At Immanuel We Believe, Teach, and Confess...
1. The Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is His message to all people. The entire Bible points to Jesus Christ as Savior. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 1 Corinthians 2:13; John 17:17.
2. There is only one true God. He has revealed himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-2; Acts 5:3-4.
3. God is the creator of everything that exists. Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:11; Hebrews 3:4; Hebrews 11:3.
4. People were originally created by God pure and holy. Genesis 1:26-28.
5. Humanity rebelled against God and brought sin into the world. Romans 5:12-14.
6. Sin is living out of the relationship with God, not living according to God's will. Romans 8:7; James 4:17.
7. People can not save themselves by their good works or restore themselves to a right relationship with God. This is done by God's grace alone. Ephesians 2:8-9.
8. God sent his Son, Jesus, into the world. He was born of the virgin Mary. He is both true God and true man. He lived to fulfill God's law for us, died on the cross to pay the penalty which our sins deserved, and rose from the dead so that we might have eternal life. He ascended into heaven, where he now sits at the right of the Father to intercede for us. John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 Timothy 2:5-6.
9. Because of Jesus' death on the cross, God declares a person just and forgiven (The Great Exchange). Ephesians 1:7; Romans 6:3-7.
10. The means of grace are the Word, Holy Baptism, and Holy Communion. By theses means, God applies the merits of Jesus' atoning death to all who believe in Jesus as their Savior. Romans 10:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21; Matthew 26:26-28.
11. The Holy Spirit is poured into the lives of all believers through the Word, Baptism, and Communion (i.e. the means of grace). Believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit with gifts to be used in the Church to spread the Gospel and make disciples. Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 12:7-13; Hebrews 2:4; Matthew 28:18-19.
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