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Beliefs


Historic Christian Faith

Creeds, Councils, & Community

As Christians, we are part of a community that has sought to live an authentic faith for 2000 years. From the start, we want you to know, we stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us.

Christianity has many beautiful vibrant expressions.

Non-Denominational, Baptist, Presyterian, Pentecostal, Methodist, etc. Churches may look very different from each other: robes & bells, flannel shirts & jeans, choirs & candles, motorcycles & guitars. While churches have differences, we enjoy walking in community with those who affirm the Historic Christian Faith.

In essential beliefs — we have unity.

In non-essential beliefs — we have liberty.

In all our beliefs — we show charity.

One Canon (of Scripture) reduced to unity by God Himself into Two Testaments, as taught in Three Creeds, as made clear by Four Councils, practiced during the first Five Centuries of the Ancient Church.

Nicene Creed

The Apostles' Creed

The Athanasian Creed


God

The Trinity

It is the testimony of the Bible and of the Christian Church that God is One being with three persons. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2; 1 Corinthians 13:14


God the Father

God the Father is the Creator and sustainer of all things, who created the universe in love to respond to Himself. He created humans in His own image for fellowship, and calls humans back to Himself through Christ after the rebellion and fall of humanity.

Matthew 26:39; John 14:9; Romans 1:7


God the Son

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all humankind by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:1


God The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under his control daily. The Holy Spirit is often symbolized by a Dove.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1

The Holy Spirit is God, the Lord and giver of life, who was active in the Old Testament, and given to the Church in fullness at Pentecost. He empowers God's People for service and witness, cleanses humanity from the old nature, and conforms us to the image of Christ. The gifts of the Spirit always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of biblical order.

1 Corinthians 14


Eternity

Humans were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is eternal torment and hell beyond imagination. To be eternally in union with him is eternal life and joy beyond imagination.

John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; 1 John 5:11-12; Matthew 25:31-46


Salvation

Salvation is a gift from God to humans. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works – only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can we be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment we receive Jesus Christ into our life by faith. Salvation is seen & proven as Jesus makes us less like our old selves and more like Him. What does this look like? Over time it produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

The Word of God declares clearly that salvation is a free gift of God, based on the merits of the death of His Son, and is received by our faith. Salvation is by personal repentance, belief in the Lord Jesus, and personal acceptance of Him into one's life as Lord and Savior. The new life in Christ includes the privileges of inheritance in the Kingdom of God. Salvation will produce an active lifestyle of loving obedience and service to Jesus Christ our Savior.

Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:8; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31


The Christian Life

The Christian life is filled with trials, tests, and warfare against a spiritual enemy. The shortcomings of the individual and of the Church are because of the process of being made holy. For those abiding in Christ until their death or His return, the promises of eternal blessing in the presence of God are assured. To remain faithful through all circumstances of life, it requires dependence upon the Holy Spirit and a willingness to die to personal desires and passions.

I Thessalonians 5:23; II Corinthians 3:18; II Corinthians 6:14-18; Romans 8:29; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 2:11


The Church

Church exists as local believers gather together, have fellowship and live in holiness. The universal church consists of all communities of believers that accept the correct teachings of the Bible.

Ephesians 2:19-22; John 17:20-23


Leadership

An Ancient Model for Modern Times

God gives us models of what leaders are like!

We are a Pastor-Led church, with a team of appointed Elders.


The Bible

The Bible is God’s true word to all men. It tells us who God is and who we are. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. It tells the ongoing story of God's Plan for all things.

The Bible contains 66 books with different literary genres, and some books interweave multiple genres: Poetry, Wisdom, History, Narrative, Legal, Myths & Legends, Gospel, Apocalyptic. Each genre has it's own rules of reading & interpretation. God's Word is epic in scope, majestic in form, and He entrusts it to us. Wow!

