To be "saved" or "born again" refers to the process of recognizing our sinfulness and need for God's forgiveness, and then placing our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. This results in spiritual transformation, a new relationship with God, and the promise of eternal life.

Scripture References (NIV):

• John 3:3 — Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."
• Ephesians 2:8-9 — For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.
• Romans 10:9-10 — If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
• Titus 3:5 — He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, fully God and fully human. He came to earth, lived a sinless life, died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, and rose again, conquering death. He is the Savior of humanity and the way to have a relationship with God.

Scripture References (NIV):

• John 1:14 — The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
• Romans 5:8 — But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
• 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 — For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
• Acts 4:12 — Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

God is the creator and sustainer of the universe, the ultimate authority, and a being of love, justice, and mercy. He is triune — Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit — three distinct persons in one Godhead.

Scripture References (NIV):

• Genesis 1:1 — In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
• John 4:24 — God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
• 1 John 4:8 — Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
• Matthew 28:19 — Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible is the inspired Word of God, written by human authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It contains God's revelation to humanity, including his character, his plan for salvation, and instructions for living a life that honors him. It is our ultimate source of truth and guidance.

Scripture References (NIV):

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
• Psalm 119:105 — Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
• Hebrews 4:12 — For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
• 2 Peter 1:20-21 — Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, fully God. He indwells believers, empowers them for Christian living and service, convicts of sin, guides into truth, and gives spiritual gifts. He is essential for experiencing the fullness of the Christian life.

Scripture References (NIV):

• John 14:16-17 — And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
• Acts 1:8 — But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
• Romans 8:9 — You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.
• 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 — There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

Prayer is communicating with God. It can be done anywhere, at any time, and in any way that feels genuine to you. It involves talking to God, listening to Him, offering thanks, confessing sins, and making requests. Prayer strengthens our relationship with God, brings peace, and allows us to participate in His work in the world.

Scripture References (NIV):

• Philippians 4:6-7 — Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
• Matthew 6:6 — But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 — Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
• James 5:16 — Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

The church is the community of believers in Jesus Christ. It is not just a building but a living body of people called together by God. Being part of a church provides fellowship, support, accountability, opportunities for spiritual growth, and a place to use your gifts to serve God and others.

Scripture References (NIV):

• Hebrews 10:24-25 — And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
• Acts 2:42 — They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
• 1 Corinthians 12:27 — Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
• Ephesians 4:11-13 — So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Baptism is a public declaration of your faith in Jesus Christ through immersion in water, symbolizing your death to your old life and resurrection to a new life in Him. Communion (also called the Lord's Supper or Eucharist) is a symbolic meal where believers partake of bread and wine (or juice) in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Both are important acts of obedience and participation in the Christian community.

Scripture References (NIV):

• Matthew 28:19 — Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
• Acts 2:38 — Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
• 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 — For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
• Romans 6:3-4 — Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Spiritual growth is a lifelong process that involves intentionally engaging with God through various means such as reading the Bible, prayer, fellowship with other believers, serving in the church and community, and living a life that reflects Christ's teachings. It requires commitment, discipline, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

Scripture References (NIV):

• 2 Peter 3:18 — But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
• Colossians 3:16 — Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
• Hebrews 5:12-14 — In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You have become so in need of milk that you can't digest solid food. Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
• 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 — I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

Sharing your faith involves telling others about your personal experience with Jesus Christ and the good news of the Gospel. This can be done through your words and your actions, living a life that reflects God's love and truth. It's important to be authentic, respectful, and sensitive to others' beliefs.

Scripture References (NIV):

• Matthew 28:19-20 — Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
• 1 Peter 3:15 — But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
• Acts 1:8 — But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
• 2 Corinthians 5:20 — We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Sin is any thought, word, or action that goes against God's will and character. As Christians, we are still susceptible to sin, but we have been forgiven for our past, present, and future sins through Jesus' sacrifice. When we sin, we should confess it to God, and He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Living as a Christian involves striving to live in a way that honors God, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Scripture References (NIV):

• 1 John 1:9 — If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
• Romans 3:23 — For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
• Romans 6:1-2 — What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
• Galatians 5:16-17 — So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

A "full-gospel" church typically emphasizes the entirety of the Gospel message, which often includes the belief in and practice of spiritual gifts (such as healing, prophecy, speaking in tongues), the power of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives, and the expectation of God's supernatural intervention in the world today. It focuses on both the saving grace of Jesus and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit for daily living and ministry.

Scripture References (NIV):

• Acts 2:4 — All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
• 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 — For to one is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
• Mark 16:17-18 — And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.
• Romans 15:18-19 — I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done — by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.