The Essentials

Throughout the history of the universal church the body of believers have centered on some basic truths that make up the true Christian faith-the essentials-that are the measuring stick of orthodoxy. The essentials beliefs, as evident in Scripture include:

• The triune nature of God. There is but One God (the Creator of heaven and earth) who has revealed Himself in three persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three persons are co-equal and co-eternal. All three persons are to be worshiped as the one true God.
• The deity of Jesus Christ. He is God. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, came in the flesh as the Son of God, was sinless, suffered, died on a cross for our sins, was buried, rose from the dead bodily, appeared to many, ascended to God the Father's right hand, and will return again visibly and bodily.
• The deity of the Holy Spirit. With the Father and the Son He is to be proclaimed as the One True God.
• Salvation is found in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

These essentials are critical beliefs of the Biblical Christian faith. Any group or spiritual movement that rejects any of these essentials should be accursed. One does not have the true biblical faith if any of these doctrines are rejected. The Body of Jesus Christ must guard these precious truths and be willing to die for them if necessary. For the record, I stand for the above truths and I have given my life to the defense of them. It is my prayer that these truths would be defended at all costs for they make up the essentials of the faith. May the one true God-the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be glorified and worshipped forevermore. Amen.

We are committed to faithfully proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to sinners, wherever they may be found. This good news is an essential, as it centers in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul, in the book of First Corinthians 15:1-8, tells us of the essentials of the gospel.

This gospel, which saves, when presented, should contain the following essentials:

1. The death of Jesus Christ for our sins.
2. The burial (which points to His genuine death).
3. His resurrection on the third day.
4. His appearance.

May the good news of Jesus Christ be defended and proclaimed throughout the world. Amen.