My Public Profession of Beliefs

Lately I have had the opportunity to look deeper into my beliefs and the doctrines that accompany them. It seems ironic to me that the situation I find myself in as of late and the discussion of this assignment are so closely related.  Recently, two of my close friends were forced to break up because each of their parents had differing beliefs. One friend is Reformed Presbyterian, the other is Word of Faith. What intrigues me so much is that both faiths have the same foundational beliefs, however, the doctrines that accompany each faith are the cause for disagreement. After a few weeks, the couple decided to go against what their parents had instated and secretly date. Fast forward one month. Both sets of parents found out and now the girl is living with me because her mother kicked her out. Living with her however, has been eye opening and thought inspiring as I am learning the doctrines of her faith and the doctrines of her boyfriend’s faith. I am now aware of doctrines in my own faith that I never knew existed, and I am able to ascertain beliefs I agree and disagree with. This essay has presented me with the opportunity to lay it all out and come to terms with what I truly believe.

I label myself a Christian. I have attended a Baptist church my entire life but share the same foundational beliefs of many other denominations such as Presbyterian, Methodist, and Assembly of God.

I believe in one true, omnipotent God, who created the earth and all who dwell in it. I believe he created humans in His image.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. – Genesis 1:1

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. – Genesis 1:27

I believe that in order to achieve salvation for eternal life in heaven, one must believe that they are a sinner and repent from their sin. I Salvation is found in the atonement alone, where God sent his son, Jesus, to earth, to die on the cross as a sacrifice for the world’s sin. In order to fully repent, one must believe in their heart and confess by their mouth that Jesus is Lord, and that he died to save us, and was raised by God to descend into heaven. Repentance is complete surrender to God, a promise to take up your cross and follow him.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:9-13

I do not believe that works have anything to do with salvation. In Christ alone, one can find salvation.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

I believe in an afterlife in heaven when one dies, but only if they have received salvation. I believe God is a just God, who grants the freedom of choice. He will not have mercy on those who have heard of Him but have not repented. I believe those who are not saved will suffer eternity in the fiery flames of hell.

“And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” – Matthew 13:42

I believe in the Rapture and Judgement Day; that Jesus will come down from heaven to earth and judge the living and the dead. Those who are saved with rise up with Jesus and descend into heaven, and those who are not must suffer the annihilation that will be inflicted on the earth.

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." - Revelation 3:10

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?" - II Peter 3:10-13

These are the beliefs which I believe to be true of my faith, and these are the beliefs I live my life by. I believe I will go to heaven when I die, and that I will live an eternal life with God because I have received salvation through repentance.