The faith statement is an explanation of what we believe about God and ourselves. It is particularly important for those who wish to become members of Lakeside Church. We would be interested in any comments that you may wish to make about this faith statement, especially if there are parts that are not clear or you do not understand.
We hope that the Bible verses in the footnotes will be useful. They are not exhaustive and only tend to quote one verse to support a statement even though there are many verses in the Bible that could have been used.
Basis of Faith
1. GOD
We believe that God is spirit[1], has always existed and will always exist[2]; he is infinite[3], happy[4], loving[5], morally good[6] and perfect[7]; he is just in all that he does[8], knows everything[9] including the future[10]; nothing can stop his will from being carried out[11] and he is motivated by his glory[12]. Although God in some ways, is like humans, he is very different in other ways. One way he is different is in being one God but three persons. As humans, every individual is one person, but God is so great, that although he is one individual, he is also three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit[13]. We call this the Trinity.
2. Origin of Good and Evil
God created the universe[14] for his glory, he then created the first two human beings, Adam and Eve[15], to enjoy God as the centre of their lives[16]. They were perfect, living in a perfect world[17], but they decided to put themselves at the centre rather than God, and so they sinned (rebelled against God) and deserved God's judgment[18].
This state of rebellion was passed on to every person and that is why mankind chooses to continue to rebel against God and experiences death[19]. It is also the reason for the evils of humanity[20] and the difficult world we live in[21]. The rebellion profoundly offended God and his glory, and only God, in his kindness, can remove this offence[22].
God gave the moral law (10 commandments[23]) as a way of restraining the evil but it could not solve the problem of mankind's rebellion and sin. It can tell people what is wrong but it cannot put it right[24]. It also forms the basis of a just society and tells Christians the sort of lifestyle that flows from knowing Christ[25].
3. JESUS CHRIST
God had such a passionate love for us that he did not want any to face his dreadful judgement[26]. Therefore in his love God the Father sent God the Son to be born as a man called Jesus[27]. He was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to Mary who was a virgin[28]. He was born without sin which everyone else has in their lives[29]. During his life Jesus showed his extraordinary power through miracles[30], his love for others in his miraculous healing of the sick[31] and his profound knowledge which was shown through his teaching[32]. In his thirties he was executed by the Romans by crucifixion[33]. Although death is the punishment for sin, Jesus being perfect, didn't die because of his sin but for the sins of others[34].
When Jesus was on the cross God the Father accounted human wrong to Jesus and so he was punished[35], but when God looks at us he sees all Jesus' goodness and therefore we are not punished. In other words, Jesus's goodness was swapped for our sinfulness; or to put it another way, Jesus substituted himself in our place and took our punishment[36]. The final result of Jesus' death on the cross was to take away the infinite offence to God caused by our rebellion[37]. Three days later, he physically rose from the dead, showing that the swap had worked[38]. He appeared to many people on many occasions[39]and then after a short time left this earth for heaven[40] and now he works on our behalf in heaven with God the Father[41].
4. OUR RESPONSE
This does not mean that everyone automatically escapes judgement, there is still a choice to be made[42]. The work that Jesus did on the cross needs to be applied to each individual's life. This is done by God sending his Holy Spirit to live in us[43]. This happens when the person of the Holy Spirit makes us aware of the things we have done wrong, and then we say sorry to God for putting ourselves at the centre of our lives, instead of him[44]. It also means that we recognise we deserve to go to hell[45] and that we are only accepted by God into heaven by believing in (having faith in, grabbing hold of) Jesus and what he accomplished by his death and resurrection[46].
We do not believe that God accepts us into heaven because of the good things we do[47]. This faith is a glad, heartfelt delight in God and in what God has done for us in Jesus. This faith must be in Jesus as it is only through him that we can go to heaven[48].
5. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
Once we have this faith a new life begins that changes the way we think and the way we live, which is God-centred and that leads to a life that becomes more like Christ's[49]. It also means that we know for certain that we are going to heaven when we die[50].
When we have this faith in God he puts us into a worldwide community of Christians called the Church[51], made up of all races and nations[52], of which the local Church is part. It is in the Church where: the Bible is explained to us through preaching[53]; we publicly demonstrate our belief in Christ through Baptism[54]; we remind ourselves of what Jesus has done on the cross by celebrating a simple meal (communion) of bread and a drink[55]; we care for each other[56]; we encourage each other to take delight in God (worship)[57]; we tell others about the good news (Gospel) of what has happened to us in finding Jesus[58]. These activities are evidence of a church being real[59].
