BELIEVE #4

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THE PERSON & WORK OF JESUS CHRIST 

Heart for the Series:
1.  We believe IN Jesus and we believe ABOUT Jesus
2. We believe TOGETHER as a local body of believers

ARTICLE X — STATEMENT OF FAITH
“We believe and accept the following statements as essentials for the unity and practice of the members of this church:”

2. THE PERSON & WORK OF JESUS CHRIST 
(Matthew 1:23; John 1:1, 14, 29; 3:16; I Corinthians 15:3, 4, 12-19; Hebrews 4:15; I John 2:1-2; Acts 1:9-11)
“We believe that Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh, born of a virgin, sinless, crucified for our sins, resurrected from the dead, ascended to heaven, and coming back again to establish His Kingdom on earth.”

We believe in unity four TRUTHS regarding 
The Person & Work of Jesus Christ:

Truth #1:  “We believe that Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh” 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 ESV 

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. John 1:14 ESV

Truth #2: “born of a virgin, sinless” 

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23 ESV 

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 ESV

Truth #3: “crucified for our sins, resurrected from the dead” 

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 ESV 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV 

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that 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, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 ESV 

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14  And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15  We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16  For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17  And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins. 18  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19  If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 ESV

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2  He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2 ESV 

Truth #4: “ascended to heaven, and coming back again to establish His Kingdom on earth” 

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. 10  And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11 ESV 

Goals for the Series:
1. Increase DIALOGUE about these essential statements of our faith in Jesus Christ
2. Increase UNITY as a local body of believers in Jesus Christ