There is one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19).  Attributes of God include but are not limited to:

• Omnipotence: All-powerful (Psalm 66:7). God has unlimited power and can do anything according to His will.

• Omniscience: All-knowing (Psalm 147:5). God possesses perfect knowledge of all things, past, present, and future.

• Omnipresence: Always present everywhere (Psalm 139:7-8). God is not limited by space and is present everywhere simultaneously.

• Holiness: Perfect in His goodness and righteousness (Isaiah 6:3). God is completely separate from sin and evil.

• Justice: Perfectly fair and righteous in His judgments (Deuteronomy 32:4).

• Goodness: Infinitely good and the source of all that is good (James 1:17).

• Faithfulness: Always keeps His promises and can be relied upon (Hebrews 10:23).

• Love: Love is the very essence of God's being (1 John 4:8).

• Mercy: Compassionate and forgiving towards those who repent (Exodus 34:6).

• Grace: Undeserved favor and love bestowed upon humanity (Romans 5:15).

• Eternal: Having no beginning and no end (Psalm 90:2).

• Immutable: Unchanging in His character and purposes (Malachi 3:6).

• Self-sufficient: Needs nothing from creation (Acts 17:25).

God created the heavens and the earth by His word, all that is seen and unseen. (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:16)

Humanity:

• God created humanity, male and female, in His image (imago Dei). (Genesis 1:27) This means we reflect God's nature in several ways, such as love, creativity, and moral reasoning.

• However, humanity also bears the consequences of sin, separating us from the fullness of God's image. (Romans 3:23)

• Sin is defined as transgressing God's law (1 John 3:4) and rebelling against His character and will. (Deuteronomy 9:7; Joshua 1:18)

• It encompasses both acts of commission (doing what God forbids) and omission (failing to do what God commands). (Romans 7:15-20)

• Sin is inherently damaging, bringing negative consequences to both the sinner and others:

  • It separates us from God, the source of all good. (Isaiah 59:2)

  • It disrupts our relationships with others, leading to brokenness, conflict, and suffering. (Romans 1:29-31)

  • It can have a corrupting influence on our hearts and minds, increasing our capacity for selfishness and evil. (Romans 6:16)

God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden. He blessed them with abundance and instructed them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The serpent tempted and deceived Eve, leading her and then Adam to disobey God's command, resulting in:

• Broken Relationship: The Fall severed the close communion humanity enjoyed with God. Shame and fear replaced innocence (Genesis 3:7-10). Separated from God, Who is the source of all good. (Isaiah 59:2)

• Curse on Creation: The harmony of creation was also disrupted. The ground became cursed, requiring toil for sustenance (Genesis 3:17-19).

• Death Entered the World: Previously unknown, death became a consequence of sin, impacting all humanity (Romans 5:12).

• Introduction of Sin: Sin, which is rebellion against God's will, entered the world through this act. Sin has corrupted humanity's nature, leading to separation from God and a propensity towards evil (Romans 5:12).

  • Sin is defined as transgressing God's law (1 John 3:4) and rebelling against His character and will. (Deuteronomy 9:7; Joshua 1:18)

  • It encompasses both acts of commission (doing what God forbids) and omission (failing to do what God commands). (Romans 7:15-20)

  • Sin is inherently damaging, bringing negative consequences to both the sinner and others:

    • It disrupts our relationships with others, leading to brokenness, conflict, and suffering. (Romans 1:29-31)

    • It corrupts our hearts and minds, increasing our capacity for selfishness and evil. (Romans 6:16)

The Gospel, meaning "good news," is the message that humanity, separated from God by sin, can be reconciled to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. (Mark 1:15)

The Gospel includes:

• The sinfulness of humanity and its universal condemnation. (Romans 3:23)

• The sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross as the perfect offering for our sin. (Romans 5:8)

• The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, demonstrating His victory over sin and death. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

• The offer of salvation and eternal life with God to all who believe in Jesus Christ and repent of their sin. (John 3:16)

• Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man. (John 1:1-4)

• Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies of a coming Messiah, a King who would establish God's reign on earth. (Isaiah 9:6-7, Matthew 2:1-6)

• He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary and born as the Son of God. (Matthew 1:18-23, Luke 1:26-35)

• He proclaimed the nearness of the Kingdom of God, characterized by justice, peace, and the presence of God. (Luke 4:43)

• He lived a sinless life. (Hebrews 4:15)

• He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. (Romans 5:8)

• He literally and physically rose from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

• He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. (Mark 16:19)

Believers are not taken immediately to heaven after salvation because God has a purpose for them on earth. That purpose is to take their place in the Church. The Church is the body of Christ, composed of all who believe in Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:13).  Our purpose as individuals, a local church, and the Church are:

• Glorifying God: We reflect God's character and love in the world through our words and actions. (Matthew 5:14-16) As we live with integrity, compassion, and love, we bring glory to God and inspire others to seek Him.

• Fulfilling God's Mission: We are called to share the Gospel with others and participate in God's redemptive work in the world. (Matthew 28:18-19) This mission includes spreading the good news of Jesus Christ, making disciples, and contributing to the transformation of society according to God's will.

• Maturity in Christ: Our time on earth allows us to grow in faith, develop Christ-like character, and be equipped for eternity. (Romans 8:28-29) Through challenges, trials, and opportunities to serve, our faith is strengthened, and we become more Christ-like in our thoughts, words, and actions.

  • As we grow in faith and become more Christ-like, we experience a deeper relationship with God. (John 14:21)

  • We experience a greater capacity to love others, reflecting God's love in the world. (1 John 4:7-8)

  • We find greater peace, joy, and purpose in life as we align ourselves with God's will. (Philippians 4:6-7)

• Serving Others: We are called to use our gifts and talents to love and serve others, building up the body of Christ (the Church) with active disciples. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:14) This encompasses acts of service, encouragement, and using our unique abilities and resources to contribute to the well-being of others and the Church community.

• Being the Light: Believers are called to be the light of the world, illuminating the darkness with God's truth and love. (Matthew 5:14-16) We serve as Christ's ambassadors, reflecting His message of hope, forgiveness, and compassion in a world that often struggles with these concepts. By living according to God's principles and sharing His love, we offer hope to others and point them toward a relationship with Him.  Though God doesn't require our help, He invites us to join Him and continue Christ’s ministry.  We are not mere bystanders but co-laborers with the Divine, bringing light to the world that desperately needs it.

The Holy Spirit helps us by:

• Indwelling Believers: The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within every believer at the moment of salvation (1 Corinthians 6:19).

• Guiding and Teaching: The Spirit guides believers in understanding God's will and truth (John 16:13). He teaches them and reminds them of Jesus' teachings (John 14:26).

• Empowering for Christian Living: The Spirit empowers believers to live according to God's will, bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and using their spiritual gifts for service (1 Corinthians 12).

• Intercession: The Spirit intercedes for believers, expressing their unspoken desires to God (Romans 8:26-27).

Jesus Christ will return to earth one day to judge the living and the dead. (Acts 1:11, Revelation 20:11-15)

Those who believe in Jesus Christ will have eternal life with God, participating fully in the established Kingdom of God. (John 3:16, Revelation 21:1-4)