropriated in the believer's life by faith. Every believer is called to live a holy and fruitful life by the power of the indwelling Spirit.

BIBLE: The Bible is the inspired, infallible and authoritative Word of God.

CREATION: The world was created by God as expressed in the Genesis account of creation. The Bible tells of earth's creation but is not a scientific explanation of origins. The book of Genesis is a factual presentation of events and establishes a framework on which modern science can build. This scientific research based upon Scripture is called Creationism and spans the questions of the origins and history of the earth, life, human beings and the universe.

MANKIND: Man is created in the image of God. He sinned by disobeying God and earned death. All mankind's nature is corrupt and it is impossible for any person to make themselves acceptable in God's sight. Every person is in need of regeneration by the Holy Spirit.

SALVATION: The salvation of mankind is wholly a function of God's grace and is not the work, in any degree, of human works, goodness or religious activity. God asserts His righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation. As a result, God declares them right in His sight. Each person must be born again of the Holy Spirit and can be assured of their salvation immediately upon trusting Christ as Savior.

OUR COMMISSION: Jesus Christ commands all believers to be involved in the making of disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything Christ commanded. His purposes require that all worldly and personal ambitions be subservient to Him. This is true discipleship.

Phillip E. Graf