Prison Ministry - What a Christian Believes, and Why

 

As a Christian we need to know what we believe and why we believe it.  In establishing these beliefs, unless the doctrinal teachings of a Church are based 100% upon the Holy bible they are of no value.

 

I have listed the essential doctrines found in the 1stCentury Church, and where they are taught in the Word of God.

 

HOLY BIBLE - I believe that the Holy Bible, and only the Bible, is 100% the Word of God.  It, alone, is the final authority in determining all Doctrinal Truths.  The Holy Bible says - Look up the following Scriptures - 2 timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1: 20-21; Proverbs 30: 5, and Romans 16: 25-26.

 

TRINITY - The Doctrine of the Trinity or Tri-unity is that in one God there are three distinct persons.  The Father, The Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit.  They are all of the same substance, and are co-equal and co-eternal. The Word of God says - Look up the following Scriptures - Genesis 1:26; Matthew 28: 19; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9: 6, and Hebrews 3: 7-11.

 

JESUS CHRIST - I believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son, the 2nd person of the Trinity. On earth he was 100% God and 100% man. He was the only man ever to live a sinless life.  The Word of God says - Look up the following Scriptures - John 1: 1,14; John 20: 28; 1 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Phil. 2: 5-6, and 1Timothy 2:5.

 

VIRGIN BIRTH - Jesus Christ was conceived by God the Holy Spirit (the 3rd person of theTrinity) in the Virgin Mary's womb.  He is called the Son of God because He was conceived by God the Holy Spirit.  The Bible teaches that - Look up the following Scriptures - Matthew 1: 18, 20; Luke 1:35, Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23, and Luke 1: 27-35.

 

REPENTANCE - The commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ. The Bible says -Look up the following Scriptures - Acts 2:38, and Acts 3:19.

 

SANCTIFICATION -  The ongoing process of yielding to God in order to complete the development of Christ's character in us.  The Bible says this - Look up the following Scriptures - 1 Thess. 5: 23; 2 Cor. 6: 14-18; 2 Thess. 2: 1-3; 2 Cor. 3:18; Romans 8: 29, 12: 1-2, and Hebrews 2:11.

 

SALVATION -  We are saved by grace (which is undeserved and unearned) through faith in Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not as a result of our good works or any human efforts.  The Word of God teaches - Look up the following Scriptures - Ephesians 2: 8-9; Galatians 2: 16; Titus 3: 5; Galatians 3:8; Romans 10: 9-10; Acts 16: 31, and Hebrews 9: 22. 

 

CHRIST'S BLOOD - The Blood that Jesus Christ shed on the Cross of Calvary was sinless and is 100% sufficient to forgive man of all sins.  Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for the sins we had committed, enabling all mankind to be free from the penalty of sin (which is death).  The Bible tells us - Look up the following Scriptures - 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5; Col. 1: 20; revelation 5:9; Romans 3: 10 - 12, 23, 5:9, and John 1:29.

 

CHRIST INDWELLS ALL BELIEVERS -  A Christian is a person who has invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come and live inside of him.  He is putting his trust in what Christ has accomplished for him when He died, was buried and rose again from the dead.  The Holy Bible says - Look up the following Scriptures - John 14: 17; John 14: 23; John 1: 12; John 15: 4; Revelation 3:20, and Romans 8:11.

 

RESURRECTION -  I believe that Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross.  One day all believers in Christ will also be physically resurrected in their glorified bodies to their eternal reward in Heaven with God.  The Bible teaches - Look up the following Scriptures - Luke 24: 36, 39; Phil. 3: 21; 1 Cor. 15: 42, 44; John 20: 26-28; John 21: 4; Luke 24: 16; Phil. 1: 21-23; Acts 24: 15, and John 2: 19-21.

 

HEAVEN - Heaven is the eternal dwelling place of all believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Word of God says - Look up the following Scriptures - 2 Cor. 5: 1; 1 Peter 1: 4; Hebrews11: 16; John 17: 24; Matthew 5: 3, 12, 20, 6: 20, 19: 21, 25: 34.

 

HELL - After living one life on earth, the wicked will be judged by God and sent to Hell where they will be eternally, consciously, tormented with the Devil and the Fallen Angels.  The Word of God says - Look up the following Scriptures - Hebrews 9: 27; Matthew 25: 41; Revelation 14: 9-11, 20: 12- 15, 21: 8, and Mark 9: 43-48.

 

TWO ORDINANCES -

  1. WATER BAPTISM - Following believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the Name of the Lord.  -

  1. THE LORD'S SUPPER - A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and wine, representing the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, are taken in remembrance of Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The Bible says -  Look up the following Scriptures - Matthew 28: 19; Acts 2:38; 1 Cor. 11: 23-25; Mark 16: 16; Acts 8: 12, 8: 36-38, 10: 47-48; Matthew 26: 26-28, and 1 Cor. 10: 16.

 

SECOND COMING -  Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom.  This will occur at a date undisclosed by the scriptures. The Holy Bible teaches - Look up the following Scriptures - Revelation 1: 7; acts 1: 9-11; Matt. 24: 30; Matt. 26: 63-64; 1 Thess. 4: 15-17, and 2 Thess. 1: 7-8.

 

HEALING OF THE SICK -  Healing of the sick was illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus, and included in the commission of Jesus to His disciples.  Given as a sign which was to follow believers, it is a part of Christ's atonement on the Cross.  The Word of God says - Look up the following Scriptures - Matthew 8: 16-17; Acts 8: 6-7; Mark 16: 17-18; James 5: 14- 16; 3 John 2; Psalm 103: 2-3, and Isaiah 53: 5.

 

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES -  Given at Pentecost, it was the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after His Ascension, to empower the Church to preach the Gospel through the whole earth.  Its purpose was to bring edification to the believer, to enhance his prayer life and as a sign to the unbeliever.  The Bible says - Look up the following Scriptures - Acts 2: 17; Acts 2: 38 -39; Mark 16: 17; Joel 2: 28-29; Matthew 3:11; Acts 1: 5,8. 2: 1-4. 8: 14-17. 10: 38, 44-47, 11: 15-17, 19: 1-6.