God's plan
|
God’s original plan was for all of us to live forever, in paradise, with each other and with God.
God created the first humans and gave them everything: food, shelter, each other, and purpose--tend the garden. Genesis 2:8-9, 2:15, 2:18, 2:22 God loved the humans. He wanted them to love Him in return, so He gave them one rule. They could eat fruit from any tree in the garden, except one. If they kept the rule, they would live forever with each other and with God. If they broke the rule, they would die. Genesis 2:16-17 |
Our problem
Adam and Eve broke the rule. They ate fruit from the forbidden tree. What could God do? He had explained the rule and the consequences. They had to die! At some point, we all break God's rules. We sin. We are faced with death.
God decided to show Adam and Eve mercy. He made clothes for them out of animal skin. Then God sent them out of the garden. Genesis 3:21-24. This was the first sin, and the first time an animal died because of human sins.
Everyone capable of choosing between good and evil has sinned at some point. And sin costs us death. Romans 3:23, 6:23. God has mercy on us today--we don't die the first time we sin. But sin is the reason all people die.
God decided to show Adam and Eve mercy. He made clothes for them out of animal skin. Then God sent them out of the garden. Genesis 3:21-24. This was the first sin, and the first time an animal died because of human sins.
Everyone capable of choosing between good and evil has sinned at some point. And sin costs us death. Romans 3:23, 6:23. God has mercy on us today--we don't die the first time we sin. But sin is the reason all people die.
God's solution
Things continued this way for a long time--people obeyed God, people disobeyed God, an animal had to die, God forgave the people. The problem was still there. Our sin was still blocking God's plan. The blood of innocent animals can never take away the sins of people. Hebrews 10:4. Only the blood of an innocent person could do that. But where could an innocent, sinless person be found? Only God's son, Jesus, could resist temptation and live a sinless life. Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:22
|
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17, NLT |
Our response
Jesus' died for us so that so that we may have eternal life-- it is a gift we cannot earn. How should we respond? God tells us:
Trust. Believe that God exists, and that God loves you. Trust that Jesus' death really does forgive your sins. Trust Jesus to rescue you (be your savior), and to be in charge of your life (be your lord).
Repent. Turn away from sin and toward God. Maybe for you it's a small turn, maybe it's a big one. We all have to make it.
Be baptized. It shows God and everyone that you are committing your whole self to God--heart and soul, mind and body.
Trust. Believe that God exists, and that God loves you. Trust that Jesus' death really does forgive your sins. Trust Jesus to rescue you (be your savior), and to be in charge of your life (be your lord).
Repent. Turn away from sin and toward God. Maybe for you it's a small turn, maybe it's a big one. We all have to make it.
Be baptized. It shows God and everyone that you are committing your whole self to God--heart and soul, mind and body.
|
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) |
God's gift
|
When we take these steps to receive God's gift, here's what God does:
God forgives us: Our record is wiped clean, and we start new with God! We are forgiven of all our sins, even the ones we haven't committed yet. It's like starting life all over again. John 3:3-5 God gives us the Holy Spirit: He (the Holy Spirit) is with us to remind us of what Jesus taught, and teach us what we need to know. He comforts, encourages, and even gets us back on track when we get out of line. God adds us to the church, the family of God: We become brothers and sisters, with God as our Father. We are now identified as God's children and Christ's followers. |
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38 & 41 (NIV)
Our new life
Once we've begun this new life with God, how do we live it?
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. And love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus, in Mark 12:30-31 (NLT)
|
As we stay in step with the Holy Spirit, he produces the fruit of the spirit in us. Galatians 5:16-25
Every day is a struggle, so we need to keep on encouraging each other, and protect ourselves with spiritual armor. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 . Ephesians 6:10-18 One day the struggle will be over! Jesus will return, and everyone who has received his gift of life will live forever, with God and each other, in paradise. |
|
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!”
Revelation 21:4-5
Would you like to take your next step with Jesus? Click here to connect with us.
God and humans
|
We believe in a supernatural being, God, who created everything. And of all created things, God created human beings unique--God designed us in His image to be in relationship with Him.
Nature tells us some things about God. Something like how a work of art tells us some things about the artist--but not everything. So God tells us about Himself in the Bible. |
“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)
The Bible
|
We believe the Bible is a record of God's most direct interaction with people.
The Bible was written by at least 40 authors, between 1,400 BC and 100 AD--a time span of 1,500 years. It tells the true stories of God's involvement with humans, particularly Abraham's family (Israelites/Jews) and Christians. These many authors and numerous stories all tell about one God. This cohesiveness is impossible to fabricate or make up. We believe the Bible is inspired by God and therefore is true and accurate. |
Father, Son & Holy Spirit
|
There is one God -- in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
God the Father:
Holy Spirit: God the Holy Spirit is with us today. He teaches us and reminds us of what Jesus said. John 14:16-17, 26. Each person who believes, repents and is baptized receives the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38. The Spirit shows each Christian how to live. Galatians 5:22, 23, 25 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. Ephesians 4:3-6 (NIV) |
One Faith, One Baptism, One Body
|
One faith:
We believe that we are saved by the grace (unmerited favor) of God. To be saved, each person must receive that grace by faith. Trusting God and living in obedience to Him—is faith. John 20:30-31. Galatians 2:20. Ephesians 2:8-9. Hebrews 11:1, 6. 1 Peter 1:8-9 We encourage each other to declare (profess) faith in Jesus Christ. Matthew 10:32-33. Romans 10:9-10 Faith is shown through our actions. Specifically, actions that show we love God and love people. Mark 12:30-31. James 2:14-26. 1 John 3:16-18 |
|
One baptism:
Jesus Christ commands us, his disciples, to make disciples by teaching and baptizing. Matthew 28:18-20. We do not baptize people into this congregation. We baptize people into Christ’s one church. Baptism shows our faith—our obedient response to God’s grace. No one can do works to earn their salvation, and baptism is not a work. Ephesians 2:8-9. Baptism is an act of confession and repentance. Being baptized displays a change of heart and mind. Acts 2:37-41. Romans 6:1-8. 1 Peter 3:21. Baptize is Greek for “immerse.” We baptize believers by full immersion in water. John 3:23, Matthew 3:16, Acts 8:38-39 |
|
One body – the church
Just as a body has many different parts, the church is composed of many different Christians. To be one body:
|
Christ is the head of the church. It is his body, and he is its Savior. Ephesians 5:23 (GW)
One hope
|
One day God will judge every human being, dead and alive. Although we are saved only by faith in Jesus, each person will be judged by what he or she did in this life. God will decide each person’s eternity in heaven or hell. Romans 14:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 20:11–21:7, 22:1-5.
God has promised all Christians eternity with Him, and we are looking forward to it! John 14:1-3. Romans 6:5-8. 2 Corinthians 5:1-9. 2 Peter 3:13 In light of this, all Christians need to strive to be dead to sin and living for God. Romans 6:8-14. Galatians 6:7-10. 2 Peter 3:11-14 |
