What I Believe

In the essentials we need unity, in the non-essentials we need liberty; but in all things we need love. ~ Rupertus Meldenius

My Core Beliefs are intended to be a basis of fellowship. There will always be peripheral doctrines that committed Christians disagree on, but the core beliefs of Christianity are non-negotiable. Below is a partial list of my core beliefs:

• The Bible is God's Word
• There is One True God
• Jesus is fully God
• The Holy Spirit is God
• Man, God and Salvation
• The Church of God 

The Bible is God's Word

The Bible in its entirety is God’s Word written to all people (2 Timothy 3:16). It contains 66 books: 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament books. There are no more/no less written texts from God. Because the Bible is fully inspired by God, it is true, plain and completely reliable (John 17:17; Proverbs 30:6). It is my final authority for what I believe and how I live.
 
There is one True God

Though God is called by many different names because of the different dimensions of His personality, He is one (Deuteronomy 6:4). Yet the one true God has mysteriously revealed Himself as a Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each an uncreated person, equal in power and glory (Matt. 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). The true God is infinite, holy and self-existent. As the eternal Creator and Ruler of the universe (Psalm 90:2), He is completely other, yet knowable (Isaiah 45:5-6; John 17:3).

Jesus is God

Jesus Christ is fully God while at the same time fully man (John 1:1-3, 14). He is the eternal God (Isaiah 43:11, Titus 3:6), co-equal with the Father, the second person of the Trinity. He is the prophesied Messiah of the Old Testament (Isaiah 53). He became a man to live among us and is now and forever both God and man. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and had no earthly father (Matthew 1:16, 18-25; Luke 1:34). He lived a sinless life on earth and willingly paid for the penalty of our sin by dying on the cross as our substitute (Hebrews 7:23-27; 1 Peter 2:22-24). Jesus rose bodily from the dead and is the only legitimate mediator between us and God (1 Corinthians 15:3-8; 1Timothy 2:5-6). He will personally come again to establish His kingdom on earth (Matthew 24:30). I long for that most glorious day when he has finally, once and for all, established his kingdom on earth.

The Holy Spirit is God

The Holy Spirit is a divine Person (Acts 5:2-4). He actively guides and lives in the Church (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:16-26). Since the Holy Spirit indwells believers, we do not have to sin (Romans 8:9-14, Romans 6:1-14). The true Christian seeks to live under His control daily. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to all believers. He never departs from the Church or from the weakest believer (Ephesians 1:13-14; Hebrews 13:5). I acknowledge God's freedom to work in miraculous and unexpected ways in the lives of believers, and believe that all who are true lovers and disciples of Jesus Christ have the freedom to practice any or all of the gifts and signs gifts of the NT as God leads them.

Man, God and Salvation

Created by God in His image, man was originally God's friend. Yet man rebelled against God and is now His enemy and under condemnation (Genesis 1:26-3:19; Romans 5:12). As a consequence, all men are sinners by nature and choice, deserving of God’s wrath (Romans 1:18, 3:10-12, 23). Jesus' path of suffering, crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection releases us from the curse and guarantees us eternity with God (Galatians 3:13). No degree of change, no moral accomplishment, no schemes and societies, no baptism or other sacrament, no Church, no religion, no rules or regulations, however sincere, can help us to take even one step closer to God. Regaining friendship with God and avoiding the punishment of an eternal hell is accomplished solely by the cross work and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:6, 8-10; 1 Peter 2:24). We are rescued by trusting Christ alone and receiving His free gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8, 9). I have been rescued from my sin and the penalty for my sin by trusting in Christ alone and have received his undeserved and free gift of salvation by grace and through faith and not as a result of any works that I have done. (Ephesians 2:8, 9)

God's Church

The Universal Church is a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all true believers are members. It is never a building or institution. It is always expressed locally. The local church consists of a company of baptized believers who gather together regularly for worship, teaching, witness and fellowship. The local church has been given the primary responsibility of making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Its leadership is biblically defined as that of pastors and deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-13). Christ has committed two ordinances to the church: believer's baptism by immersion and communion (Acts 2:41-42). These ordinances are symbolic memorials and not to be viewed as a means of salvation.

I am blessed to be a member of Steamtown Church in Scranton, PA. Our church website is http://www.steamtownchurch.com

If you have any questions about how to become a disciple of Jesus Christ and have an abundantly satisfying and eternal relationship with him or any questions regarding other spiritual matters that matter to you, please email me at harold@haroldsays.com and I will be delighted to help you.

You can also call me at (570) 341-6796 if you wish to speak with me personally regarding spiritual questions or any issues that you have.