The Holy Trinity We believe in one living and true God, eternal and of infinite power, wisdom, goodness and righteousness. He is a loving and faithful God who is the Creator and preserver of all things (Genesis 1:1; Jeremiah 10:10; 1 Timothy 1:17). In the unity of this Godhead there are three persons of one substance with identical qualities and attributes: the Father (God), the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit (John 1:1, 2; 4:24; 5:18; 10:30). The Son of God We believe in the divine nature of Jesus Christ, God’s only son, who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin, Mary. Christ was both fully man and fully God. He walked our earth, suffered at the hands of men, was crucified, died and buried as a sacrifice for the sins of all men and women everywhere. The purpose was to restore our relationship to God which is broken by sin (disobedience) (Luke 1:27; 31:35; John 3:16; Romans 5:10; Ephesians 5:2). Christ rose from the dead and ascended into heaven in full victory over Satan and sin. He now intercedes for the body of believers to God the Father (Matthew 28:5-9; Luke 24:4–7). The Holy Spirit We believe in the Holy Spirit as the person of the Holy Trinity who lives within us, giving us the power to live a holy life and guiding us to truth (Romans 8:9, Galatians 4:6). The Authority of Scripture We believe the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament constitute the Holy Bible, which is inspired and inerrant (that is, without error or failure of basic content and meaning in the original manuscripts). The Holy Bible contains all the necessary truth to lead men and women into salvation (Psalm 19:7; John 17:17; Romans 15:4; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 3:15–17). Man We believe that mankind was created by God in His own image (Genesis 1:27), but because of Adam’s sin (disobedience) man inherits a corrupt nature that inclines him to do wrong (Genesis 3:6, 6:5; Romans 5:12). Man is not capable of achieving a life without sin on his own (Proverbs 20:9; Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16). Because man is created in God’s own image, we have a "God-likeness" which includes knowledge between right and wrong, the ability to choose which course we will take, and the responsibility for our actions, or our choices (Joshua 24:15; I Kings 20:40; John 7:17). Salvation We believe that Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, was given by God as a sacrifice for the sins of all men. Christ died on the cross to mend the broken relationship which was caused by man’s sin of disobedience. This severed relationship between God and man may be restored into perfect harmony through belief in Jesus Christ by faith, and not on the basis of our works (Galatians 5:4,5; Ephesians 2:8, 9). This belief and faith in Jesus Christ, recognizing Him as Lord and Savior, gives men and women the free gift of eternal life (John 1:29, 3:6; I Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 5:2; I Peter 1:19). After receiving salvation by faith through belief in Jesus Christ, the "born-again" (John 3:3) believer may live free from the judgment of God, by living a life according to the teaching of the scriptures and trusting the Holy Spirit for the power to live a holy life according to God’s Word. We believe that after we have experienced regeneration it is possible to fall into sin, for in this life there is no such height nor strength of holiness from which it is impossible to fall. But, by the grace of God, one who has fallen into sin may, by confession and true repentance, find forgiveness and restored fellowship with God (Matthew 18:21, 22; I John 1:9; 2:1, 24-25). Good Works We believe that even though men and women cannot receive salvation by good works, their good works are still pleasing to God and show evidence to a true faith in God, and Jesus as Lord of the believer’s life (Matthew 5:16; 7:16–20; Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16; James 2:18, 22). Sanctification We believe that sanctification is the work of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, making the believer pure in heart and totally committed and dedicated to God. This work is both instantaneous and gradual (or progressive). It begins when a person is saved and continues throughout life. In this process of sanctification there is a time when the believer is convicted of a "lukewarm" Christian life and looks to Christ with a total commitment and dedication to "Christ-like" living. For some this occurs soon following salvation and for others later. But for all believers, sanctification is the will of God (l Thessalonians 4:3). Sanctification is the point in life when a believer renounces the desire to live for self and desires to live totally for the glory of God. The believer is then empowered by the Holy Spirit, making him able to live a life of holiness. This does not mean perfection of the believer, but purity of heart, soul and mind (Deuteronomy 30:6; Luke 1:74–75; Acts 15:8-9; l Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 4:13, 24 Gifts of the Spirit We believe that the Holy Spirit has given spiritual gifts to all believers for the purpose of building up the body of Christ and bringing glory to God. The gifts are to be exercised in love and emphasize the need for unity (l Corinthians 12:4, 11, 18, 21–25; Ephesians 4:11–16). The Church of God believes in the miraculous use of languages and the interpretation of languages in its Biblical and historical setting. That is, languages were an evangelistic tool used for the purpose of spreading the gospel. The languages were unknown to the speaker, but known by the hearers of God’s Word, as understood by the Church of God (Acts 2:4–8). But, it is contrary to Church of God belief to teach that speaking in an unknown tongue, or the gift of tongues, is the evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–24). The unity of the body of Christ is of utmost importance, therefore only a language readily understood by the congregation is to be used in public worship (l Corinthians 12:1;14:40). Ordinances We believe that God ordained three ordinances, The Lord’s Supper, Footwashing and Baptism. The Lord’s Supper is received in remembrance of Christ’s death for our sins; the bread representing His body and the wine, His blood. It is in remembrance of God’s love and grace toward us, and the love we must share with one another (Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; l Corinthians 10:16). Footwashing is an act of obedience, servanthood and humility (John 13:1–17). Baptism is an outward act symbolizing salvation and cleansing of sin (Numbers 8:7; Mark 16:16; Acts 22:26). At North Main Street Church, we baptize by immersion. The Second Coming of Christ We believe that those who have not accepted Christ as their personal Savior, and are unrepentant, will be judged by God in His perfect justice and doomed to eternal punishment (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 25:31–46; ll Corinthians 5:10; Romans 2:16). We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ to receive His believers into heaven and eternal life. The time of His return is unknown, but may be at any moment. This is the glorious hope of all God’s children (John 14:1–3; l Thessalonians 4:13-18; James 5:7–8; Revelation 22:12, 20).