The Bible
Earthly experiences and spiritual realities are best understood by the roadmap we call the Bible.
"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right."
2 Timothy 3:16
God
Although some people call Him God, Creator, The Supreme Being, the Almighty, we can call him Father.
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son."
Ephesians 1:3-6
Jesus
The person who exists to reflect God to people, with no mess-ups, gave up his own life to relieve people of their penalty for wrong doing.
"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation."
Romans 5:8-9
Holy Spirit
God’s way of cohabitating with believers. Though abstract, the spirit gives care, desire to purify lifestyle and enables skills to serve the body and the world.
"I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid."
John 14:25-27
Sin ∣ Salvation
Through a personal relationship with Christ imperfect people can become whole again.
"If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved."
Romans 10:9-10
Community
Those who experience a relationship with God become a family whose purpose is to grow, care for others, share life together, and tell people their story.
"A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity - all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved."
Acts 2:43-47
Baptism
Baptism is the symbolic gesture that shows the world God has entered your life.
"Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all."
Acts 2:41