“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

“God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

Genesis 1:27

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21.

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

“For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

 Grace through faith in Jesus Christ

“God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

Ephesians 2:6-8.

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.

Repenting of our sins

“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30

“…repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations…” Luke 24:47.

Baptism into Christ to have our sins washed away

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39.

“…all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus, were baptized into his death.  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:3-4.

Continuing in the faith

“…he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out for you in the gospel.” Colossians 1:22-23.

“We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.  We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”

Hebrews 6:11-12.

“…if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Romans 8:13-14.

“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.  He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22.

“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts, and though all its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ.”  1 Corinthians 12:12

“Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.”  1 Corinthians 12:14

“God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.”  1 Corinthians 12:18

“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”  

1 Corinthians 12:26

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” I Corinthians 12:27.

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:23

“Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” Acts 14:23

“The elders, who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially whose work is preaching and teaching.” I Timothy 5:17

“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.  Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” Paul’s words to the elders of the Ephesian church in Acts 20:28.