Our Beliefs

What We Believe

As a church, we believe the Bible is the authoritative word of God. Today, the scriptures remain our best tool for both understanding the teachings of Jesus Christ and discerning His will for our lives.

We believe the core teachings of the New Testament are best understood in two parts: the Gospel, or “good news” of Jesus Christ, and the apostles’ teaching, which was revealed to the first Christians in the years following His death, burial, and resurrection.

Salvation comes from an acceptance of the Gospel message and repentance from sin. The result of this salvation is a transformed life – one that is guided by the apostles’ teaching and lived out in community through the church.

The Gospel (Kerygma)

  • God created all things. There is one true God. He is the maker of heaven and earth. And in the beginning, he created our world and everything in it. He is living and active, perfect and all-knowing, and exists in three persons – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • Man rebelled against God. God created man in His own image and likeness, to live in perfect community with Him and to rule over the earth. But the first man, Adam, rejected God’s loving leadership by disobeying his commands. In doing this, sin entered the heart of man, and all of humanity since has been born into sin and destined to death.
  • God pursued His people. Throughout history, God sought to restore His relationship with man that was broken by sin. Through the line of Abraham He chose the nation of Israel to be His people. He promised them land, gave them His law, and appointed a king after His own heart. But the people continued to sin and turn away from God.
  • He promised a savior. As Israel rebelled against God, His prophets foretold of a coming Messiah – a perfect King who would rescue God’s people and rule forever. These prophets shared specific details given to them by God regarding His birth, life, and death.
  • Jesus is the answer. Jesus was sent to Israel by God to inaugurate a new Kingdom. He is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham – through Him, all nations will be blessed. He is the perfect representation and fulfillment of the law given to Moses – a sacrifice ensuring sin will no longer separate God from His people. He is the promised king from the seed of David – who will sit on the throne and rule forever.
  • He fulfilled the scriptures. Jesus is the son of God. As foretold by the prophets, he was sent to earth, born of a virgin, to live on earth as a man.
  • He lived a perfect life. Jesus lived a life unstained by the evils of sin. During His earthly ministry, He went about doing good. He performed miracles and healed the sick – demonstrating the power of God within Him.
  • He died on the cross. As foretold in Isaiah, Jesus, the suffering servant, died a shameful death on the cross. He was put to death by the Jews – the very people he was sent to save – because they denied Him as the son of God and promised king.
  • He was raised three days later. Jesus was buried and rose three days later. In doing so, he defeated sin and death. The risen Christ was seen by many eyewitnesses, including the apostles who ate and drank with him.
  • He will judge the living and the dead. Jesus ascended to heaven, where he sits at the right hand of God the father. God has appointed Him as the one righteous judge to whom all will one day give an account for their deeds.
  • All who believe are forgiven. Those who believe in the saving work of Jesus, repent of their sins, and submit to his authority will be forgiven. They are forgiven by the grace of God which is freely given and cannot be earned. And when they are forgiven, they become his children – heirs who will share in his eternal inheritance.
  • We are welcomed into His family. As followers of Christ, we are baptized into a new family – the church. The church is the fulfillment of God’s plan for this age. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, all who believe in Him are brought together as His chosen people. The church is to live on this earth as God’s redemptive family. To serve and glorify Him, sharing the good news of His gospel, and living lives that honor Him.
  • One day he will return. In the future, God will return to the earth as both judge and savior. Until He returns, the church is called to build His kingdom – on earth as it is in heaven.

The Apostles' Teaching (Didache)

After accepting the Gospel message, Christians in the first century were instructed on the practical, moral implications of what it meant to live as a disciple of Christ. In the bible, this set of teachings was called the apostles’ teaching (or “didache” in Greek).

As a church, we believe that living a life in alignment with the apostles’ teaching is central to the Christian mission. All believers are expected to grow in their maturity and understanding of this teaching. Because how we live matters. And godly living, in accordance with the scriptures, is the only appropriate response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Below is our summary of the core elements of the apostles’ teaching, as taught in the New Testament scriptures:

  • Lay aside the old self. Our old nature, characterized by sin and selfishness, must be abandoned. In its place, we must be transformed to become like Christ through the renewing of our hearts and minds. (Ephesians 4:22-24; Romans 12:1-2)

    • Traits of the old self – Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness. (Galatians 5:19-21)

  • Demonstrate the fruits of the spirit. Upon salvation, believers have access to the Holy Spirit, which empowers us to take on the character of God. As we abandon our old ways, we are called to become more like Christ – in word and deed. (Galatians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:12)

    • Traits of the new self – Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control

  • Live according to God’s household order. God has given us each a unique role to play in our individual households. Living according to these roles aligns us with His will, and demonstrates His wisdom and order to a watching world. (Ephesians 5:22-6:9; Colossians 3:18-4:1)

    • Husbands – Love your wives as Christ loved the Church
    • Wives – Respect and submit to your husband
    • Children – Obey your parents in the Lord; honor your father and mother
    • Fathers/Mothers – Raise your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord

  • Live as an ordered family of families within the church. Similar to our individual households, God has structured His church to function as a family of families – characterized by love and unity. In this family, the older care for the younger and the more mature lead those who are less established in the faith. (1 Timothy 3:14-16; Titus 1:5-2:16)

    • Younger men – Respect and learn from your elders; flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace
    • Older men – Be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance
    • Younger Women – Love your husbands and children; Learn from the wisdom, teaching and example of older women
    • Older Women – Encourage the young women to love their husbands and children; Continue in faith, love, and sanctity with self-restraint
    • Elders/Deacons – Live in a respectable way, characterized by godliness; Have a good reputation with those outside the church; Be on guard for yourself and the flock, protecting against false teaching

  • Use your spiritual gifts. God has given a unique set of spiritual gifts to each believer. For the church to function according to His design, each person must identify his or her gifting and use it to serve the church. (Romans 12:3-16; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11)

    • All are called to serve – In regards to service, there is no division between clergy and laity in the church
    • Discover your gifting – To effectively serve the church, all believers should discover how God has uniquely gifted them

  • Live above reproach in the world. Christians are called to be in the world, but not of it. As a result, worldly governments and authorities should be respected and obeyed – as long as they do not conflict with the teachings of Christ. And believers should work hard to earn a good reputation. (Romans 13:1-7; Titus 2:14; Ephesians 5:1-22; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12)

    • Understand your allegiance – Do not get caught up in the world’s philosophies and systems. God’s plan is not to redeem the world through social or political power and influence, but through His church.
    • Demonstrate your allegiance – Living as a Christian in a fallen world will not come without difficulty. We are to demonstrate love and Christian hospitality without fear of persecution.