JESUS CHRIST
We believe Jesus is the eternal[1] Son of God, not made or created[2], but eternally pre-existent with the Father[3] and the Holy Spirit. Moved by love and in obedience to the Father, the Son was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin[4] Mary. In doing so, Jesus took up true human nature[5], adding humanity to his divinity[6], together in one person, both body and soul, yet without sin and without diminishing any of his deity. We believe in the literal, sacrificial death and bodily resurrection[7] of Jesus. Jesus rose from the dead[8] and forever broke the power of sin[9] and death.[10]
Having ascended into heaven[11], Jesus now rules and reigns at the right hand[12] of God where he acts as high priest[13], intercessor[14], and advocate[15] on our behalf. He will come again in glory[16] to judge the living and the dead[17]. Jesus sends[18] the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father[19], to act as our helper on Earth.
Scripture References
[1] Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
[2] John 8:58: “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
[3] John 17:5: “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”
[4] Matthew 1:23: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.”
[5] Philippians 2:7: “7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
[6] John 1:14: “14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
[7] Romans 1:4: “and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
[8] 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: “… Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”
[9] Hebrews 2:14: “ Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.”
[10] Romans 6:9:” “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.”
[11] Acts 1:9: “9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.”
[12] Acts 7:55: “But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”
[13] Hebrews 2:17: “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”
[14] Ephesians 2:18: “For through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.”
– 1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”
[15] 1 John 2:1: “… if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
[16] Mark 13:26: “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.”
[17] 2 Timothy 4:1: “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead…”
[18] John 16:7: “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”
[19] John 15:26: “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”