We see joy everywhere at Christmastime, but many of us feel like we have lost our joy. But just like the first Christmas where joy was found as the people got closer to Jesus, joy can be found as we get closer to Jesus.
| …that there is one living and true GOD, eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; this triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all. |
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…that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired, without error in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and practice. |
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…in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in Holiness, wisdom, power, and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. |
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…in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. |
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…in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teaching, His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal, visible return to earth. |
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…in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; and to regenerate, sanctify and empower all that believe in Jesus Christ for ministry. |
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…that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher, and Guide. |
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…in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all the Biblical gifts of the Holy Spirit. |
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…that all people are sinners by nature and choice and, therefore, are under condemnation; that God regenerates by the Holy Spirit, those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. |
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…that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit and empowers the believers for service, often subsequent to regeneration. |
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…in the universal church, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the head, and all regenerated persons are members. |
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…that Jesus committed two ordinances to the church: 1) Baptism and, 2) the Lord’s Supper. We believe in baptism by immersion and communion open to all believers. |
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…also in the laying on of hands for baptism of the Holy Spirit, for ordination of pastors, elders, and deacons, and receiving from the Holy Spirit through the believer the gift of healing. |
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…in the personal, visible return of Christ to the earth and the establishing of His Kingdom, in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment and eternal blessing of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked. |
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…in what is termed the Apostles Creed as embodying the fundamental facts of Christian faith. |
