The following is what “unifies us” and “sets us apart” from the rest…
GOD:
-There is only one true GOD, who exists co-equally and eternally in three persons:
– GOD the father
– GOD the son Jesus Christ
– GOD the holy spirit
– GOD created everything in existence from nothing for His pleasure and purpose
The Person and the Work of Jesus Christ:
-Jesus is GOD the Father’s One and Only Begotten Son who is Equal and one with GOD the Father and with GOD the Holy Spirit, thus existing forever and possessing all the attributes of GOD the Father and GOD the Holy Spirit.
-Jesus took on our punishment so that we would not have to face it ourselves. The particular act of Jesus taking on our punishment is also known as “PROPITIATION.”
-To propitiate is to conciliate or to appease. This means that the just wrath of GOD toward our sin and punishment thereof was poured out not on us but on Jesus.
-Jesus was buried in a tomb and resurrected from the dead three days after His death.
– By raising from the dead: Jesus proved that He was the promised Messiah.
-After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead He spent forty days on earth, appearing to many people, then ascended into heaven to the right hand of GOD the Father as our High Priest.
-Jesus will return imminently to the earth to judge the living and the dead. He will then reign as KING forever and ever.
-GOD the father, GOD the son Jesus Christ and GOD the holy spirit.
The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of the Godhead, or Trinity. He is equal and one with GOD the Father and GOD the Son as referenced by His power, His work in creation and His omnipresence.
-Before Jesus’ ascension into heaven He promised that the Holy Spirit would be sent to His followers. On the day of Pentecost this promise was fulfilled as the Holy Spirit did descend upon the followers of Jesus and continues to be fulfilled today as the Holy Spirit is active in the world.
Scripture:
-The Holy Bible, which is made up of the 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament, is the word of GOD written by men who were prompted to do so by the Holy Spirit. It is GOD-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of GOD will be prepared to do good works.
-The Bible is living, active and powerful, able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. It is perfect in restoring to the soul.
-The Bible is the primary way to know GOD and is the Way of life.
-The Bible’s words are pure, true, inerrant in their original writings and infallible. “We are to do what it says.”
-The Word of GOD is for everyone, and thus should be spread. When someone hears it, it does not return void. It is the Bible that leads sinners to Christ and subsequently to eternal life.
-We are not to add to the Word of GOD or take away from it.
Man, Sin and Total Depravity:
-Man is created in the image of GOD. After GOD created man, He said that everything He created was “very good.”
-GOD clearly gave man one simple command upon his creation: “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” Man disobeyed GOD’S command, thus sinning against Him.
-Because of Man’s original sin, man is totally depraved and completely unable to save himself from sin or it’s consequences.
–This faith in Jesus is received by hearing His Word.
-Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.
-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!”
It’s simply acknowledging that you are a sinner who needs the forgiveness of GOD in your life so that you can be restored in Him and that the only way for that to happen is fully rest in the fact that what Jesus did for you took care of everything and begin to follow Him.