The Bible is a collection of historical documents written by eyewitnesses in the presence of other eyewitnesses. Culturally it remains the most impactful book of all time. Historically the Bible is 100% accurate, with over 25000 archeological digs proving each happened how the Bible describes it, with hundreds of eyewitnesses also attesting to the same observed events. There has never been an archeological find to disprove any event or story in the bible. In addition to this, the resurrection of Jesus remains the most well documented event in ancient history with thousands of original manuscripts dating back to less than 50 years after the events, and all written by eyewitnesses. Scientifically the Bible is the most reasonable explanation for life on this planet, as all other theories pale in comparison. For example the big bang requires you to believe that everything we know has come from nothing, and evolution causes requires you to believe that life not only began randomly, not only that it evolved by gaining information over time, but that it also was able to sustain itself the moment it was spontaneously “born”. Applicably the Bible remains true, as those who adhere to its message reap the benefits explained in it (peace, love, joy…).

Jesus says, “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Mt 4:4 ESV)). We believe the Bible to be the Word of God, and thus we use it to understand the standards of truth that God has, living according to His moral code, and His plan for our lives. We do not assume we know right and wrong and good and evil, but we submit to the authority of God’s word to determine what is good, what is evil, what is right, and what is wrong. We believe Apostle Paul is correct when he says “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness”. (2 Tim 3:16 ESV)

They are of one essence (God), with one purpose (the Father’s glory), with one method (The Son’s death/resurrection), by one means (revelation through the Holy Spirit), yet they are three distinct “people” with a heart, emotions, and roles. To define “glory” it is the greatness of one being understood.

We hold true to the Bible in Genesis where God (ELOHIM… El (God)… him (Plural) but Elohim is surrounded by singular pronouns and literary indicators) creates the world (Gen 1:1). As a creator, he had no inspiration, no manual, no reference by with to draw from. He alone, from NOTHING, created the world and all that resides in it. In the book of Colossians, we find out that Jesus, created the world (Col 1:16). But Jesus is not God the father, for he submitted to the will of God the father. You can see this submission throughout the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and summarized by Paul in Philippians 2: 5-11. During Jesus’s life on earth, he indicated he would send “ANOTHER HELPER” (John 14). Contextually and grammatically, this means one of the same kind, of like essence. He discusses the Holy Spirit in greater details throughout the next few chapters (John 14-16). In this he explains the Holy Spirit will help, comfort, reveal truths, guide, and teach. After he raises from the dead, Jesus explains the Holy Spirit will empower his followers to share witness and testimony to the truth of the gospel. (Acts 1:8). Later, his apostles speak about the Holy Spirit as the one who gives “spiritual gifts”, which empower all to do God’s will and glorify God. (Romans 12, 1 Cor 12-14, Eph 4, …).
Conclusion: We believe God the Father receives all the glory, God the Son represents all the glory, and God the Spirit reveals all the glory.

God created man, Genesis 1-3 account. In this creation passage one will find God wanted man to enjoy being with God in a garden, a perfect place with no pain or death. God made man to enjoy it and made a covenant with him… he can enjoy as long as he doesn’t eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. However, we learn that Adam does eventually eat of that fruit, and get kicked out of the garden. God then continues to make covenants/promises to his people (Abrahamic Covenant, Mosaic Covenant, Davidic Covenent, etc…). Each covenant designed to keep man in relationship with God and to enjoy God. If the covenant if broken, it will result in the wrath of God. Despite this, we learn that man rejects and breaks every covenant.

From Adam’s first sin we find out that Man is incapable of following the covenants of God. He chooses evil and in his heart is evil all the time (Gen 6, Jer 17). Apostle Paul quotes Psalms saying “no one is righteous, not one” (Ro 3:10, quoting Ps 14, Ps 53). Paul then puts it into his own words “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Ro 3:23). This is universally true and accepted even among non-believers. However these non-believers may word it differently than the Christian, “Nobody’s perfect”.

It was very clear that covenant breaking, which all men do, incurs the wrath of a just God. We see plagues, snakes, famines, wanderings, conquering, wars, storms, preachers, teachings, prophets, curses, and blessings to direct God’s people.m God uses all means to instruct his people that they need to repent of their ways and turn back to God. However they keep sinning. Apostle Paul later in Romans explains it clearly “The wages of sin is death” (Ro 6:23). In short, the world that God created, is filled with people that he is mad at, and a just God will carry out is wrath upon mankind.

God’s wrath was satiated, and justice was completed on the cross when the Son, Jesus Christ, died in our place, taking the punishment we rightfully deserve. Isaiah prophecies about Jesus hundreds of years before Jesus died. He said “It was the will of the LORD (God the Father) to crush him… (because)… he bore the sins of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors” (Is 53:10, 12), and “upon him was the chastisement that brough us peace” (Is 53:5). God is pleased, not because his Son died, but because of what His Son did… His son took on our punishment so the goal of our existence will be made manifest: to glorify God and enjoy him. There is now peace between the believer and God.

The relationship between God and man is restored/healed. This salvation requires the grace of God, and the faith/belief of the Christian. John 3 discusses the born-again experience. Jesus discusses with a pharisee called Nicodemus, and states his most famous line; “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”. (John 3:16). Earlier in the book, John introduces this by saying anyone who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12). Apostle Paul writes “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. (Ro 10:9). So we are called to make a decision to believe that Jesus is as the bible says, and make him lord (ruler) of our lives.

There are many verses and sections in the Bible that discuss transformation. Romans 12 discusses being transformed as we are no longer conformed to the worldly patterns. James discusses that we are to “hate” the world. Ephesians discusses that we are changed more and more into his likeness. One of the most quoted verses of all time is that we are changed “from glory to glory”. Despite the different interpretations of this verse, the objective and meaning is clear; we are being transformed and changed by the glory and for the glory of God.

Fire is often an abused term, and we don’t want to make that mistake. In the Bible, for the most part, fire is a terrible thing, and biblically speaking the fire of God is something that I would want to avoid at all costs. However, in today’s culture “Fire” has come to be synonymous with passion. Passion is something that God absolutely wants among his believers. He says he wants his believers to worship him and love him with all their heart, with all their mind, and with all their soul. And then to love your neighbor as yourself. (Mt 12:30-31). This is the greatest commandment according to Jesus. And this is also what we call “fire”. Having the “fire” of God is obeying the greatest commandment to love God and to love others.