Christian Essentials

• The Bible is God’s perfect and powerful word to human beings. It is the ultimate standard for faith and life.
• The one true God exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• The first human being was created in God’s image to rule over God’s creation and enter into his rest (eternal life).
• By breaking God’s law, the first human being failed to earn eternal life. This original sin led to the guilt and corruption of all humanity.
• God the Father sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world to rescue his sinful people. He is fully God and fully human.
• God the Son obeyed the law perfectly and offered himself as a sacrifice for the sins of his people. God the Father accepted the sacrifice by raising him from the dead. This work of God is called the gospel.
• God the Holy Spirit enables his people to believe the gospel and applies the blessings of salvation.
• Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
• The gospel is a means towards a greater end: restoring God’s image in his people and enabling them to enter his eternal rest.
• God’s people demonstrate their thankfulness by seeking to obey God’s law which is summarized in the Ten Commandments.