The Bible (Scriptures)
The Scriptures in their original manuscript form are inspired by God. The Holy Spirit inspired the Bible’s authors to write the words of God. All the Scriptures were written for our instruction, encouragement, and edification.
God (Trinity)
There is one and only one living and true God. God is composed of three distinct Persons, namely the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These distinct Persons are referred to as the Trinity.
Jesus Christ is the 2nd Person of the Trinity.
Jesus is the only true God, the 2nd Person of the Trinity, and the only Savior of mankind. Jesus Christ is the ever-existing Son of God who became man without ever ceasing to be God. The Apostle John declared that Jesus is the creator of all things in heaven and earth.
Bible Names and Titles of Jesus
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- “Theos” means God. (Jesus is referred to as Theos nine times in the Bible).
- “Yeshua/Joshua” means, “the Lord saves.”
- “Lord” means lord, master, and sir.
- “Son, Son of God, and Only Begotten Son” mean that Jesus is the eternal Son of the Father. These titles indicate that Jesus shares divinity and is with God the Father.
- The word “Christ” is a title and a translation of the Hebrew term Mashiach (Messiah), meaning “the Anointed One” or “the Chosen One.” Christians believe that Jesus is the Christ who was expected to come into the world to give His life as a sacrifice for the sins of those who believe and dedicate their lives to God through Jesus.
- “I Am” is the name God gave Himself when speaking to Moses from the burning bush on Mount Sinai. This name (“I Am”) clearly indicates that Jesus is the eternal, ever-existing God.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit indwells Christians at conversion and becomes their Teacher, Helper, Advocate, and Comforter.
Man – Mankind
Man was created by God in the image and likeness of God. Adam and Eve sinned, and through them the human race inherited a sinful nature. Therefore, all mankind apart from Christ is sinful, and man’s only hope is forgiveness of sins through the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross.
Salvation – Forgiveness of Sins – Eternal Home in Heaven
The saving of people from going to hell is called salvation. Salvation is a gift from God and is received through repentance from sin and personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The moment a person decides to follow Jesus as their Lord (Boss) and Savior, they pass from spiritual death to eternal life, and their sins are forgiven.
Water Baptism
Water Baptism does not bring salvation to those who are baptized. Baptism is a symbol of one’s faith and dedication to Jesus. Babies who are baptized do not have the ability to dedicate their lives to Christ. There is no need to baptize a child because they are already accepted by God as his children.
The Bible says, “Jesus said, allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.” Apostle Matthew 19:14
The Lord’s Supper – Communion
The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is meant to be a “remembrance of the Lord’s death and sacrifice on the cross.” Believers are cautioned to examine themselves, ensuring they are submitted to Christ before partaking of Communion, so they do not partake in an unworthy manner. The bread and wine (grape juice will suffice) are symbols of the body and blood of Christ and are not actually transformed into the real blood and flesh of Jesus. It is idolatry to venerate, pray, and kneel before bread and wine.
The 2nd Commandment Given to Moses
The second commandment given to Moses strictly prohibits creating and worshipping idols or carved images of anything in heaven, on earth, or in water. It also forbids making any likeness to represent God. As Christians, you must never light candles, follow in processions in reverence to any image, say prayers to, sing songs to, or kneel down before any image, be it a statue or a painting. Many churches disobey this commandment by the display of statues and candles meant for worship of saints.
Idolatry – Disobedience to God
Moses wrote this scripture, “You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. Moses, Exodus 20:4-6
Idolatry is the worship, veneration, and service of false gods. Only God is worthy of worship.
When you decide to commit your life to God and remain obedient to Christ, you must never retain any allegiance to false religions or gods. Christians must not be influenced by a mixture of Jesus Christ and false religions.
The Second Commandment forbids making, worshiping, or serving any graven image, likeness, or idol of anything in heaven, on earth, or in the waters below. In the biblical context, Israel (Hebrews) violated this commandment while Moses was on Mount Sinai by creating and worshiping the golden calf. The command safeguards the integrity of worship by insisting that God must not be represented or approached through images that limit or misrepresent His true nature.
A very important application of the 2nd commandment, is often extended to include “idols of the heart,” such as money, reputation, technology, career, or anything that takes the place of God in one’s ultimate trust and devotion.