Beliefs
What we believe
Too many people have experienced religious groups that use their beliefs to mistreat & divide.
We think God's church can do better. All people matter to Him, and that means meeting them where they are in their journey just like He did. The following belief statement exists to align our church in a healthy and unified way. It provides parameters which keep us focused on our mission.
It is not a measuring stick for who we accept or reject. Jesus already established that when He gave his life for all...
the following exists to align our church in a healthy and unified way...
God is...
The Creator and Ruler of the universe, exists eternally in three Persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. There is one God in three persons. God is personally and actively involved in our daily lives and cares about me.
(Gen. 1:2, 2 Peter 1:21, Gen. 1:1, Heb. 11:3, Psalm 121)
Jesus Christ is…
An actual person who is the only Son of God, lived a sinless life as fully human and fully God, died for the sins of mankind and rose from the dead on the 3rd day, later He ascended to heaven, and will one day return to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.(Rom. 1:3-4, John 3:16, John 1:14, Heb. 4:15, 1 Cor. 15:3-8, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Tim. 6:14-15)
The Holy Spirit is...
Equal with The Father and His Son Jesus Christ, lives inside us, fills us constantly, intercedes for us with God the Father, and is a constant help with our sin problem and practices.(John 16:5-15, Romans 8:26-27, Gal. 5:25, Eph. 5:18)
The Bible is...
God’s word to all people, written by human authors under the Supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is without error and is the ultimate guide for living and has the right to guide my beliefs and action.(2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Tim. 3:16-17, Prov. 30:5, Psalm 119:160, Psalm 119:105)
Mankind is...
Made in the spiritual image of God, and put in charge to rule over God’s creation. Each man and woman has willfully turned away from God, and is separated from Him because of our disobedience called sin.(Gen 1:27, Ps. 8:3-6, Is. 53:6, Rom. 3:23, Is. 59:1-2)
Salvation is...
By God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ and is a gift from God to all people. This gift is not earned through good works; it is simply given by trusting only in God’s Son Jesus Christ and by accepting His sacrifice on the cross on our behalf so that we can be forgiven of our sins. We show our faith and acceptance of this gift through the testimony of public baptism.(Eph. 2:1-10, Matt. 20: 1-2,8,9,14, John 14:6, Titus 3:5, Romans 5:1, Acts 2:38)
My Identity is...
In Christ. I am called a child of God, and have been adopted by Him as His child. I am called a friend of Christ and a joint heir with Him. I am the dwelling place of God and considered a saint.(John 1:12-13, Eph. 1:3-14, John 15:15, Rom. 8:17, 1 Cor. 15:22, 6:19, Col. 1:2)
My Privilege is...
Demonstrated by a call to be generous as God has been generous to me. I recognize that everything I have and own is God’s, and He calls me to be generous with all that I have, and to show this same generosity to Him, and others. I show this generosity to others through a life of compassion for those in need, including the weak, fatherless, poor and oppressed, as well as the orphans and widows. This is best accomplished through my devotion to Christ and use of the supernatural abilities given by God known as spiritual gifts.(Ps. 50:11, 1 Tim. 6:17-19, Mal. 3:10, Ps. 82:3-4, James 1:27)
Eternity is...
A time that begins when Jesus comes back to earth to establish his eternal kingdom and judge each and every person. After that, all people will exist forever either with God in a place known as heaven or without God in a place known as hell.(Jn 14:1-4, Matt. 24:36-42, Rev. 20:15)
The Church is...
The body of Christ on earth, and is primarily God’s way to accomplish His purpose. The church is made up of people who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. The purpose of the church is to show the lost the love of Christ, to equip its members for active service, and to disciple people so they can grow in their faith.(Eph. 4:15-16, 1 Cor. 12:27, Matt. 28:18-20, Eph. 4:11-14, Acts 2:38)