What Does a Follower of Jesus Believe?
Man created in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27)
Image does not refer to physical appearance but rather the image of three entities in one. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Man is Body, Soul and Spirit.
The nature of man-sinful. (Romans 3:23)
Man is not born “good” or even neutral. This sinful nature is passed on to each of us through our parents. Every human sins because he/she is a sinner. They are not sinners because they sin.
Our nature separated us from God. (Romans 6:23)
God cannot associate or tolerate sin. He is perfect.
We are born three-dimensional people with one dimension inactive, the spirit.
(Romans 5:12)
When man was originally created, he (Adam) had all three dimensions functioning. God told him that he would experience “death” in the day he disobeyed. Did Adam die the very first day he disobeyed God? Some say “yes”, some say “no”. Both answers are right. Man did not die physically; but he did die spiritually. From that point on every human has been born with a body and soul-but a dead spirit.
Jesus said we must be “Born Again” in spirit. (John 3)
Jesus made it clear to Nicodemus that he needed to have his spirit “born again”. Jesus was validating the fact that humans are born with their spirit dead and inactive.
Jesus was the God/Man with no earthly father. ( Matthew 1:18)
We do not fully understand this miracle; but we believe it. If God is capable of creating all things, He certainly can do anything, in any manner, he desires, including being the father of the God/ man Jesus.
The purpose of Jesus’ arrival, life, death and resurrection was to provide redemption. (John 3:16, Galatians 4:4-5)
The reason God entered history in the person of Jesus was to provide a way for man to have his spirit reborn.
We must receive God’s plan. God has completed his plan to provide redemption. We respond to his plan by:
Confession: (1John1:9)
Confession is agreeing with a charge that has been made against us. God has charged us with being sinners. How many sins does one have to commit to be a sinner? Answer, One. We believe the Bible says we must admit to God that his charge is true. We must admit to him that we are sinners.
Repentance: (Luke 13)
Repentance means a 180 degree turn. It means turning from going our own sinful way ( Isaiah 53:6) and turning to God. It does not mean earning God’s acceptance. We are redeemed by His grace. There is nothing we can do to earn it (Ephesians 2:8-9). Repentance is turning to God so He can perform a transformation in our lives.
Commitment: (John 1:12)
Commitment is putting our belief into action. Commitment means taking a step that one cannot, does not intend to, pull away from. Commitment means receiving Jesus as personal Savior.