6. THE FUTURE
We also believe that when we die we go to be with God in heaven[60]. When Jesus returns to earth in the future he will do so in all glory accompanied by the angels and every eye will see him[61]. We cannot predict the time of this event and therefore we need to lead faithful lives towards God so that we will not be ashamed when he comes[62]. God will judge all people on the choice they have made about Christ[63]. For those who have trusted Christ they will have eternal joy[64] for those who have rejected Christ they will be judged according to the sins they have committed which will result in eternal punishment[65]. After these things Christ will make the world instantly perfect[66] and we will have new, resurrected bodies[67]. We will live forever with increasing joy as we take delight in God throughout all eternity[68].
7. THE BIBLE
We believe we know these things from the Bible (both old and new testaments). The Bible was inspired by God and although humans were involved in writing it[69], all of it is still uniquely God's words and accurate in every way. It is also the ultimate authority for all beliefs and lifestyles[70]. Although the bible speaks plainly and we rely on its ordinary meaning we still need the Holy Spirit to help us to fully understand it[71].
BIBLE VERSES USED TO BACK UP THE BASIS OF FAITH
Please note, all verses shown are taken from the New Living Translation.
- John 4:24
- For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.
- → Read John 4 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Psalm 90:2
- Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.
- → Read Psalm 90 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Jeremiah 23:23-24
- 23 Am I a God who is only close at hand?" says the Lord. "No, I am far away at the same time. 24 Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?" says the Lord.
- → Read Jeremiah 23 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- 1 Timothy 6:15
- For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
- → Read 1 Timothy 6 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- 1 John 4:8
- But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
- → Read 1 John 4 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Psalm 100:5
- For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
- → Read Psalm 100 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Matthew 5:48
- But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
- → Read Matthew 5 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Deuteronomy 32:4
- He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!
- → Read Deuteronomy 32 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- 1 John 3:20
- Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.
- → Read 1 John 3 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Isaiah 46:9-10
- 9 Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. 10 Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.
- → Read Isaiah 46 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Ephesians 1:11
- Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
- → Read Ephesians 1 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Isaiah 48:11
- I will rescue you for my sake - yes, for my own sake! I will not let my reputation be tarnished, and I will not share my glory with idols!
- → Read Isaiah 48 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Matthew 28:19
- Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
- → Read Matthew 28 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Genesis 1:1
- In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
- → Read Genesis 1 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Genesis 1:27
- So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
- → Read Genesis 1 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Psalm 16:11
- You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
- → Read Psalm 16 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Genesis 1:31
- Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.
- → Read Genesis 1 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Romans 5:12
- When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
- → Read Romans 5 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Romans 5:18
- Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
- → Read Romans 5 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Romans 3:23
- For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.
- → Read Romans 3 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Romans 1:28-32
- 28 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. 29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents.31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. 32 They know God's justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.
- → Read Romans 1 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Genesis 3:16-19
- 16 Then he said to the woman, "I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you." 17 And to the man he said, "Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. 18 It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. 19 By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return."
- → Read Genesis 3 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Romans 5:6
- When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
- → Read Romans 5 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Exodus 20:1-17
- 1 Then God gave the people all these instructions:
2 "I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.
3 "You must not have any other god but me.
4"You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected - even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.
7 "You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
8 "Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
12 "Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
13 "You must not murder.
14 "You must not commit adultery.
15 "You must not steal.
16 "You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.
17 "You must not covet your neighbor's house. You must not covet your neighbor's wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor." - → Read Exodus 20 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Romans 5:20
- God's law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God's wonderful grace became more abundant.
- → Read Romans 5 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Romans 6:15-18
- 15 Well then, since God's grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.
- → Read Romans 6 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- 2 Peter 3:9
- The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
- → Read 2 Peter 3 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- John 3:16
- For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
- → Read John 3 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- 2 John 1:7
- I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist.
- → Read 2 John 1 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Luke 1:26-35
- 26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!"
29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 "Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!"
34 Mary asked the angel, "But how can this happen? I am a virgin."
35 The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. - → Read Luke 1 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Hebrews 4:15
- This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
- → Read Hebrews 4 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Matthew 8:23-27
- 23 Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. 24 Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"
26 Jesus responded, "Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!" Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
27 The disciples were amazed. "Who is this man?" they asked. "Even the winds and waves obey him!" - → Read Matthew 8 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Luke 8:49-56
- 49 While he was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. He told him, "Your daughter is dead. There's no use troubling the Teacher now."
50 But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed."
51 When they arrived at the house, Jesus wouldn't let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the little girl's father and mother. 52The house was filled with people weeping and wailing, but he said, "Stop the weeping! She isn't dead; she's only asleep."
