Truths and Guidance
What We Believe
We believe in the Bible.
2 Timothy 3:16 states:
”All scripture is given by inspiration of God…”
We believe this applies to the whole Bible.
What is the Bible?
The Bible is a holy volume consisting of sixty-six separate books written by more than forty inspired authors over a period of more than fifteen hundred years. It was written on three continents in three different languages. Despite the diversity of authors, cultures, and circumstances, there is complete unity in the overall message of scripture. The Bible deals with hundreds of controversial subjects but never contradicts itself. In fact, it shows flawless internal consistency.
The Bible is not a science book, but when it speaks of scientific matters it is completely accurate. No archeological discovery has contradicted the Bible. In Job 26:7 written more than one thousand years before Christ, it says:
“He...hangeth the earth upon nothing.”
Also in Isaiah 40:22 it says:
”It is he [God] that sitteth upon the circle of the earth…”
The Bible accurately stated that the Earth is round and that it hangs on nothing long before science could prove those facts were true. Because of these and many other convincing proofs, we believe the Bible to be an accurate guidebook for life. All doctrines we teach and observe are therefore derived from the Word of God.
What We Teach
We teach from God’s word and God’s word only!
2 Peter 1:20-21 says:
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
If God said it, we believe it, and that settles it. Even though some passages in the Bible may be difficult to understand, most of the Scripture is easy to read and easy to comprehend. You don’t need a college degree to understand what God’s will is for your life. We recognize that some will try to twist the meaning of Scripture for selfish reasons.
2 Peter 3:16:
“...they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”
This attitude towards God’s Word is dangerous and causes many problems. Not only should God’s Word be understood correctly, but it also shouldn’t be added to, or subtracted from. One of the last verses of the Bible states this warning:
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
-Revelation 22:18-19
Therefore, we at the church at Reno strive to be accurate in our preaching and teaching.
This church was started on the day of Pentecost when Peter preached the first Gospel sermon. The organization, creed, and teachings of this church are revealed in the scriptures. The things we teach are based on the teaching we have received from Jesus, the apostles, and prophets as found in the Word of God.
What We Teach About God
The Bible reveals that there is one true God. God is sovereign, eternal, all-powerful, and all-knowing. He created the universe and all that exists in six days. He is eternal. He is Spirit. He is present in all places, at all times. He is holy, just, and unchanging. He is full of mercy, love, and understanding.
God has one divine nature, but three personalities. The Godhead is composed of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All three are the one true God described above. This concept and others about the nature of God are hard for the human mind to comprehend.
Isaiah 55:9 tells us why:
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
What We Teach About Christ
Jesus Christ is the second person of the trinity.
John 1:1-3 states:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”
We know Jesus is the living Word spoken of here because in verse 14 of the same chapter it goes on to say:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Jesus was born of a virgin. He lived a sinless life. He willingly gave Himself as the sacrifice for our sins. He was beaten, mocked, and falsely accused. He gave no defense but was silent. He was crucified, and with his death, he paid the price for our sins. He arose from the grave on the third day and lives forevermore. He is ascended to heaven where He sits at God’s right hand. His story is the central message and theme of the whole Bible. The Old Testament reveals the fact that man needs a Savior, and God promises to send the Messiah.
The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) reveal that God did send his Son.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
-John 3:16
Jesus is the head of the church. The New Testament reveals that one day He will come again. He is coming to bring judgment, and God’s wrath is revealed against all unrighteousness. At the same time, He will come to get his bride (the church) and take us to be with Him forever. He is the only way to the Father.
He is the way, the truth, and the life.
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
-Acts 4:12
What We Teach About Salvation
No human being can live a perfect life.
Romans 3:23 says:
”For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Isaiah 59:2 tells us that our sins separate us from God. God has therefore provided a way of Salvation. God’s Word reveals this plan of Salvation. God’s plan, according to the Scripture, includes several steps.
First, sinners need to hear the gospel (Rom 10:17). They then need to come to a state of belief. Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God and that He died on the cross for their sins (Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:37). Sinners must repent of their sins. They must renounce the sins they are committing and pledge to live a changed life (Acts 2:38, Acts 17:30-31). They must confess Jesus as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:10, Matthew 10:32-33).
Baptism by immersion in water is the next step in God’s plan (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:15-16, 1 Pet 3:21). The process of Salvation does not end when one comes out of the water, but a changed way of life should be evidenced in every Christian’s life (1 Timothy 6:11-16, Philippians 4:8-9, Galatians 5:21-22).
What We Teach About Christian Life
We are to learn together and grow together as the body of Christ. Our goal is to become more like Christ every day. This is accomplished by faithful and careful study of God’s Word, and by continuous fellowship with other Christians. Daily prayer and meditation on God’s Word are very beneficial in accomplishing these goals.
“They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added (unto them) in that day about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and prayers.”
- Acts 2:41-42
