Christian Doctrines
Christian Doctrines in 10 Minutes
A series of short videos based with Pastor Alex on Wayne Grudens book "Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know". These 10 minute or less video clips will each explore a summarized view of core Christian doctrines. These are condensed versions of full in person doctrine classes we offer.
What is the Bible?
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, enduring forever. It is God’s special revelation to man, without error in the original manuscripts and in all its teachings. Human authors wrote the books that compose the Bible under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and it has supreme authority over our lives.
What is Creation?
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3) “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16)
Who is God?
To even consider the ideas of God is an idea so wonderous, nothing is more humbling and exciting than, through His grace, speaking about God in ways we are not worthy of. Every time we study it, our hearts should race and beat as if we are looking into things, we are not worthy to investigate, except by grace. A feeling of, I should be struck down by thinking on things so great and vast while there is sin in my life, but Christ and the Spirit allow me to consider such things in Mercy.
What is Prayer?
The discipline of prayer is about communing with God. As Bible intake is God’s communication to us, prayer is our communication to Him. This often takes the form of thoughts or words directed at God, but it is largely about our hearts and lives being rightly postured before God. God is sovereign over all and is unchanging, but in a beautifully paradoxical way has decreed that our prayers affect real change in our lives and the world around us. He listens and He responds in His timing and way, wanting to hear from us.
What are Angels and Demons?
Angels and Demons are real beings. Angels created by God to do his will and Demons who are Fallen Angels who sinned against God. While these beings are not the focus of the Bible it is important to have some base understanding of their realty and their proper place with respect to God.
What is Mankind?
After God created the plants and animals, he had one more thing to create, the pinnacle of his creation.” (20 Christian Beliefs - Wayne Grudem 58) Created in the Image of God “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created [bara] him; male and female he created [bara] them…” (Genesis 1:27)
What is Sin?
“Sin is any failure to confirm to the moral law of God in act, attitude or nature” (20 Christian Beliefs - Wayne Grudem 62) Since Sin is anything contrary to who God is, since sin contradicts God, God cannot sin nor be the originator of sin. God’s work is perfect and just. God cannot even desire to do wrong, for all that he desires is good as he is the very standard for good. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
Who is Jesus Christ?
Jesus Christ is God’s one and only Son, fully human and fully divine. He humbled Himself by taking on the form of a servant and was obedient to the point of death on the cross as the sinless Lamb of God to secure forgiveness for the sins and restoration of everlasting life for all who confess their sin and confess Him as Lord. He rose again on the third day, having conquered sin and death and is now seated at the Father’s side awaiting His triumphal return to gather His people and reign forever.
What is Salvation? (Part 1: Election)
The salvation of man is the sovereign work of God in response to humanity’s depravity and inability to regain a right-standing relationship with a holy God who originally created man in His image.
What is Salvation? (Part 2: God's Work and Our Obedience)
The result of man’s sin is death, both spiritual and physical. Salvation from this death is secured by God as a free gift by grace alone, through faith alone, because Christ alone, and for the glory of God alone. This was secured by the atoning death of Jesus on the cross, where He exchanged our sin with His righteousness. Salvation is for all who believe in Jesus, repent of their sin, trust and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior. This results from the regeneration of hearts by the Spirit and gift of faith given to God’s children. Salvation is secured and maintained by God Himself in His grace and power.
What is the Church?
Christ will build His church! "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) “The church is the community of all true believers for all time. That is the church is made up of all the men and women who have been, are, or ever will be true believers in Jesus” (Christian Beliefs, 113, Wayne Grudem)
What Happens When We Die?
In death we are finally freed from our sinful bodies. We join with Christ in his death, as He died and with it sin, so we die to our sin and complete our sanctification, the final death of our flesh. This is a way that can help us see “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…” (Romans 8:28). God works through our sufferings and even our worst suffering, death.
What Happens when Christ Returns?
Jesus Christ will return to earth to judge the living and dead and visibly establish His kingdom, reigning forever. There will be a resurrection of the body and those who are in Christ will be gloriously united with God in heaven for all of eternity, while the wicked will suffer for eternity separated from God in hell.