“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” (1 Cor. 12:12 NKJV)

Over the last few days I have shared  “We believe” foundational statements held by Bible believing evangelical Christians.

Here is another one

We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and that all true believers are members of His body, the church.

You are the body of Christ

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Cor. 12:27 NIV)

The church is His body

“God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.” (Eph. 1:22-23 NLT)

"The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds.” (Rev. 20:13 NLT)

Over the last few days I have shared  “We believe” foundational statements held by Bible believing evangelical Christians.

Here is another one

We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation and eternal punishment.

The dead shall be raised imperishable

“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O death, where is your victory?

 "O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:51-57 ESV)

Anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire

“And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:11-15 NLT)

“After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31 NLT)

Over the last few days I have shared  “We believe” foundational statements held by Bible believing evangelical Christians.

Here is another one

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, whose indwelling enables the Christian to live a godly life.

You can only understand spiritual things with the Spirit

“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” (1 Cor. 2:14 NIV)

Keep in step with the Spirit

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Gal. 5:16-18 ESV)

You receive power with the Holy Spirit

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NIV)

The Spirit makes you “born again”

“Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’” (John 3:5-8 ESV)

The Spirit of God dwells in you

“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” (Rom. 8:9 ESV)

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12 NIV)

Over the last few days I have shared  “We believe” foundational statements held by Bible believing evangelical Christians.

Here is another one

We believe that all men everywhere are lost and face the judgment of God, that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation, and that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ results in regeneration by the Holy Spirit. Furthermore we believe that God will reward the righteous with eternal life in heaven, and that He will banish the unrighteous to everlasting punishment in hell.

All have sinned

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.” (Rom. 4:23 NLT)

Forgiveness in Jesus Name

“He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning  at Jerusalem’”. (Luke 24:46-47 NIV)

No one comes to the Father except through Jesus

“Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6 NLT)

All must appear before the judgement seat of Christ

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Cor. 5:10-11 ESV)

We are saved through the blood of Jesus

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (Eph. 1:7 NIV)

We are saved through grace by faith

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9 ESV)

We are saved by His mercy

“But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made Heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7 NASB)

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'" (Matt. 1:23 NLT)

Over the last couple of days I shared  “We believe” foundational statements held by Bible believing evangelical Christians.

Here is another one

We Believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood on the cross, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.

Jesus himself is the creator who made all things

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:1-4 ESV)

Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world

“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 ESV)

Jesus did mighty signs and wonders

 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” (Acts 2:22-24 ESV)

Jesus was without sin

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor. 5:21 ESV)

Jesus was buried and raised again

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” (2 Cor. 15:3-4 ESV)

Jesus was in the form of God

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:5-11 ESV)

Jesus is heir of all things

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” (Heb. 1:1-4 ESV)

Jesus is at the right hand of God

“Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Rom. 8:34 NIV)

Jesus is our High Priest

“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” (Heb. 4:14 NLT)

Jesus will be coming again the same way He left

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11 NIV)

 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 28:19 NASB)

Yesterday I shared the first “We believe” foundational statement held by Bible believing evangelical Christians.

Here is another one

We Believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Cor. 13:14 NLT)

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph. 4:16 NIV)

“I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30 KJV)

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.” (Matt. 3:16 NIV)

The Trinity is taught in both the Old and the New Testaments

It is taught by implication in the Old and by direct statement in the New. In the first book of the Bible, God is referred to as “us” and “our”.

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” (Gen. 1:26 ESV)

All Three Persons are called God in different places in the Bible

Father — “Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.” (Gal. 1:1 NIV)

Son — “Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28 NIV)

Spirit — “Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.’” (Acts 5:3-4 NIV)

All three Persons are associated together on an equal basis in numerous passages:

• Jesus' baptism— voice of the Father, Son baptized, Spirit descending like a dove. (Matt. 3:13-17)
• Salvation— chosen by the Father, sanctified by the Spirit, sprinkled with the blood of Jesus. (1 Peter 1:2)
• Sanctification— grace of the Lord Jesus, love of God, fellowship of the Holy Spirit. (2 Cor. 13:14)
• Christian Baptism— baptized in one name, yet three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19
• Prayer— strengthened by his Spirit, know the love of Christ, filled with the fullness of God. (Eph. 3:14-21)
• Christian Growth— chosen by God, loved by the Lord, sanctified by the Spirit. (2 Thes. 2:13)

 “Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-42 NIV)

Most people will tell you they are “Christians”, but if you press them to explain what they believe as followers of Christ, most can’t say for certain. This is unfortunate, because, If you don’t know what you believe, you will be doctrinally weak and can be led astray by error. Most churches have “What we believe” statements regarding their doctrinal positions, but, most church attendees don’t ask, so they don’t know what they are.

Ignorance can hurt you!

“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” (2 John 1:6 NIV)

Cults only exist because their followers are not grounded in solid foundational Bible truths.

You must know what you believe!

Over the next few days I will share the “we believe statements” held by most Bible believing evangelical Christians. Here is the first one.

We believe

In the Bible as originally given by God, divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy; and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

It is the Word of God

“Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn't think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God--which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe. (1 Thes. 2:13 NLT)

It is Inspired by 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. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17 NLT)

 “… I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” (2 Tim. 1:12 NKJV)

You can be confident

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 1:6 NASB)

“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Eph. 3:13 NIV)

You can be steadfast

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (2 Cor. 15:58 NASB)

And you can be sure of this...

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6 ESV)

“’Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.’” (John 5:28-29 NIV)

Jesus holds the keys

“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Rev. 1:18 NIV)

Jesus is the life

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’” (John 11:25 NIV)

We are citizens of Heaven

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Phil. 3:20-21 NIV)