WHAT DO WE BELIEVE?
WE BELIEVE IN THE TEACHINGS OF BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY
Following The Original Teachings of The Early Apostles
FIVE CORE BELIEFS WE HOLD:
THE APOSTLE'S CREED
~390 A.D.
(A Symbol of The Christian Faith)
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy world wide church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. AMEN.
Foot notes:
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We are a Spirit-Led *group. We believe all who by faith receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior *into their hearts* are born again by the indwelling of The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings believers into the Body of Christ as children of God. This salvation is not a result of any human effort or merit. (John 1:12, 3:1-16, 10:27-30, 14:16-17: Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28, 8:9, 8:31-39; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:26-27; Philippians 1:6)
We believe all Christians still have a sinful nature, but God is in the process of transforming us into the likeness of His Son by the indwelling of His Spirit and *the renewing of our minds.* (1 John 1:8: Romans 5:3-19,8:11-13; Galatians 5:16; Philippians 1:9-11, 19)
We believe in the reality and personality of the evil one, Satan, who *alienates believers from God through deception. Believers overcome Satan's schemes by choosing to resist the devil, and to apply biblical truth *through* the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Ephesians 6:10-19; Luke 10:18; Job 1:6-12; John 8:44; Mark 4:15; Revelation 12:9; 1 Peter 5:8)
We believe the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts *(power tools) to each believer as needed to be used for building up the Body of Christ - the Church, *and to Glorify God - according to biblical guidelines and priorities.
(1 Corinthians 12:1-14; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Peter 4:10-11)
*We believe the Holy Spirit gives leadership gifts to some to equip the body of Christ to do the work of the ministry. (Eph. 4:11)
THE BIBLE
We are a Bible-Based *Group of Believers who believe the Bible consists of 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, and is the inspired and inerrant written Word of God. (Psalm 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17: 2 Peter 1:20-21)
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (see illustration above).
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Hebrews 1:8; Colossians 1:1~17; Genesis 1:26-27)
We believe man was created in the image of God, *but sinned, and therefore experienced *spiritual death (separation from God) and eventually physical death. As a result, everyone who does not accept Christ as their savior, is separated from God and eternally lost. (Genesis 2:17,3:6; Romans 5:12-19; Ephesians 2:1-3,4:18-19; Mark 7:20-23)
We believe Christ builds His Body, the Church, through His Word, His Spirit, and His people. The Word builds us up by teaching us the ways of God; by strengthening, comforting and giving us hope; by keeping us from sin; and by guiding us in righteousness. Similarly, God uses the Holy Spirit and His people to build the Body. Therefore, all believers are called to be ministers for Christ, *to be disciples of Christ, and to make Disciples for Christ. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all people for judgment. Believers will be judged, but will be found blameless because of the covering of the blood of Christ, and will enjoy eternal life with God. Unbelievers will be judged according to their deed in this life and will not inherit the kingdom of God.
(Corinthians 15:52; ,1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 20:4-6, 21:1-8; Galatians 5:19-21; John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2)
THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE
*We believe all Christians should order their lives according to biblical priorities, among them being:
• To Have a Revelation of Jesus Christ: Cultivating a personal fellowship with God. (I Thessalonians 5:17; John 15:1-2, 17:17)
• To Be Disciples of Christ: Extending Christ like love, peace, joy, unity etc towards fellow believers. And supporting a Christian community weekly with prayer, time, effort, talents and resources.
(Galatians 5:22-23; 6:10; Philippians 2:3-8 Romans 15:1-17; John 15:12-13)
• To Make Disciples for Christ: Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with nonbelievers in word, *deed, and through our lifestyle.
(John 15:26-27; Galatians 6:10; Matthew 5:16)
ROOM TO DISAGREE
*We believe Christians can agree to disagree on certain topics in the Bible. There are some doctrines on which two Christians may agree to disagree, even though they are in the same Bible Study, Local church, or Leadership team. Examples include, but are not limited to: the dating of events in Genesis, *the order of events associated with the Lord's return, and *the degree of separation from worldly practices. When teaching *on topics like these, it is made clear these beliefs are not essential for salvation or leadership.* We may state* our position, but will also acknowledge that sincere and intelligent Christians hold different views. We are committed to nurturing the unity we share as the family of God, and to obeying His command *which is to love another.
(Romans 14:1-15:7; 2 Timothy 2:23-24; Titus 3:9)
WE BELIEVE IN THE TEACHINGS OF BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY
Following The Original Teachings of The Early Apostles
FIVE CORE BELIEFS WE HOLD:
- Sola Scriptura ("Scripture alone") - The Bible alone is the sole authority for all matters of faith, life, and doctrine.
