The holy Scriptures, Old and New
Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by inspiration through holy men
of God who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word,
God has committed to man the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy
Scriptures are the infallible revelation of his will. They are the standard of
character, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and
the trustworthy record of God’s acts in history.
The
sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament make up the Holy Scriptures. God has given us the Bible
to reveal his will and to point us to salvation. Scripture is:
ØThe source of the knowledge essential for salvation. 2
Timothy 3:16-17
ØThe revealer of right doctrine and
God’s will. John 17:17; Isaiah 8:20
ØThe record of
God’s dealings with mankind. 1 Corinthians 10:11
ØAll Scripture is Christ-centered. John
5:39-40
The Bible is God’s
inspired and infallible message to humanity and must be studied with his
guidance. We must not add to or subtract from it.
ØThe Scriptures bear God’s authority,
not man’s. 2 Peter 1:20-21
ØHuman beings need the Holy Spirit’s
guidance to understand God as he is revealed in Scripture. 1 Corinthians 2:9-14
ØWe should study all parts of the Bible
to find truth. Luke 24:27,44
ØDaily Bible study is important to keep
us from deception. Acts 17:11
2.
THE TRINITY
There is one God: Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above
all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known
through his self-revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and
service by the whole creation.
There is only one
God, yet we know him as three persons who are revealed in Scripture as the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Bible makes no attempt to resolve the
riddle of the Trinity, the three in one.
ØThe Lord is one God. Deuteronomy 6:4
ØAll three persons were involved in
creation. Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1, 14
ØAll three persons were evident at
Jesus’ baptism. Matthew 3:16-17
ØThe Apostolic blessing acknowledge of
three persons. 2 Corinthians 13:14
God is beyond our
comprehension, but he has chosen to make himself known to those who seek him.
ØWe must seek God to know him. Jeremiah
29:13
ØSeeking God should be our first
priority. Matthew 6:33
ØGod’s ultimate revelation of himself
is in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1-2; John 1:18, 14:9
God is all-wise, all sufficient, and is worthy of our
worship. He is:
ØEternal- He has always existed and
always will. Psalm 90:2
ØOmnipresent- He is everywhere at all
times. Psalm 139:7-10
ØOmnipotent- He is all powerful.
Matthew 19:26
ØOmniscient- He knows all, and is
especially interested in humanity. Isaiah 46:9-10, Matthew 6:8
ØImmutable- He does not change. James
1:17
ØInterested in each person and the
small details of life. Matthew 10:29-30
ØWorthy of worship. Revelation 4:11
3.
THE FATHER
God the Eternal Father is the Creator,
Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful
and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also
revelations of the Father.
God the Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer and
Ruler of all creation. He is in no sense detached or aloof from his created
beings and their needs but daily gives them life.
ØHe created all things. Genesis 1:1;
Revelation 4:11
ØHe is the source of all life. Acts
17:28-29; Psalm 36:9
ØHe sustains all life. Psalm 104:27-30
ØHe is Sovereign over all the universe
for all eternity. 1 Corinthians 15:28
ØHe abounds in love and faithfulness.
Deuteronomy 7:9; Exodus 34:6
God’s holiness and
justice which requires that sinners be destroyed are mingled with his love,
mercy, and grace that make forgiveness and salvation available to all who will
receive them.
ØHe is just, holy, and merciful. Exodus
34:7
ØHe extends his grace to us. 1 John
1:9; John 3:16
The characteristics
of the Father are also seen in the Son and Holy Spirit.
ØThe Father’s character is revealed by
Jesus. John 14:9; Hebrews 1:2-3
ØThe Holy Spirit reveals the Father and
Son to us. John 16:13-15
4.
THE SON
God the eternal Son became incarnate
Jesus Christ. Through him all things were created, the character of God is
revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged.
Forever truly God, he became also truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived
of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced
temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and
love of God. By his miracles he manifested God’s power and was attested as
God’s promised Messiah.
4.
THE SON CONTINUED
He suffered and died voluntarily on
the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended
to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in
glory for the final deliverance of his people and the restoration of all
things.
God demonstrated his
concern for humanity by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, to
live on earth as a human being to save us.
ØHe was conceived of the Holy Spirit
and born of a virgin. Luke 1:26-27, 35
ØHe is truly God and truly human.
Colossians 1:15-16
ØHe is our Creator. John 1:1-3, 10, 14;
Colossians 1:15-16
ØHe is our Saviour
and our Judge. Romans 6:23; John 3:16; 5:22
While on earth, Jesus
gained victory over Satan, revealed God’s true character, and died for us.
ØHe experienced temptation, but did not
sin. Hebrews 4:15; John 3:5
ØHe demonstrated the power of God. John
6:14, 20:30-31
ØHe perfectly exemplified God’s
character. John 14:9
ØHe voluntarily died in our place for
our sins. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Jesus rose from the
dead, returned to heaven, and will come again in glory to take his people to be
with him.
ØHis resurrection assures eternal life
to all who accept him as Saviour. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
ØHe is now serving as our high priest
in heaven. Hebrews 7:25, 8:1-2, 9:24
ØHe will come again to deliver his
people. Acts 1:10-11; John 14:1-3
ØHe will restore the earth to its
original perfection. Revelation 21:1
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