TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL STATEMENT OF FAITH We believe that the Holy Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God and contain all things necessary for salvation. This great book, the Holy Bible, is the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life. "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8). We believe in one living and true God, Creator of all things, infinite in power, wisdom and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things both visible and invisible, eternally existing in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all". (II Corinthians 13:14). We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross for our sins; on the third day rose bodily from the dead and now sits on the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and advocate. "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (II Corinthians 5:19). We believe that the Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is God's presence at work in the world, church, and individual. The Holy Spirit empowers, inspires, guides, and leads the believer into the truth of new life in Christ. "When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth....and will tell you of what is yet to come" (John 15:13). "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:23). We believe that humanity was created in the image of God for the primary purpose of glorifying and enjoying Him forever. Since the Fall of Adam, however, sin has pervaded every person, extending into societal systems and all creation. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We believe that God offers salvation to humanity and a lost world through Jesus Christ. When anyone turns away from sin, believes and receives Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, that person is forgiven and transformed. "I tell you the truth, unless a (person) is bom again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith....and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God....not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8). We believe that the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper should be celebrated in obedience to Christ's command. They celebrate the full benefits of Christ's death and resurrection, and the hope we have of ultimately being joined with our Lord in triumphant glory. "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" (Matthew 28:19). "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes (again)" (I Corinthians 11:26). We believe that the Church of Jesus Christ is the community of all true believ- ers under His sovereign Lordship and set apart for His purposes in the world. "There is one body and one Spirit....one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:4,5)