WE AS A CHURCH ARE COMMITTED TO THE CORE DOCTRINES OF THE HISTORIC ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAITH. WE CAN'T KNOW GOD FULLY, BUT WE CAN KNOW HIM ACCURATELY. WE'RE UNIFIED IN THE BIG THINGS THAT SCRIPTURE MAKES CLEAR, BUT WE DON'T MAKE SMALL THINGS INTO BIG THINGS. THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT AS CHURCH WE HAVE DEEMED ‘NON-NEGOTIABLE’:
THE BIBLEThe Bible is the Word of God, written by human authors through divine inspiration by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is the clearest way in which God has communicated to us. The Bible is truth without any mixture of error, and it is the complete and accurate testimony of God's character.
(Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Heb. 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20, 21.) THE TRINITYThere is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who exist as one substance in three persons: Each member of the Trinity serves different functions, having equal power and authority.
(Gen. 1:26; Deut. 6:4; Isa. 6:8; Matt. 28:19; John 3:16 2 Cor. 1:21, 22; 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2.) The FATHERGod is the Creator and Sustainer of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and filled with love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also those of the Father.
(Gen. 1:1; Deut. 4:35; Ps. 110:1, 4; John 3:16; 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:28; 1 Tim. 1:17; 1 John 4:8; Rev. 4:11.) THE SONJesus is fully human but, at the same time, fully God. He came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead. Through Jesus the character of God is revealed. His life, death, and resurrection, has given us an example by which to live, and the hope of eternal life.
(Isa. 53:4-6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3, 14; 5:22; 10:30; 14:1-3, 9, 13; Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; 2 Cor. 3:18; 5:17-19; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-19; Heb. 2:9- 18; 8:1, 2.) THE HOLY SPIRITThe Holy Spirit guides, renews, and transforms us into the image of God. He is the assurance of our relationship with Jesus. The Holy Spirit extends spiritual gifts to all believers, convicts us of sin, and leads us to Christ.
(Gen. 1:1, 2; Eph. 1:13; Ps. 51:11; Isa. 61:1; Luke 1:35; 4:18; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 5:3; 10:38; Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Peter 1:21.) sinAll individuals are born with a sin nature that affects their motivation, action, and affection. We sin when we fall short of God’s standard in action, thought, and character. The results of sin is that each of us is separated from God and His purpose for our lives.
(Gen. 1:26,27; 2:7 23; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; James 1:14-15) SALVATIONThe death of Jesus has provided life to whoever believes in Him. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ. We are not capable of saving ourselves, therefore nothing we do can earn our salvation: It is found by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
(Mark 9:23, 24; John 3:3-8, 16; 16:8; Rom. 3:21-26; 8:1-4, 14-17; 5:6-10; 10:17; 12:2; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Gal. 1:4; 3:13, 14, 26; 4:4-7; Eph. 2:4-10; Col. 1:13, 14; Titus 3:3-7; Heb. 8:7-12; 1 Peter 1:23; 2:21, 22; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rev. 13:8.) THE CHURCHThe Church is a community of believers who join together for worship, fellowship, and celebration. The Church is committed to the teachings of Jesus, obeying His commands, and bringing hope and healing to the world.
(Matt. 16:13-20; 18:18; 28:19, 20; Acts 2:38-42; 7:38; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 1:22, 23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11; 5:23-27; Col. 1:17, 18; 1 Peter 2:9.) DEATH AND RESURRECTIONGod will grant eternal life to all who believe in him. Heaven and Hell are literal places, and they are determined by our response to Jesus' offer of salvation. All those who are dead in Christ will be bodily resurrected.
(John 5:28, 29; 11:11-14; Rom. 6:23; 16; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 20:1-10.) BAPTISMBy baptism through immersion in water, we proclaim the gospel message. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and lives again. By joining in baptism, we’re identifying ourselves with Him. We’re now dead to the power of sin. Being raised up out of the water expresses our new life in Christ and our union with Him. Baptism is not a requirement for salvation, but it is a symbol of our commitment to Christ, and the forgiveness of our sins.
(Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 2:38; 16:30-33; 22:16; Rom. 6:1-6; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12, 13.) |
Family
The human race was created as male and female by a direct act of God to fully reveal His image. Marriage is a sacred covenantal union between a man and a woman. God has chosen to use both genders to accomplish His Gospel purposes. Both men and women are called to serve in ministry, yet still honour the natural and spiritual dynamics that God has designed, in which there are clear and distinct roles between men and women.
(Gen. 1:26-28; Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-5; Eph. 5:21-33; Rom. 1:24-27, 1 Cor. 11:3) |