The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news of how God made a way for us to be saved from our sins by placing our faith in the finished work of Christ. It is the overarching message of the entire Bible and believing it qualifies us for salvation.
-Creation - God demonstrated His Divine wisdom, power, and love by creating the universe with enormity, complexity, order, and beauty. He created mankind as the crown of His creation, in His image as His representative, with the capacity to exercise free will and choose to love or reject God.
-Curse - Mankind chose to distrust and reject God by disbelieving and disobeying His word. This lack of confidence in God's word and character cut us off from His life and power, resulting in the curse of sin and death that has infected all creation.
-Christ - Jesus Christ is God incarnated in human form, Who came into the world He created to become the perfect, sinless representative of God to man and of man to God. By His works of power and words of life, He proved Himself to be God with us. He is the way back to God, the truth of Who God is, and the life of God able to eradicate the curse of sin and death.
-Cross - Jesus gave His life to demonstrate God's love and satisfy His divine justice. He allowed Himself to be mocked, cruelly beaten, and crucified, taking the punishment for the sin and guilt of all mankind. He died on the cross and was buried but then, just as the Scripture foretold, He rose from the dead victorious over sin and death on the third day.
-Confidence - God now offers His eternal life to everyone through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Anyone who turns away from their sins to follow Jesus, putting their confidence in His Gospel to save them, will be restored to a right relationship with God our Creator and enjoy His life forever.
If you want to learn more about or schedule a baptism, click the link below.
As Christians, we should hold ourselves to the highest standards of moral purity. We are called to excel in our morality and pursue a life of holiness.
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence... 2 Peter 1:5
"I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. "And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 6:16–7:1
God has entrusted His divine truth to the church. It is our responsibility to guard and defend it against attack.
...guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge” which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. 1 Timothy 6:20–21
...contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. Jude 3
Part of Jesus' high priestly prayer recorded in the Gospel of John, is that we are united with Him and with one another.
“For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me." John 17:19–23
Unity is a priority that must be diligently preserved.
...being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3
Leaders and members are expected to protect the church from divisive and contentious people.
Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. Romans 16:17
Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned. Titus 3:10–11
In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus gives us His three-step plan for resolving conflict and maintaining unity.
Step 1 - “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.
Step 2 - “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. “
Step 3 - If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Matthew 18:15–17
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; - 2 Timothy 3:16
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; - Colossians 4:2
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship...- Acts 2:42
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. - Colossians 3:16
...of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You. - Genesis 28:22
Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:7
...through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13
...Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. - Luke 14:23