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5


Baptism

A Sacrament

Baptism re-enacts the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and is your public declaration that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Baptism does not save you, but shows the world that you have already been saved. It is a biblical command and demonstrates your love and obedience to Christ. With the Historic Church, we believe it is more than symbolic, and through it Jesus conveys spiritual blessing. As circumcision was the entrance to God's Covenant Community in the Old Covenant, Baptism replaces it and becomes the first rite of the New Covenant.

Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41; Ephesians 2: 8-9; Matthew 28:19-20


Communion

A Sacrament

Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is a sacrament given to all believers by Jesus Christ to remember his sacrifice for us and to symbolize the new covenant. The elements of bread and wine or juice present us Christ’s broken body and shed blood. It is a testament of a believer’s faith in the atoning work of the cross. Jesus gives us spiritual strength & blessing through Communion. We do not believe it is the physical body of Jesus, but with the Historic Church, we believe it is much more than symbolic.

Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19,20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29


Creation

Earth & The Universe

"In the beginning...GOD!" Genesis opens with words that spark the imagination! God didn't arrive on the scene, we did, He has always existed.

Several things you need to know about Genesis:

  • It's a combination of genres: poetry, narrative, epic story, history.
  • It begins as a Cosmogony: A story of origins.
  • It is a literary work written in Ancient Near Eastern form and must be read/interpreted as such. (ALL the writers of the Bible were from the Ancient East.)
  • The Bible's first 5 books are attributed to Moses. Genesis is the first book of the Bible. Moses was raised in Egyptian royal courts which mean he was formally educated in Literature, Religion, Law Codes, Commerce, etc. Why does this matter?
  • Moses would have heard many stories attributing the creation of the world to Egyptian and other pagan gods/goddesses. THE ONE TRUE GOD, chose Moses to set the record straight!
  • Genesis is concerned THAT God created all things, now necessarily HOW He created things.
  • Our Pastor Emeritus, Dr. Michael Sharp, has written extensively and spoken abroad on Genesis and Origins. For more information, click the following link:

    Genesis: A Cosmogony


    Eschatology

    In the End is our Beginning

    We affirm the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of believers, and the final judgment. The final judgment will determine the eternal status of both the believers and the unbelievers, determined by their relationship and faith in Jesus Christ.

    When Jesus Christ returns to earth, he will remove the taint of sin & death from it forever and recreate it in the same way his own body was after his resurrection. Heaven and Earth will be joined in a perfect harmony and the Bible calls this a New Creation in which God and His people will live forever.

    Matthew 24:30, Acts 1:9-11; I Thessalonians 4:15-17; Revelation 1:7


    False Doctrines & Heresy

    A Poison Apple

    We want to be known as people who stand FOR strong and true Biblical Doctrines. The old adage "you've gotta stand for something or you'll fall for anything" has proven true throughout history. Beginning in the 1st Century, God's Church has taken stands against Unbiblical Doctrines that do people so much harm.

    By "Unbiblical" or "False" we mean:

  • It actually contradicts, opposes, or twists the Bible.
  • It cannot be proven from the Bible.
  • It is at odds with Classic Christian Belief that has vibrantly thrived for 2000 years.
  • Just as True Biblical Doctrines are robust, healthy, and life-giving, False Doctrines are poisonous and deadly.

    If you knew someone was about to drink poison, or eat rotten food, wouldn't you tell them? That's what this section is about. It's about helping each other stay spiritually healthy and vibrant!

    The following religious movements have dangerously unbiblical teachings and doctrines that have been COMPLETELY REJECTED by all legitimately trained Biblical Scholars.

  • The Word of Faith Movement
  • The Prosperity Gospel Movement
  • The Latter Rain Movement
  • The Apostles & Prophets Movement
  • It is most often the case within movements that propagate Unbiblical Doctrines that when you see someone with the title of "Dr." or "Professor," they have attended a school known as a "diploma mill" which does not have legitimate accreditation and is not a true academic institution.


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