Concerning the Bible:

The Bible is God's Word, without error in its original autographs and supernaturally preserved by the power of God from the date of its writing to the present.  Human authors were used to write down the Words of God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.  God supernaturally inspired the writing of the Bible, through prophets and apostles in the languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.  These "original autographs" have been copied down through the centuries, and today we read reliable translations of God's inspired Word.  In fact, throughout the centuries, faithful copyists and translators have made the Bible available in more languages than any other book in world history. 

The Bible is God's specific revelation of Himself to humanity--a Book that describes not only who He is, but His work in and among people since the beginning.  The Bible details the plan of God in creation and in redemption, and it alone is able to make the seeking soul "wise for salvation."  The timeless truths of the Bible are just as relevant and meaningful today as they were in their original context, and are useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training people in righteousness, thoroughly equipping the reader for every good work.   All that the Bible says is true historically, scientifically, morally, and spiritually, every prophecy therein has or will be fulfilled, and every promise or principle therein will not return void.  The Bible is the final authority on all matters of faith and practice for the church, the government, and the individual.  God's Word is to be respected, honored, studied, cherished, and obeyed by all people everywhere as they find upon its pages answers to life's deepest questions, real hope for the future, and most importantly, as they discover how to have a personal relationship with their Creator  (2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Tim. 3:15-17, Heb. 4:12, 1 Peter 1:23, Psalm 119).

Concerning God:

God consists of three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and this constitutes the Holy Trinity. The Father, the ultimate authority (1 Corinthians 15:27-28); the Son, the Creator, Redeemer, and Judge of mankind (John 1:1-18, John 5:22); and the Holy Spirit, the gift that is given by God to everyone who repents (Acts 2:38). The function of the Holy Spirit is to indwell (1 Corinthians 6:19), gift (1 Corinthians 12), counsel (John 14:16), and empower (Acts 1:8) all who are true believers.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born of a virgin by the power of the Most High (Luke 1:34-35). He lived a sinless, perfect life (2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15). He was falsely accused by the leaders of that day and was put to death on a cross in accordance with God's plan. (Luke 22-23) His death was the atoning sacrifice for all our sins and the means by which we can receive forgiveness and reconciliation with God (Hebrews 9:13-28, 2 Cor 5:17-21). On the third day after His death, God raised Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Corinthians 15). He then ascended into Heaven and is now at the right hand of the Father, awaiting the time at which He will come again (Acts 1:9-11, Hebrews 8:1).

Concerning Human Beings:

Mankind was made by God on the sixth day of creation. (Gen. 1:26-31)  He was made in God's own image for adoption into God's own family. (Gen. 1:27, Eph. 1:5)  God's purpose in creating man was established before the world began--man was created to enjoy intimate fellowship with His Creator God as He lived a life of worship and service in God's kingdom. Man was to be like God in holiness, conformed to the image of Jesus Christ in every way (Eph. 1:3-18, Romans 8:29a).

God created both male and female in His own image, that they might be living representations of Himself and mirror images of His glory for all the rest of creation to see. (Gen. 1:27) Men and women were given different unique and fulfilling roles in God's perfect creation...roles that would complement one another; maximizing fruitfulness, godliness, and joy (1 Tim. 2:8-15, Genesis 2, 1 Cor. 11:3-15, Colossians 3:18-19).

Concerning Sin:

Sin is the misuse, perversion, denial, or rejection of that which God made to be "very good" in the beginning.  Sin is contrary to God's very nature, and is a rebellion against His rightful place as the Lord of our lives.  Sin is transgression of the perfect Law of God: any deviation from God's purpose or principles.  Since God's way is perfect, sin can only hamper, tear down, and destroy what God originally made (James 4:16, Psalm 18:30, Matthew 5:48, Genesis 4:7, 1 John 3:4).

Sin entered the human race when Eve, followed by her husband Adam, believed the lies of the tempter (Satan) and disobeyed the clear command of God (Genesis 2-3). Since that horrible moment, when the first couple's eyes were opened unto evil, sin has permeated humanity and utterly marred the image of God he was supposed to bear (Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12-21).  Sin results in death, as decreed by God, and ultimately separation from His presence forever (Romans 6:23, James 1:15).  Sin is utterly contrary to everything that God created this world for, yet because of man's decision to rebel, all of creation has been subjected to its cruel grasp (John 8:34, Romans 8:18-23).  All people are now born with a "sin nature" and do not seek after the God who created them (Psalm 14, Romans 3:10-21, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 2:1-3, Titus 3:3-4).   Mankind has set himself up as an enemy of God--saying "no" to the One who made Him for love and perfection  (Psalm 14:1, James 4:4, Romans 5:10).