- Sola Fide ("faith alone") - Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
- Sola Gratia ("grace alone") - Salvation is by the grace of God alone.
- Solus Christus ("Christ alone") - Salvation is found only in Jesus Christ because of his atoning sacrifice.
- Soli Deo Gloria ("for the glory of God alone") - Salvation is accomplished by God alone, and only for his glory.
THE APOSTLE'S CREED
~390 A.D.
(A Symbol of The Christian Faith)
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy world wide church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. AMEN.
Foot notes:
- Creeds define and summarize our faith.
- A creed is a standard for faith.
- No creed is complete or final.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We are a Spirit-Led *group. We believe all who by faith receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior *into their hearts* are born again by the indwelling of The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings believers into the Body of Christ as children of God. This salvation is not a result of any human effort or merit. (John 1:12, 3:1-16, 10:27-30, 14:16-17: Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28, 8:9, 8:31-39; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:26-27; Philippians 1:6)
We believe all Christians still have a sinful nature, but God is in the process of transforming us into the likeness of His Son by the indwelling of His Spirit and *the renewing of our minds.* (1 John 1:8: Romans 5:3-19,8:11-13; Galatians 5:16; Philippians 1:9-11, 19)
We believe in the reality and personality of the evil one, Satan, who *alienates believers from God through deception. Believers overcome Satan's schemes by choosing to resist the devil, and to apply biblical truth *through* the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Ephesians 6:10-19; Luke 10:18; Job 1:6-12; John 8:44; Mark 4:15; Revelation 12:9; 1 Peter 5:8)
We believe the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts *(power tools) to each believer as needed to be used for building up the Body of Christ - the Church, *and to Glorify God - according to biblical guidelines and priorities.
(1 Corinthians 12:1-14; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Peter 4:10-11)
*We believe the Holy Spirit gives leadership gifts to some to equip the body of Christ to do the work of the ministry. (Eph. 4:11)
THE BIBLE
We are a Bible-Based *Group of Believers who believe the Bible consists of 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, and is the inspired and inerrant written Word of God. (Psalm 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17: 2 Peter 1:20-21)
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (see illustration above).
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Hebrews 1:8; Colossians 1:1~17; Genesis 1:26-27)
We believe man was created in the image of God, *but sinned, and therefore experienced *spiritual death (separation from God) and eventually physical death. As a result, everyone who does not accept Christ as their savior, is separated from God and eternally lost. (Genesis 2:17,3:6; Romans 5:12-19; Ephesians 2:1-3,4:18-19; Mark 7:20-23)
We believe Christ builds His Body, the Church, through His Word, His Spirit, and His people. The Word builds us up by teaching us the ways of God; by strengthening, comforting and giving us hope; by keeping us from sin; and by guiding us in righteousness. Similarly, God uses the Holy Spirit and His people to build the Body. Therefore, all believers are called to be ministers for Christ, *to be disciples of Christ, and to make Disciples for Christ. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all people for judgment. Believers will be judged, but will be found blameless because of the covering of the blood of Christ, and will enjoy eternal life with God. Unbelievers will be judged according to their deed in this life and will not inherit the kingdom of God.
(Corinthians 15:52; ,1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 20:4-6, 21:1-8; Galatians 5:19-21; John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2)
THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE
*We believe all Christians should order their lives according to biblical priorities, among them being:
• To Have a Revelation of Jesus Christ: Cultivating a personal fellowship with God. (I Thessalonians 5:17; John 15:1-2, 17:17)
• To Be Disciples of Christ: Extending Christ like love, peace, joy, unity etc towards fellow believers. And supporting a Christian community weekly with prayer, time, effort, talents and resources.
(Galatians 5:22-23; 6:10; Philippians 2:3-8 Romans 15:1-17; John 15:12-13)
• To Make Disciples for Christ: Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with nonbelievers in word, *deed, and through our lifestyle.
(John 15:26-27; Galatians 6:10; Matthew 5:16)
ROOM TO DISAGREE
*We believe Christians can agree to disagree on certain topics in the Bible. There are some doctrines on which two Christians may agree to disagree, even though they are in the same Bible Study, Local church, or Leadership team. Examples include, but are not limited to: the dating of events in Genesis, *the order of events associated with the Lord's return, and *the degree of separation from worldly practices. When teaching *on topics like these, it is made clear these beliefs are not essential for salvation or leadership.* We may state* our position, but will also acknowledge that sincere and intelligent Christians hold different views. We are committed to nurturing the unity we share as the family of God, and to obeying His command *which is to love another.
(Romans 14:1-15:7; 2 Timothy 2:23-24; Titus 3:9)
