A
simple Statement of our Purpose could be described in this way:
Our Purpose is:
“To Introduce All People To New Life in Christ”
Our Belief Statement
What Do
We Believe
• In essential beliefs — we have unity.
“There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
and one God and Father of us all...”
Eph. 4:4-6
• In non-essential beliefs — we have liberty.
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable
matters... Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he
stands or falls... So then each of us will give an account of himself to
God... So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and
God.” Romans
14:1,4,12,22
• In all our beliefs — we show charity.
“...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets
of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have no love,
I amount to nothing at all.”
1 Cor. 13:2 (Ph)
The Essentials We
Believe:
1. About God
God
is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three
personalities: 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 28:19;
1 Peter
1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
2. About
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 people 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 someday to receive us unto Himself.
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 2:13
3.
About the Holy Spirit
The
Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of 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. He give every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As
Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
2
Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8;
1
Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galations 5:25;
Ephesians
5:18
4. About the Bible
The
Bible is God’s Word to us. 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. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth
without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy
3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13;
Psalm
119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
5. About
Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character.
People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has
tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of
disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God
and causes many problems in life.
Genesis
1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
6. About Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. 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 anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we
turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal
life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans
6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5;
Galatians
3:26; Romans 5:1
8. About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated
from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be
eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is
eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16;
John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18;
Revelation
20:15; 1 Cor. 2:7-9
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
What Do We Do
Beliefs are not worth much unless they are translated into actions. Based on
what the Bible teaches, we believe that our mission can be described by the
following acronym
F
OLLOW GOD’S SON
L
IVE BY GOD’S WORD
O
CCUPY GOD’S TERRITORY
Y
IELD TO GOD’S SPIRIT
D
ISCIPLE GOD’S PEOPLE
FOLLOW GOD’S SON
“Then He (Jesus) said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let
him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’” Luke 9:23
Jesus is not only our only way to be saved, but He is our greatest example of
how to live the Christian life. We follow Christ as our example and Guide and
serve Him because he first loved us.
LIVE BY GOD’S WORD
“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
Since God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we
accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a
decision is “What does the Bible say?” We practice daily Bible reading, Bible
study, and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.
OCCUPY GOD’S TERRITORY
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world,
the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15
We are called by God to live in this world and yet be different. We are not
to waste our time chasing after the things of this world but rather be forces of
influence that help to prepare people for God’s Kingdom. We “Occupy God’s
Territory” when we help those around us to discover the kingdom of God, and
enter into it.
YIELD TO GOD’S SPIRIT
(Jesus said), “I am the Vine, you are the branches. If you abide in me and I
in you, you will bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing.” John
15:5
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power
within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable
us to do what is right. (Phil. 2:13, Eph. 5:18)
DISCIPLE GOD’S PEOPLE
“’Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 “teaching them to
observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even
to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:19-20
We have been commanded to make disciples of all nations or peoples. That
means that we have a responsibility to reach out to those who have not yet
experienced God’s love, and to teach and encourage those who have.