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The Emmanuel Essentials
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WE BELIEVE that the Scriptures, consisting of the Old
and New Testaments, are verbally inspired and without error in their
original writings, and are the final authority in faith and life.
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WE BELIEVE in one God, who exists eternally in three Persons: the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus Christ, who was
God from eternity, was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin
Mary and is true man and true God.
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WE BELIEVE that God created a host of angels who were
sinless spiritual beings. Some of them, led by Satan, fell into sin, and
now oppose God and those God blesses. The holy angels continue to minister
as servants of God. |
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WE BELIEVE that Adam was created without sin, but
through his transgression fell from his original innocence. Descendants of
Adam are born with a sin nature and are subject to death and eternal
judgment, apart from divine grace. |
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WE BELIEVE that Christ died for man's sin and rose
bodily from the grave. We believe in His bodily ascension, in His present
work as High Priest and Advocate in heaven for those chosen in Him, and in
the "blessed hope" of His personal, bodily return to receive the redeemed
saints unto Himself. |
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WE BELIEVE that salvation is by grace through
faith in Christ as Savior and Sin-bearer and is entirely a free gift of
God. Man's works can in no way add to the finished work of Christ or in
anyway earn God's favor, which is unmerited. |
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WE BELIEVE that at death the saved enter into the presence of God
immediately, to spend eternity with Him. At death the unsaved go
immediately into eternal conscious punishment. We believe in the future
bodily resurrection of all the dead. |
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WE BELIEVE that God the Holy Spirit regenerates those
who trust Christ. He baptizes all believers into the body of Christ,
indwells them permanently, and seals them unto the day of redemption. The
Holy Spirit empowers the child of God to grow in grace and to live godly in
Christ Jesus. |
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WE BELIEVE that all who trust Christ as Savior are
members of the Church, which is the body of Christ and of which He alone is
the Head. The body of Christ is manifest in the local church, which gathers
to glorify God through worship, equipping for service, fellowship, and
witness. |
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WE BELIEVE in the pre-millennial interpretation of Scripture.
Israel and the church are distinct groups with distinct promises and
purposes within the program of God. Jesus Christ will come again at
the end of the tribulation period and set up His millennial kingdom on earth
over which He will rule for 1,000 years. Satan will be bound during
the millennium and the saints will rule with Jesus Christ. At the end
of this period Satan will be loosed for a short while for a final rebellion.
The outcome will be that Satan will be cast into the lake of fire forever
and with him those who have rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ. A new
heaven and earth will be created and the saints of all ages will dwell there
forever in the presence of God and Jesus Christ. |
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WE BELIEVE that all Christians are called and commissioned by the Lord
to live to the glory of God and be witnesses to the gospel of Christ. |
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WE BELIEVE that God will reward those who faithfully serve him.
While eternal life is a free gift based on faith alone in Christ alone,
eternal rewards are stored up for those who serve Christ out of love and
proper motives. |
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