Concerning Salvation:

The plan of salvation is the clearest demonstration of God's love, mercy, and grace that could ever be given (Ephesians 2:6-7).  Salvation involves rescuing mankind from his bondage to sin and evil, reconciling his relationship to God, and restoring him to his created purpose for life (2 Corinthians 5:14-21, Romans 5:8-12, Revelation 21:3-6). God would not see His image and "very good" world completely destroyed by sin, and so He made provision to save that rebellious world (John 3:14-21, Ephesians 2:4-5).  Even at the beginning, when the first sin was committed by Adam and Eve, God's heart of love could be seen by His promise of salvation (Genesis 3:15).

Humanity, whom God foreknew and elected before the world began, that they might bear the image of Christ, would be saved only if God were to justify, sanctify, and glorify them out of His own mercy and grace (Romans 8:29, Ephesians 1:3-14).  Nothing mankind could do would ever be able to cancel his sin debt and reconcile him to God.  No works, no gift, no aspiration...however sincere, could change the awful reality of evil (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:4-5, Hebrews 9:22).  Yet though all had sinned and fallen short of God's glory, God sent Jesus Christ to die as a sacrfice--a substitute--to pay for the sins of the world, so that God might be just and the justifier of those who have faith in Jesus (Romans 3:23-25, 1 John 2:2).  Thus, by the work that Jesus Christ did on the Cross, and His subsequent resurrection from the dead, a way was made open for humanity to be reconciled and restored (1 Corinthians 15, Rev. 22:17, 2 Cor. 5:18-21, John 3:36).  Salvation is offered exclusively through Jesus Christ  (Acts 4:12, John 14:6, 1 Tim. 2:5).

This message of Christ's work for us is called the gospel, or "good news."  This good news is to be proclaimed to every person, that they might hear of the love God has for them and the hope of grace He offers (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15). Upon hearing the gospel, the believing sinner, under the conviction and drawing of the Holy Spirit, is saved and crosses over from death to life (John 6:22-59, John 5:24, John 16:8-11, Ephesians 1:13, John 1:12). The Holy Spirit is given to him as a deposit, guaranteeing His future inheritance with Christ forever (Ephesians 1:14, Romans 8:8-14).  Thus, because of salvation, God's original plan is still accomplished in the lives of people from every tribe, tongue, nation, as they embrace Christ and are set apart for God...eager to do good and fulfill His purpose for their lives (Titus 2:11-14, Rev. 21:3-4, Ephesians 2:11-3:13, 2 Cor. 5:15).

Concerning the Christian Life:

The purpose for which a person is redeemed by Christ's blood is to live his life for the glory of God and to obey what Jesus commanded (2 Corinthians 5:15). Upon salvation, the sinner is made alive to God and becomes dead to sin (Romans 6-8). The sinful nature of a believer is crucified on the cross with Christ so that he/she is no longer in slavery to sin (Galatians 5:1-24, Romans 6:6-7). All true conversions are evidenced by fruit, and no faith is worth anything unless it is proven by works (James 2:14-26, Luke 6:43-45). Every real Christian will be led by the Spirit of God, thus showing that they are a son of God (Romans 8:14). Those who love Jesus Christ will show it by obedience (John 14:15, John 14:23-24).

The Law is God's perfect standard of holiness (Exodus 20:1-15). The Law was given to expose the sin of mankind and direct people to Christ by showing them their need for a Savior (Galatians 3:24, Romans 3:20). Christ was the fulfillment of the Law, living in perfect harmony with every command that God issued (Matthew 5:17-20). As believers and partakers in Christ, Christians delight in keeping the moral laws of God as found in the Ten Commandments, and the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit gives a believer the ability to obey (Romans 8:13, Galatians 6:7-8). The goal of every believer must be to love God first, and secondly to love others, and in doing so keep all the moral laws of God (Matthew 7:12, Matthew 22:34-40).

All believers are to take part in fulfilling the Great Commission--to preach the Gospel of faith and repentance to every creature (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16). Christians have the obligation to be a light to the world and to proclaim the truth as Christ's ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20, Luke 8:16-18, Matthew 5:13-16, Acts 1:8).

Concerning the Church:

The church is the group of "called out" ones who serve God.  All those who have faith in God, and who come to Him through Jesus Christ, are included in the family of God, the Church (John 1:12, Ephesians 2:19).  The Scriptures liken the church to a body, in which each member must do its work so that the whole body functions (1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:16).  It is also likened to a building, with Christ as the cornerstone and every member being a "living stone," rising to become a holy temple for the Lord (Ephesians 2:20-22, 1 Peter 2:4-5). 

