The Word of God

We believe the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original writing, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21; Mk 13:31; Jn 8:31-32; 20:31; Acts 20:32) 2.

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Trinity

There is only one true God, and God exists in three persons. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are equally deserving of worship and honor. The three persons of the Trinity have distinct, but complementary, roles in the fulfillment of God’s flawless plan. (Gen 1:1,26; Deut. 6:4; Matt 28:19; Jn 1:1,3; 4:24; Rom 1:19-20; Eph 4:5-6) 3.

• The Father - The Father is the first person of the Trinity. He is infinite (having no beginning or end), yet He wants to interact with every person on a personal level. The Father is perfect in every quality and virtue. He has the power and integrity to keep all of His promises. (Matt 23:9; Lk 10:21-22; Jn 3:16;6:27; Rom 1:7; 1 Tim 1:1-2; 2:5-6; 1 Pet 1:3; Rev 1:6) 4.

• The Son - Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity. He is the unique Son of God who always existed with the Father. Jesus entered human history; God became man, and was born to Mary while she was still a virgin. Jesus was born and lived free from sin. He performed miracles and taught with authority, giving evidence of His position in the Trinity. Jesus was murdered by being nailed to a cross. He died willingly and His blood provides the perfect and only sacrifice for sin. Jesus was buried in a tomb. Three days after His death He came back to life, demonstrating the greatest evidence that His sacrifice for sin was accepted by the Father. Jesus returned to heaven and intercedes for the Church in the presence of the Father. (Matt 1:18-25; 20:28; Lk 1:26-38; Jn 1:1; 20:28,30-31; Acts 1:11; Rom 5:6-8; 6:9-10; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 1:4-5; 1 Pet 2:21-24; Heb 7:25; 9:28) 5.

• The Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is the One who shows every person how they violate God’s standard of perfection. He reveals what is good and right and that there will some day be a judgment. He lives in each person who experiences spiritual birth. He gives spiritual life and special abilities for service. He is consistent in His help, teaching God’s people and bringing life-change from the inside out. (Jn 3:6-8; 14:14-26; 15:26-27; 16:7-14; Rom 8:8, 13-14, 26; 12:4-8; 1 Cor 3:16; 6:11,19; 12:1-31; Gal 4:29; 5:18; Eph 3:16; 4:1-13; 2 Thess 2:13; 2 Tim 1:7; Tit 3:5; Rom 15:16)

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Spiritual Birth

Every person has broken God’s standard of perfection. Every person has sinned in two ways: First, each person has willingly chosen to do things that defy God’s holy standard. Second, each person has inherited an inner nature from our forefathers that has been in violation of God’s standard since the first person, Adam. Sin requires death, which is why Jesus died on the cross. Jesus gave His own blood to provide the only way of forgiveness. It is the role of the Holy Spirit to reveal that the blood of Jesus Christ is the only satisfactory price for sin. The Spirit also gives power to turn from sin and trust Jesus Christ for new life, which brings a person forever into God’s family. We believe those who turn from sin and trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are given new and eternal life. (Gen 1:26; 2:17; 3:19; 5:2; Psa 51:7; Prov 28:13; Ecc 2:11; Jer 17:9; Jn 1:12-13; 3:14; 5:24,30; 8:12; 10:26-28; Rom 3:19-20; 5:19; 8:1-17; 9:14-24; 2 Cor 5:17; 2 Thess 1:9; 2:13; Tit 3:5-7; 1 Jn 1:9; Jam 1:14; Rev 20:10, 14-15; 21:1-8) 7.

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The Church

The Church is people and includes everyone who has experienced spiritual birth through faith in Jesus Christ. Those who are followers of Jesus Christ also come together in order to worship, serve and grow together. We grow in relationship to God through the study and application of His Word, which also leads us to love one another. Jesus is head of the Church. The Church is to do the things Jesus gave us to do and help others learn about the Good News of forgiveness and life in Jesus Christ. (Acts 1:8; 2:41-42; Eph 2:19-22; 5:19-21; Col 1:18; Heb 10:23-25) Faith Community Church — Doctrinal Statement 8.

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How Christians Should Live

Christians have the privilege of living free of the control of sin that trapped us before the Holy Spirit gave us new life. We now make progress in living in a way that makes God happy, maintains our freedom and lets others know God does change lives! It is for our best that we learn to live what the Bible teaches. As we grow, we will see God changing our character to be more like the character of Jesus. People around us will see that God really is good. (Jn 14:15, 23-24; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Cor 10:31; 2 Cor 9:6-13; Eph 4:13; Col 1:9-10, 28; Heb 12:1-2; 1 Jn 2:3-6) 9.

 

Baptism

This practice declares what God has already done in us. Baptism parallels Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. The believer is “buried” or submerged in water, symbolizing death to the old way of life, and then brought up out of he water demonstrating resurrection and new life in Christ. (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-42; 8:36-39; Rom 6:1-11)

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Communion / The Lord’s Supper

This is meant to help us remember that Jesus died for our forgiveness. The family of God shares bread, which is symbolic of Jesus’ body; and wine (or juice), which is symbolic of Jesus’ blood. The Bible tells us to continue this memorial until He returns. (Matt 26:26-29; Mk 14:22-25; Lk 22:17-20; 1 Cor 10:16-17; 11:23-26) 10.

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We Have Been Given Freedom and Made Accountable

When any person comes to faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in that person and will teach him/her according to the Bible. Each person can speak and relate directly to God and is accountable to God. The local church also has freedom and accountability before God and should not be controlled by any authority other than Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:29; 20:28-32; Rom 14:7-9; 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19- 20; Eph 2:22; 2 Cor 3:7-18; Col 1:18; 1 Tim 2:5) 11.

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Restoring All Things

Some day Jesus Christ will make a glorious visible return to earth and His kingdom will be brought to fulfillment without end. Every person who has ever lived will be brought before God for a final judgment. Those who have not come to faith in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, will suffer eternal conscious punishment in hell, where there is nothing but evil and endless suffering. Those who have experienced spiritual birth (see #6) will live in the blessed presence of God forever, where all things are made new. (Matt 16:27; Mk 14:62; Jn 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Cor 4:5; 15:20-24,35-58; Phil 3:20; 1 Thess 4:14-18; 2 Thess 1:6-10; 2 Tim 4:1; Tit 2:13; Rev 20:4-15)