CHRIST INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY

In essential beliefs we have unity:

“There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called-one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV). These “Essential Beliefs” of Christ International Assembly are summary statements regarding the basics of evangelical

Christian faith and are in harmony with the Canadian National Baptist Convention (CNBC) Statement of Faith.

 

1. About God

 

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.These three are co-equal and are one God.(Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Psalm 90:2; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

 

2. About Jesus Christ

 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was both fully God and fully human, was born of a virgin and lived a perfect, sinless human life. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return some day to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.(Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 8:58, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13).

 

3.About the Holy Spirit

 

The Holy Spirit is a divine person, co-equal with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with the power for living enables understanding of Biblical truth and guides them in righteous living.He provides every Christian with spiritual gifts for service. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:25)

 

4. About the Bible

 

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source and authority of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error,(2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)

 

5. About People

 

People are the supreme object of God’s creation, originally created in the image and likeness of God.Humanity fell through disobedience, incurring both physical and spiritual death.All people are sinners by nature and sinners by choice and this separates them from the life of God.Only through the atoning work of Jesus Christ can anyone be saved and restored to relationship with God.(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; 51:1-8; Isaiah 53:6, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23; 5:12)

 

6. About Salvation

 

Salvation is by grace through faith to our Lord Jesus Christ. It is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn in repentance from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. That Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.You receive eternal life by transferring your trust to the Resurrected and living Christ.You must receive Him as Savior and Lord. You must repent and want to become a responsible member in God’s forever family. John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26, Romans 5:1; Roman 11:29; Romans 8:35-39). This is the statement for the Assurance of Salvation.

 

7. About Eternity

 

People were created to exist forever in eternity. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation through Christ. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.(John 3:16; 17:3; Romans 6:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:15)

 

8. About Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

 

Jesus instructed His disciples to remember His death and resurrection. He gave the Church two visible symbols (called"ordinances") as reminders. These two ordinances are Baptism and the Lord's Supper. While we respect all acts of spiritual obedience, the Bible teaches that Baptism is to be done by immersion, following salvation, as a one-time act of obedience and identification with Jesus Christ as Lord. The Lord's Supper is an ongoing symbol remembering our Lord's death, burial, resurrection and promised return. Each individual must decide his or her own participation in these ordinances. Regardless, we do not regard anyone's participation in these practices as a means of salvation.(Matthew 28:18-20, 26:26-29; I Corinthians11:23-32, Colossians 2:12)

 

9. About Christian Conduct

 

We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and the well-being of his fellowmen, that his conduct will be blameless before the world I Thessalonians 2:12. James 4:5; Colossians 3:17-23; II Corinthians 9:6-8)

 

10. About The Church

 

The Church consists of all those who have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Christ is the Head of the Church, whose members have been commissioned by Him to go into all the world as together for the worship of God, for teaching of the Word of God, for prayer, fellowship and the proclamation of the a witness, preaching the gospel to all nations. The local church is an autonomous, local body of believers in Christ who are joined Gospel, and for observance of the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. The local church is governed by the principles found in Scripture.(Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14;Colossians1:18; Hebrews 10:25; Ephesians 2:19-22; 5:25-27).