The Bible is the inspired word of God and is therefore our authoritative and infallible guide in all things. It contains a record of God’s heart for people since the beginning of time and can give life and freedom to everyone (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).

A life of being right with God starts when we recognize we’re trapped in sin and are powerless to “make it up” to Him. Only God can clean us from our sins, through Jesus (John 14:6). When Jesus died, was buried and was raised again, He freed us from sin and reconnected us with God. When we realize, believe and then speak this truth, we are saved. Salvation saturates our lives through repentance (turning away from our sin and toward God), and faith in Jesus. This salvation is God’s free gift to anyone who chooses to trust him through Jesus (Romans 10:9-10).

“Born again” is another way of saying “saved.” You were already born naturally; when you’re saved, your spirit is reborn. Being born again is necessary for everyone and results in eternal life (John 3:3-5).

Our salvation is worked out in us as this belief sinks in to our whole lives and we understand that all life, grace and peace come from God through Jesus. This is what it means to be a disciple—a student and follower—of Jesus.

Communion (also called “The Lord’s Supper”) is a chance for Christ-followers to remember and honor Jesus’ death and resurrection.

During his final meal before he was crucified, Jesus took bread, blessed it, then broke it and shared it with his disciples. He said the bread represents his body, broken for us. Then he took wine (which represents the blood that he shed for our sins) and shared it with his disciples. Jesus told us to eat the bread and drink the wine to remember him (Luke 22:14-20).

The Bible goes on to tell us that we shouldn’t take Communion lightly. We should examine our hearts and make sure we’re not treating Communion as if it’s a meal. We should take Communion understanding that it’s an act of remembrance and honor to Jesus, until he returns for us (1 Corinthians 11:20-34).

He has eternally existed as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are coequal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14)

 

In Water. Being submerged in water is a public way to celebrate the spiritual change that happened when you were born again. It’s a symbol of having died and been buried, then coming up out of the grave free of our old dead selves (John 3:3-21; Acts 8:27-39). Water baptism does not save you; it’s a celebration of being saved. This is why water baptism is only offered to those who understand salvation and have been saved.

In the Holy Spirit. Being submerged in the Holy Spirit is a free gift from Jesus Christ to anyone who is both saved and willing to receive it (Mark 1:8, Luke 11:13; Acts 19:1-6). This baptism sometimes first shows up as speaking in a spiritual language (also known as “tongues,” Acts 2:4). Since the Holy Spirit is our helper (John 14:26), being baptized in Him empowers us to a life of discipleship (Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:22-23).

Jesus came to bring us back into relationship with God (John 10:10, Colossians 1:21-23) and destroy the devil’s influence (1 John 3:8). He did this through his death, burial and resurrection (being raised from the dead).

Marriage is a sacred covenant made between one man and one woman, before God. This covenant was created by God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:20-25), and confirmed by Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:3-6; Mark 10:3-9). This sacred covenant as instituted by God is both promoted and celebrated at Freedom House.

In the Holy Spirit. Being submerged in the Holy Spirit is a free gift from Jesus Christ to anyone who is both saved and willing to receive it (Mark 1:8, Luke 11:13; Acts 19:1-6). This baptism sometimes first shows up as speaking in a spiritual language (also known as “tongues,” Acts 2:4). Since the Holy Spirit is our helper (John 14:26), being baptized in Him empowers us to a life of discipleship (Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:22-23).

Jesus came to bring us back into relationship with God (John 10:10, Colossians 1:21-23) and destroy the devil’s influence (1 John 3:8). He did this through his death, burial and resurrection (being raised from the dead).