Close-Handed

These are my “close-handed” beliefs.  These are my beliefs that I believe with all of my heart and are not open for debate.  I will debate them with you for educational purposes, but not for reconsideration.  These are my core values that are of the utmost importance; therefore, not personally questionable.  This is my Statement of Faith.

Overview

I am a Christian (little Christ, Christ-like, Christ-follower).  I believe in the Holy Bible from cover to cover, Old Testament and New Testament.  I believe Christian are called to live a life of faith, preaching the Good News (Gospel) and winning people over to Christ for their salvation and abundant life on earth.  I believe Hell is a very real place and people that have not accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior are currently destined to eternity in Hell.

The Bible

I  believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired word of God, the final authority for life our lives, infallible, and given straight from God.  The Bible is not open for our own interpretation and it is perfect and used for reproof and correction in our lives. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21)

The Godhead/Trinity

I believe in one eternal God existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  They are equal in power and perfection. Father: (Romans 1:17) Son: (John 20:28) Holy Spirit: (Acts 5:3, 4)

Father God the Father oversees the universe as the Almighty and He is all powerful, all loving, all knowing, and all wise.  (Genesis 1:1; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Jeremiah 10:10; Mattew 6:9; Acts 1:7, Ephesians 4:6)

Son Jesus Christ is the Son of God conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin.  He was not born into the sin nature since He did not have an earthly father, but he was fully able and capable to sin.  Though he had the full ability to sin, he did not, he lived a sinless life and died on the Cross for all of mankind’s sins.  He was our substitute.  Jesus Christ was 100% God and 100% man.  After His bodily resurrection from the grave, He ascended to the right hand of His Father.  (Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1, 2, 14, 18; Romans 3:24-26; 8:3)

Spirit All believers in Christ are to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and have the Holy Spirit come live in them.  We are to listen to and let the Holy Spirit guide are lives so that we will have the words to reach others and live a Godly life of joy and abundance.  The Holy Spirit helps man to not submit to our own will of flesh, but to the will of God and bear fruit to the glory of God.  (John 3:3-8; 14:16-17; 16:7-11; 2 Corinthians 12:7-11, 13; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 4:30; 5:18)

Salvation

I believe that salvation is a free gift, given through grace by God and brought to us through faith in Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of God. (Ephesians 2:8–10; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18–19)

The Great Commission

I believe that Jesus called all Christians to live a Godly life, preaching the gospel, so that people may be saved through our words, actions and lives.  Every Christian should be doing something for the Lord and winning people to Christ until His return. (Matthew 25:31-46; 28:18-20)