Emmanuel Baptist Church
Student Ministry
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What We Believe

     We believe the only way to break down religious walls and denominational barriers is to teach the basic fundamental truths of the bible.  We believe that every word of the bible is Absolutely true.  There are no flaws, no contradictions, and no room for prideful personal interpretation.  It is the ultimate and final authority for all things. 

      We believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven (John 14:6).  We believe that He is the One and Only Son of God (John 3:16)  We believe that He was born of a virgin, lived 33 1/2 sinless years, died a criminals death yet did no wrong, and that 3 days after His death on the cross, He arose from the grave defeating death, hell and the grave. And that He is alive and well sitting at the right hand of the father.  We also believe that, soon, He will come again, not as a babe in a manger, not as a man to be beaten or mocked, but as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

       We believe that Heaven is a real place, and we believe that hell is a real place.  We believe that Heaven is a place that only those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will enter in.  We believe that those who reject Jesus Christ will spend eternity in hell.  We believe that a person can not have heaven and eternal life without the forgiveness of sin from God the Father.  Without this, we will perish. 

 

F: is for FORGIVENESS 
We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God's forgiveness.
"In whom [meaning Jesus] we have redemtion through His blood, the forgiveness of sins"- Ephesians 1:7
A: is for AVAILABLE 
Forgiveness is available.  It is -
Available for All
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not persih but have everlasting life." - John 3:16  (Even if you were the last person on the face of the planet, Jesus would have still died just for you.)
 
But forgiveness is not Automatic
(A good person can never be good enough to get into heaven.  A smart person can never be smart enough to get into heaven.  A rich person can never have enough money to pay the price for his/her entrance into heaven.  All roads do not lead to heaven.  The only way into heaven is through Jesus Christ. )
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; No one comes unto the Father except by [through] Me."  - John 14:6
 
Jesus also said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord', shall enter the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 7:21
(a simple head knowledge of Jesus Christ is not enough.  You must have a personal relationship with Jesus.)
I: is for IMPOSSIBLE
It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven. Why?
 
Because of who He is
God is loving and just.  He hates sin.  His judgement is against sin. 
And because of this, "His judgement for sin is without mercy" - James 2:13
 
Also because of who we are
Every person is a sinner.  You don't have to teach a baby how to lie.  It comes naturally.  It is our nature to sin.  Even when we don't try, it's still there.   And because of this, we are found guilty before God.  We can never be good enough.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23
 
Good Question to ask:
But how can a sinful person like me enter heaven, where God allows no sin?
(I'm glad you asked that question, which brings me to the next letter)
T: is for TURN 
Turn means to simply repent.  Here's an example:  Suppose you and your family were driving across the country for a well planned and rightly earned vacation and you are about 200 miles away from your house.  Then it hits you,  you realize that you forgot to turn the stove off from earlier that morning.  Not only that, you left a pan of cooking oil on the stove as well.  What would you do?  If you're like me, you would turn around and go back home hopefully before the house goes up in smoke. 
 
To repent means to do exactly what was just mentioned. 
 
Turn from something - Sin and self
"unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." -  Luke 13:3
 
Turn to Someone; Trust Christ Only
(The bible tells us that)"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
 
"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9
H: is for HEAVEN
Heaven is eternal life.
You can have and enjoy a piece of heaven HERE.
Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." - John 10:10
(Becoming a Christian does not mean that all your troubles will be over.  It just simply means that with Jesus, you can have victory over the troubles of life.  Jesus promised us that He will never leave you nor forsake you.  There is no greater peace than the peace Jesus offers, there is no greater joy than the joy Jesus gives, and there is no greater contentment found in knowing that God is in complete and total control of everything.)
 
You can also have heaven in the hereafter.
(The greatest thing about being a Christian is knowing that one day, I am going to spend eternity in heaven. In heaven, there are no tears, no fears, no death, no darkness, no sadness, no sin, no cancer, no hate, and praise God no troubles.)
Jesus said, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and recieve you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." - John 14:3
 
How
How can a person have God's forgiveness, heaven, and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord?  Simply by trusting in Christ and asking Him for forgiveness.  FAITH ( Forsakeing All I Trust Him)