TL;DR - Quick Summary
- Core doctrines are non-negotiable truths taught in Scripture
- The Trinity: One God in three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
- Jesus is fully God and fully man, died for our sins, rose again
- Salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone
- The Bible is God's inspired, authoritative Word
- Christ will return to judge and establish His eternal kingdom
1. The Doctrine of God (Theology Proper)
God's Attributes
Eternal
No beginning, no end (Psalm 90:2)
Omnipresent
Present everywhere (Jeremiah 23:24)
Omniscient
Knows everything (1 John 3:20)
Omnipotent
All-powerful (Revelation 19:6)
Holy
Perfectly pure and set apart (Isaiah 6:3)
Just
Perfectly fair and righteous (Deuteronomy 32:4)
Loving
The very essence of love (1 John 4:8)
Unchanging
The same yesterday, today, forever (Hebrews 13:8)
2. The Trinity
One of Christianity's most profound and essential teachings:
The Biblical Teaching:
- There is ONE God (Deuteronomy 6:4)
- This one God exists eternally in THREE distinct persons
- The Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God
- They are not three gods, but one God in three persons
- Each person is fully God, yet distinct in role and relationship
God the Father
Role: Creator, planner of redemption
Sends: The Son and the Spirit
God the Son
Role: Redeemer, mediator
Accomplishes: Our salvation through incarnation, death, resurrection
God the Holy Spirit
Role: Sanctifier, empowerer
Applies: Salvation to believers, indwells and transforms
3. The Person and Work of Jesus Christ (Christology)
The Hypostatic Union
Jesus is one person with two natures:
Fully God
- Existed eternally (John 1:1)
- Performed miracles (John 11:43-44)
- Forgave sins (Mark 2:5-7)
- Worshiped by angels (Hebrews 1:6)
- Called "Lord and God" (John 20:28)
Fully Human
- Born of a virgin (Luke 2:7)
- Grew and learned (Luke 2:52)
- Experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue (John 4:6-7)
- Tempted in every way (Hebrews 4:15)
- Truly died (John 19:30)
The Work of Christ
Prophet
Reveals God's truth and will
Priest
Offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice
King
Rules and reigns over all creation
4. Salvation (Soteriology)
The Five Solas of the Reformation
Sola Scriptura
Scripture Alone
The Bible is our final authority
Sola Gratia
Grace Alone
Salvation is by God's grace, not our merit
Sola Fide
Faith Alone
We are justified by faith, not works
Solus Christus
Christ Alone
Jesus is the only mediator and Savior
Soli Deo Gloria
Glory to God Alone
All glory belongs to God, not us
How Salvation Works:
Conviction
Holy Spirit reveals your sin and need (John 16:8)
Repentance
You turn from sin toward God (Acts 3:19)
Faith
You trust in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Justification
God declares you righteous (Romans 5:1)
Adoption
You become God's child (Galatians 4:5)
Sanctification
Ongoing transformation (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Glorification
Future perfection in heaven (Romans 8:30)
"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."
Ephesians 2:8-95. The Holy Spirit (Pneumatology)
The Spirit's Ministry:
Convicts of Sin
Shows us our need for Christ (John 16:8)
Regenerates
Gives spiritual birth (John 3:5-6)
Indwells Believers
Lives within every Christian (1 Cor 6:19)
Seals & Guarantees
Marks us as God's possession (Eph 1:13-14)
Sanctifies
Makes us more like Christ (2 Thess 2:13)
Empowers
Gives strength for service (Acts 1:8)
Gives Gifts
Equips for ministry (1 Cor 12:4-11)
Produces Fruit
Develops Christlike character (Gal 5:22-23)
6. The Church (Ecclesiology)
What is the Church?
The Church (with a capital C) is not a building but the global community of all believers in Jesus Christ.
Body of Christ
We are united with Christ as His body, each member with a unique function (1 Cor 12:12-27)
Bride of Christ
The Church is betrothed to Jesus, awaiting the wedding feast (Eph 5:25-27)
God's Temple
We are God's dwelling place, built on Christ the cornerstone (1 Peter 2:4-5)
Family of God
We are brothers and sisters with God as our Father (Eph 2:19)
Purpose of the Church:
- Worship: Glorify God together (Psalm 95:6)
- Discipleship: Grow in faith and maturity (Eph 4:11-13)
- Fellowship: Love and encourage one another (Heb 10:24-25)
- Service: Use our gifts to build up the body (1 Peter 4:10)
- Mission: Make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19-20)
7. Last Things (Eschatology)
What Christians Universally Believe:
Christ Will Return
Jesus will come again visibly and bodily (Acts 1:11; Rev 1:7)
The Resurrection
All will be raised—believers to life, unbelievers to judgment (John 5:28-29)
Final Judgment
Everyone will stand before God's throne (Rev 20:11-15)
Heaven is Real
Eternal joy with God for all who trust in Christ (Rev 21:1-4)
Hell is Real
Eternal separation from God for those who reject Christ (Matt 25:46)
New Creation
God will make a new heaven and new earth (Rev 21:1)
Why These Doctrines Matter:
- They define what it means to be a Christian
- They protect us from false teaching
- They give us confidence in our faith
- They unite believers across cultures and centuries
- They shape how we live and think