In essentials, we have UNITY ~ There is one Body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God and Father of us all. Ephesians 4:4-6
In non-essentials, we extend GRACE ~ Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. Romans 14:1
In all things, we show LOVE ~ If I hold in my mind all knowledge and faith that can move mountains, but have no love, I amount to nothing at all. 1 Corinthians 13:2
ESSENTIALS:
God is Creator and Ruler of the universe. He eternally exists in three persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return to earth again someday to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian (or Christ follower) from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christ follower with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer at least one spiritual gift when he/she is saved. As Christ followers, we seek to live under His control daily. 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:25
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without error. 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 12:6, 119:105, Proverbs 30:5
Human Beings are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23
Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness called “Grace,” can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. At that moment, we enter into a direct, personal relationship with God Himself, and eternal life begins. Romans 5:1, 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12, 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26
Eternal Security is the understanding that because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. John 10:28-29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10-14; 2 Peter 1:3-5
Eternity is the original lifespan of God’s creation; God created us to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally united with Him in Heaven is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. 1 John 2:25, 5:11-13; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 22:44-46
BAPTISM & COMMUNION
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward reality in the life of a Christian. At Willow Bend, we practice baptism by immersing a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience that symbolizes the believer’s faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, Jesus Christ; it is also a symbol of the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life and the resurrection and recreation of a new life in Christ. It is not a prerequisite for salvation but rather an act of obedience and a public testimony to one’s salvation. Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:4; Matthew 3:11; Acts 8:35-36
Communion is a symbolic act of remembrance and anticipation. By eating the bread and the juice, the believer remembers the amazing sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life, and anticipates His second coming and our eternal home. It is also an intimate experience of the Church’s “common-union” with one another. Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33 , 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16-21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12