Statement of Beliefs
1. The Bible
We believe the Bible, composed of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament, to be the inspired (God-breathed) Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). It is the final authority for all matters of faith and practice. In other words, it is the revealed will of God concerning what Christians should believe and how they should live.
We believe that since the Bible is the inspired Word of God, it is then authoritative in what it says about areas of human behavior. This includes guidelines for social areas such as marriage, sexuality, and racial or gender issues. It also includes guidelines for natural areas such as property and wealth (Genesis 1-11; Deuteronomy 8; Psalm 24:1; Proverbs 3:9-10).
We believe that the Bible defines marriage as the covenant relationship between a biological man and a biological woman. The importance of this union to our culture requires that we support and protect marriage as the Word of God does (Genesis 2:24; Romans 1:27; Ephesians 5:22, 25; 1 Peter 3:1-7).
2. God
There is only one, true God, eternally existing in three distinct Personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, having the same nature, attributes, and perfections, and are therefore worthy of the same worship and obedience. Theologians often use the word “Trinity” (Tri-Unity) to describe the nature of God. God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of the universe.
“There are ‘Three Great Imponderables’ in life:
The Trinity
Eternity
The Incarnation”
–Pastor Jack Hayford
(Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Peter 1:2)
3. Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, meaning He is co-equal with the Father. He is the expressed image of the invisible God and Creator of all things. He became a man, being born of the virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life. Consequently, Jesus offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross.
He rose bodily from the dead after three days, demonstrating His victory over sin and death. He ascended to heaven, seated in authority, and will return again to earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords (this is sometimes referred to as “The Second Coming”).
“Jesus Christ is perfect theology.”–Pastor Bill Johnson
(Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5, 14, 5:18; Acts 1:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-15)
4. The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son. He is Creator, and is present in the world to convict people of their sin and make them aware of their need for the Savior – Jesus Christ. People are regenerated (born again) by the Holy Spirit, and He lives in believers to manifest the character of Christ. He provides believers with power for holy living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance for life.
He also gives Christians spiritual gifts, so they might serve the Church and the world in a manner that surpasses their own natural abilities and limitations. The victorious Christian life must be lived under His daily control.
(Genesis 1:2; John 14:16-17, 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14, 12:3-11; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18)
5. People
People are created in the image of God, and are designed to reflect His character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation and love. Through willful transgression and disobedience (sin), people have fallen from their originally created state of righteousness, peace, and joy into a state of separation from God.
Being separated from the source of life, love, and joy has resulted in bondage and death. People are unable to deliver themselves from their sinful condition, but are totally dependent upon the power of God as presented in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good.”–C.S. Lewis
(Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23; 5:12-21)
6. Salvation
Because people are unable to save themselves from their sinful condition, salvation is altogether the work of God. Neither good works nor self-improvement can make up for our sin. Salvation is the free gift of God. However, like any gift it must be received.
This gift is received by faith, or by believing and trusting in Jesus Christ who died as our substitute that we might live. Through repentance from sin and faith toward God, we turn from our self-ruled life to trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
(John 1:12; 14:6; Romans 5:6-21; 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5)
7. The Church
The Church is composed of all who have experienced, through faith in Christ, the new birth into the family of God. All true believers are then members of the universal Church, the body of Christ. Since the New Testament exhorts believers to gather for such purposes as worship, prayer, fellowship, sharing the Lord’s Supper (communion), teaching of the Word, ministry to fellow Christians, and evangelism, the local church is an indispensable part of God’s plan for His people and the world.
We believe in the spiritual unity of all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and in cooperating with one another for the causes of evangelism, social action, and missions.
“The local church is the hope of the world.”–Pastor Bill Hybels
(Matthew 16:16-18; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4-6; 4:15-16)
8. Eternal Destiny
God created people to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. Eternal separation from God is hell. Eternal fellowship and union with God is eternal life, or heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy , the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”–C.S. Lewis
(Ecclesiastes 3:11; Matthew 19:29; 25:31-46; John 3:16; Matthew 25:31-46, 19:29; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:11-15)