My Beliefs My Beliefs
I believe the Bible is the Word of God, supernaturally inspired, and that it is inerrant in the original manuscripts and preserved by God in its verbal, plenary inspiration, so that it is a divinely authoritative standard for every age and every life.
I believe the Godhead exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and that these three are one God.
I believe God is the absolute and sole Creator of the universe, and that creation was by divine feat, not through evolutionary process.
I believe God, by His sovereign choice and out of His love for men, sent Christ into the world to save sinners.
I believe Jesus Christ in the flesh was both God and man, that He was born of a virgin and that He lived a sinless life. He taught and wrought mighty works, wonders and signs exactly as revealed in the four Gospels. Jesus was crucified, died as a penalty for our sins, and was raised from the dead bodily on the third day. Jesus ascended to the Father's right hand where He is head of the church and intercedes for believers, and from whence he is coming again personally, bodily, visibly to this earth to set up His millennial kingdom.
I believe since in His death, by His shed blood, the Lord Jesus Christ made a perfect atonement for sin, redeeming us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. Men are saved and justified on the simple and single ground of the shed blood.
I believe such salvation, with its forgiveness of sins, its impartation of a new nature and its hope of eternal life, is entirely apart from good works, baptism, church membership or man's effort. Salvation is of pure grace.
I believe a true believer is eternally secure, that he cannot lose his salvation, but that sin may interrupt the joy of his fellowship with God and bring the loving discipline of his Heavenly Father.
I believe all who receive Christ become joint-heirs with Christ; at death, their spirits depart to be with Christ in conscious blessedness. At the rapture, their bodies will be raised to the likeness of the body of His glory and dwell forever in divine presence.
I believe it is the goal of every Christian to grow in spiritual maturity through obedience to the Word of God and the indwelling Spirit.
I believe the Holy Spirit is God and possesses all the divine attributes. He indwells all believers, baptizing and sealing all believers at the moment of their salvation. He fills them in response to confession of sin and repentance.
What do you think it takes for someone to get to heaven? Is it luck? Good deeds? Nothing at all? Or is there something more? The Bible has the real answer to this question. It's a matter of FAITH.
F stands for FORGIVENESS. We cannot have eternal life without God's forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7a says, "In Him (Jesus Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins."
A is for AVAILABLE. Forgiveness is available for all. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." But forgiveness is not automatic. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven," says Matthew 7:21a.
I is for IMPOSSIBLE. It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven because of who He is and because of who we are. God is loving and just, but His judgment is against sin. James 2:13a says, "Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful." We are sinful people. Romans 3:23 tells us, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
T is for TURN. To turn means to repent. We can repent -- or turn -- from our sin and from ourselves. "But unless you repent, you too will all perish," Luke 13:3b says. We can also turn to Someone. Trust Christ alone. Romans 10:9 tells us how: "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
H is for HEAVEN. Heaven is eternal life. Here, that means life "to the full:" "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10b)." In the hereafter, it means the promise of heaven: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am (John 14:3)."
So how can a person have God's forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord? By trusting in Christ and asking Him for forgiveness. Take the step of faith described by another meaning of FAITH: Forsaking All I Trust Him.
You do this through a simple prayer reflecting your desire for Christ to change your life. You don't need fancy words--only an honest heart. You can pray something like this:
Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and have displeased You in many ways. I believe You died for my sin, and only through faith in Your death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I want to turn from my sin and ask You to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day on, I will follow You by living a life that pleases You. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen.
Accepting Christ is just the beginning of a wonderful adventure with God! Get to know Him better in a number of ways:
Follow Christ's example in baptism.
Join a church where you can worship God and grow in your faith.
In your church, get involved in Sunday School and Bible study.
Begin a daily personal worship experience with God where you study the Bible and pray.
Id love to hear from you -- Please feel free to ask me any questions you have about becoming a Christian, or tell me about your decision to follow Jesus Christ. Please let me know how I can serve you by sending me an e-mail to weird_brad@hotmail.com.
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