53 But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died. 54 Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, "My child, get up!" 55 And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood up! Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone what had happened. - → Read Luke 8 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Matthew 7:28-29
- 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 for he taught with real authority - quite unlike their teachers of religious law.
- → Read Matthew 7 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- John 19:16-20
- 16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.
So they took Jesus away. 17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). 18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19 And Pilate posted a sign over him that read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." 20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it. - → Read John 19 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Mark 10:45
- For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.
- → Read Mark 10 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Galatians 3:13
- But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
- → Read Galatians 3 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- 1 Peter 2:24-25
- 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.25 Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.
- → Read 1 Peter 2 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Hebrews 9:28
- so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.
- → Read Hebrews 9 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Romans 4:25
- He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.
- → Read Romans 4 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- 1 Corinthians 15:6
- After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.
- → Read 1 Corinthians 15 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Luke 24:50-51
- 50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven.
- → Read Luke 24 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Romans 8:34
- Who then will condemn us? No one - for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us.
- → Read Romans 8 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Acts 16:30-31
- 30 Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household."
- → Read Acts 16 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Romans 8:11
- The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
- → Read Romans 8 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Galatians 3:1-6
- 1 Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ's death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. 2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. 3 How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? 4 Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it? 5 I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ. 6 In the same way, "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith."
- → Read Galatians 3 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- 2 Corinthians 7:9-10
- 9 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
- → Read 2 Corinthians 7 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Romans 3:9-18
- 9 Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. 10 As the Scriptures say, "No one is righteous - not even one. 11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God.12 All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one." 13 "Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies. Snake venom drips from their lips." 14 "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." 15 "They rush to commit murder. 16 Destruction and misery always follow them. 17 They don't know where to find peace." 18 "They have no fear of God at all."
- → Read Romans 3 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Romans 10:9-13
- 9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced." 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
- → Read Romans 10 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Ephesians 2:8-9
- 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
- → Read Ephesians 2 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- John 14:6
- Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
- → Read John 14 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
- → Read 2 Corinthians 5 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Romans 8:31-39
- 31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one - for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one - for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us.
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. - → Read Romans 8 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Acts 2:41-47
- 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day - about 3,000 in all.
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity - 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. - → Read Acts 2 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Revelation 7:9-10
- 9 After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 10 And they were shouting with a mighty shout, "Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!"
- → Read Revelation 7 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- 1 Timothy 4:13
- Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.
- → Read 1 Timothy 4 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Acts 8:12
- But now the people believed Philip's message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.
- → Read Acts 8 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
- 23 For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me." 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people - an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it." 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until he comes again.
27 So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. 29 For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God's judgment upon yourself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.
31 But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way. 32 Yet when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned along with the world. - → Read 1 Corinthians 11 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- John 13:35
- Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
- → Read John 13 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Ephesians 5:19
- singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.
- → Read Ephesians 5 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- Matthew 28:18-20
- 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
- → Read Matthew 28 at Bible Gateway
- ↑ Back up to Belief Statement
- 2 Peter 2:1
- But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.
- → Read 2 Peter 2 at Bible Gateway
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- Luke 23:43
- And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."
- → Read Luke 23 at Bible Gateway
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- Matthew 24:30-31
- 30 And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world - from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
- → Read Matthew 24 at Bible Gateway
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- Revelation 1:7
- Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him - even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!
- → Read Revelation 1 at Bible Gateway
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- Matthew 23:36
- I tell you the truth, this judgment will fall on this very generation.
- → Read Matthew 23 at Bible Gateway
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- Hebrews 9:27
- And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment
- → Read Hebrews 9 at Bible Gateway
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- Romans 8:1
- So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
- → Read Romans 8 at Bible Gateway
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- Revelation 21:3-4
- 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, God's home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 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."
- → Read Revelation 73 at Bible Gateway
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- Matthew 25:45-46
- 45 "And he will answer, 'I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.' 46"And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life."
- → Read Matthew 25 at Bible Gateway
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- Revelation 21:1
- Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.
- → Read Revelation 21 at Bible Gateway
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- 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
- 42 It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. 43 Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.44 They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.
- → Read 1 Corinthians 15 at Bible Gateway
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- John 3:15
- so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
- → Read John 3 at Bible Gateway
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- Hebrews 1:1
- Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.
- → Read Hebrews 1 at Bible Gateway
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- 2 Timothy 3:15-17
- 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 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. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
- → Read 2 Timothy 3 at Bible Gateway
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- 2 Peter 1:20-21
- 20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
- → Read 2 Peter 1 at Bible Gateway
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