The church is the fulfillment of God's intentions for the world: to have a people set apart as His very own, eager to do good (Titus 2:14, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1). The church brings together all people, regardless of sex, heritage, ethnic background, or economic status and makes them one body in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:13-18, Col. 3:11).

Jesus Christ is the head of the church, and each local fellowship of believers is accountable directly to Him (Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:15). Although various historical church traditions have been passed on through the centuries that may be helpful, the true church is not identified by a label or denomination, but rather by its full adherance to the truths presented in the New Testament. 

Every professing believer in Jesus Christ needs to be a part of a church family, so that he or she may be encouraged in the faith, challenged unto godliness, and instructed in the ways of Christ.  As we see the day of Christ approaching, church becomes all the more important--that we might spur one another on toward love and good deeds and not be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 10:25, Hebrews 3:12-13, Acts 2:40-47).

Concerning the Spirit Realm:

Angels are special creations of God designed to fulfill various heavenly and earthly roles.  In the Bible, God uses angelic servants to accomplish a number of ends: proclamation of divine messages, administrations of divine justice, and even protection for people of faith (Acts 5:19, Luke 2:9-14, Daniel 10). The Bible teaches that in heaven, various types of angels fly around the throne of God, praising His name day and night, while others serve His people on earth (Hebrews 1:14, Isaiah 6:1-3, Revelation 5:11-14).

All angels were created good, for service in the kingdom of God. However, the Bible also teaches that some angels rebelled against God, following the wicked archangel Lucifier. Lucifer, or Satan, is attempting to set himself up as God, and in doing so has invited judgment and wrath upon himself (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:11-19). At the current time, Satan and his demons (fallen angels) seek to steal, kill, and destroy the lives of those God loves most--human beings (John 10:10).  These evil beings entice people away from the truth, blind their hearts to Christ' light, and seek to bring evil, enslavement, and darkness upon everyone God has created (Acts 5:3, 2 Corinthians 4:4, 1 Peter 5:8, 2 Cor. 2:11, Luke 13:16, 2 Cor. 11:14, Mark 4:15).

The ultimate end of Satan has been spelled out clearly in the book of Revelation, when he, along with all those who follow his rebellious ways, are cast into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:7-15). 

Concerning the Future:

God's plan for this world will one day conclude with the judgment of all people, followed by their eternal assignments to either death or life (Hebrews 9:27-28). Those who, during their lifetime, exercised true faith in God and His plan, who are covered by the righteousness of Jesus Christ, are ushered into an eternity of joy and peace in the new heavens and new earth that God will create (Revelation 21:6-7). This perfect world will be much like the original creation before sin...a "very good" world free from sin, death, pain, or suffering (Revelation 21-22). God's purpose for creation will then be fulfilled; a people who love Him and whom He can love forever, adopted into His own family, mirroring the image of His beloved Son Jesus (Rev. 22:3-5).

Those who persisted in rebellion against God during their lives on earth, who enter eternity without Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, will be judged at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15). Since all alike are under sin and have sinned, all will be found guilty as charged, and will have upon their heads the eternal condemnation and wrath of God (James 2:10, John 3:18,36, Eccl. 12:14). The wicked will then be cast, along with the devil, into the lake of fire forever (Rev. 21:8, Matt. 25:41).

The Bible commands us to prepare what is to come, emphasizing the fact that the time is short (Rev. 22:12-14, Luke 12:35-40).  God will wrap up history one day soon, the realization of which should motivate us to be holy and to share His message of hope and life with all people (2 Cor. 5:20, 2 Peter 3:11).  As for God, He is not slow in keeping His promises, but rather He is patient with us, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance (1 Tim. 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9).

AbsoluteTruth.Net is not affiliated with any church or denomination. Instead, my site is devoted to bringing people into contact with the Christian message in a relevant, understandable way.

For those who wonder about our position on the most important issues of spiritual life, the "statement of faith" to the left of this column should make it clear what we teach.

Related Resources


Word of Truth
Are you interested in the Bible? Look over our "Bible" section for helpful insights and frequently asked questions.

Topics Galore
What spiritual topic do you want to learn about? Visit our topical index for info on just about anything.

Purpose Theology
Do you have any satisfying answers from the Bible about the purpose of life, God's plan, and human free will? Try this...

Study Helps for Bible Learners
Get free downloads of workbooks and study guides for all sorts of Bible topics and spiritual themes.