What a person believes causes them to have eternal life or not, and what a believer believes about God and himself will determine their conduct and how they experience life and faith. The most important this that a person must believe is in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for their eternal salvation (John 3:16-17; Romans 10:9-10). This is the foundation but we must build upon it.
Acts 2:41-42 KJVS
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. [42] And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy who was a pastor and elder, and stressed the importance of sound doctrine, or a correct mode of interpreting the Hebrew Scriptures (1 Timothy 1:3-5). The writer of Hebrews stresses the importance of being established so that we don’t succumb to false teaching (Hebrews 13:8-9).
On this page you will find a statement about our core beliefs and values as a church. You will also find links to videos covering some essential topics regarding “what we believe.” As you go through this information, please feel free to contact your campus pastor, or our central office with any questions you may have.
Our Values / Culture Statements
Our values or culture statements are the things which define us as a ministry. While this is not an exhaustive list, these are the main points which drive our ministry: what we teach and how we minister.
WE VALUE THE BIBLE
The Bible, comprised of Old Testament Scriptures, the Gospels, Acts and Letters of the New Testament, is inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is profitable for correction, instruction in life and godliness, and its purpose is to reveal Jesus and the Mystery of Christ (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Luke 24:44; Colossians 1:27)
WE VALUE HOLY SPIRIT
Believers are the dwelling place of God (1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 1:13). Through surrendering to God the Holy Spirit, we are empowered (Acts 1:8; Acts 19:1-7) and enabled us to be effective witnesses of Jesus with supernatural ability to operate in the power and gifts of God.
WE VALUE THE GOSPEL
The Bible contains the message of the Gospel, which is the good news of God’s salvation plan – what Jesus has done for us and freely offers us. (Romans 1:16-17; Acts 13:37-39; Acts 20:24)
WE VALUE RELATIONSHIPS
Relationship with God and with each other (the church). (John 3:16; 17:3; Acts 2:42)
WE VALUE THE SUPERNATURAL – GOD’S NATURAL
We can experience God’s supernatural power through faith and the Holy Spirit. While we live by faith and not by experiences, our faith leads us into experiences with God in the form of healings, miracles, encounters with the manifested presence of God, the flow of the gifts and demonstration of the power of God. (Acts 4:31; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 10:9 & 19; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
WE VALUE DISCIPLESHIP
Jesus told us to go into all the world and make disciples, not converts (Matthew 28:18-20). We are committed to helping believers be established in relationship with God and in the truth of the Word which will empower them for a contagious life of victory and fruitfulness.
We are all called to be disciples and make disciples – this is the work of the ministry which leadership is called to equip every believer for (Ephesians 4:11-12).
WE VALUE GENEROUSITY
Generosity flows from a heart of love. For God so loved the world that He very generously gave His best for us (John3:16). Jesus demonstrated ultimate generosity through laying down His life for us (John 15:13). The early church demonstrated generosity towards each other (Acts 2:45; 4:34-35) and the mission (2 Corinthians 8:1-15; Philippians 4:15) even though they were not financially prospering at times. We can be generous with our whole lives; time, talents, and treasures (finances and possesions).
WE VALUE THAT EVERY BELIEVER IS A MINISTER
Every believer is called to live a life of mission to reach the unsaved, unchurched, and unreached as ministers of reconciliation and an ambassador of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18 & 20), called to be a witness (Acts 1:8) and show God’s love and goodness in everyday life. Pastors and church leaders are not more special than church members – we are all equal even though we may have different functions (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). The role of leadership is to equip the believers for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12).
What we believe.
This is not an exhaustive list of everything we believe and teach. This is an overview of the essentials that we hold to and build upon. We encourage you to listen to some of our teachings or chat to a leader to discover more about what we teach.
1 – We believe the Bible is the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
2 – We believe in the one true God who is expressed in three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16–17, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Ephesians 4:4–6, Acts 10:38).
3 – We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We believe in the deity of Christ, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life as he walked among men and demonstrated the authority and power of God in works and speech. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell but on the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God and has accomplished all that is necessary for man’s salvation. ( John 17:21, Matt 1:23, Acts 7:56)
4 – We believe the good news that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, Jesus, and whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16–17). We believe that all believers are called to bring this good news—the gospel of grace—to all nations (Acts 20:24).
5 – We believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6) and that there is no salvation apart from faith in Him (Acts 4:12). We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, it is essential for the gospel to be preached, heard, and believed. When you believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9–10) it results in regeneration by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5); new birth and immersion into Christ (His Spirit and His church) (John 3:3; Romans 6:3).
6 – We believe in the Holy Spirit (John 14:16), the communion of saints (1 John 1:3-4), the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14), the resurrection of the body (1 Corinthians 15:35-58), and the life everlasting (John 3:16; 5:24).
7 – We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit Who is continuing the work He started at Pentecost (Acts 2), indwelling believers (Ephesians 1:13) and empowering them (Acts 1:8) to live a godly life (Galatians 5:22-23) and continue in all the works of Jesus (John 14:12).
8 – We believe in the resurrection and that we shall rise again at the appearing of Christ when those who have believed in Him will be resurrected to a heavenly dwelling in an incorruptible body, and those who do not believe will join Satan and his host in eternal damnation. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
9 – We believe the true Church is composed of all born-again believers in Christ, regardless of denominational affiliation. (1 Corinthians 12:27)
10 – We believe and affirm the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed.