God has revealed Himself to humankind through His Son, Jesus Christ.
In Him, we have a relationship, with God, by the redemption of our sins through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and our faith in Him. This is the Good News of the Gospel and is to be preached in all nations. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life,” and no one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6) At the Fellowship, our beliefs come from the Bible, God’s inerrant Word to us.
Listed below are the beliefs essential to us as a church. In our essential beliefs, our members must have unity. This unity allows us to fulfill our mission as the Church. These represent the most foundational beliefs of our church. All people desiring to become a member of the Fellowship or be baptized at the Fellowship must agree with these.
In what we consider as non-essential beliefs, we have liberty among our members. Within Gospel-centered, Bible-believing churches, there has been much debate over a number of subjects for over a thousand years. These subjects are not essential to being a part of the Fellowship. We believe this allows for a healthy balance within our congregation of different theological viewpoints (i.e. Calvinism vs Arminianism). The Fellowship’s unity flows from a living faith and an abiding message. This faith and message is grounded in Scripture, which is God’s Word to us. Here are our essential beliefs:
Scripture
The Scriptures are true, authoritative, and sufficient. Psalm 19:7-11; 2 Peter 1:20-21
Human authors, under the supernatural inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote the Bible. It is the supreme and absolute source of God’s truth, transcendent values, and principles for Christian living. It is our aim to preach the Gospel in line with Scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16
God
There is one true God in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-6; Isaiah 46:9-10; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Genesis 1:26; Psalm 45:6-7; Psalm 110:1; Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 28:17-20; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. Psalm 90:2
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He is co-equal with God the Father, was born of a virgin, and lived in human form among men to bring us grace and truth. He was crucified, physically rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of God until His return.
John 1:1-5; 10-18; Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-53; 1 Corinthians 15:12-34; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 1:7
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Lord, a distinct person, and is co-equal with God and Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Holy Trinity
All believers have access to the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. We know them as the Holy Trinity, which is eternal, self-existent, unchanging, all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present, holy, loving, and just. 2 Corinthian 13:14
Human Beings
All people are sinful and can expect only death as the wage of sin. Romans 3:23; 6:23
God desires that everyone escape death and be saved through faith in Jesus Christ. He is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Salvation
Salvation is by grace through faith. It is the free gift of God and has nothing to do with our works. Ephesians 2:8-9
The sole condition for receiving eternal life is believing (trusting) in the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, who died a substitutionary death on the cross for man’s sin and rose from the dead. His perfect, sinless life and death are the atonement for our sins. Our response to believing is a confession from our mouths that Jesus is Lord and a repentant heart.
John 3:16-18; John 1:29; 10:1-18; Romans 5:8, 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 3:18.
As part of our salvation experience, we immediately receive and are sealed by the Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the day Christ returns. Ephesians 1:13-14
Once someone has been saved and sealed with the Holy Spirit, God desires that they progress beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity. God wants believers to grow in spiritual knowledge and understanding while bearing fruit. Hebrews 6:1
If we have received the free gift of salvation, we are permanently and forever saved. We have eternal life and will not be condemned because we have crossed from death to life. John 5:24
Baptism
Baptism is intended for those who have professed faith in Jesus Christ and give testimony to their faith. We baptize by immersion because we believe it to be the original intent of baptism. Baptism points to our spiritual death, burial, and resurrection in Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-11
The baptism event operates in a manner to prompt us to rise up in faith and lay hold of or confirm the blessings offered to us. Col 2:9-12
Discipleship
Discipleship requires a commitment to Christ, the church of Christ, and the work of Christ. Luke 14:25-35, Hebrews 10:25; Matthew 22:37-40; 28:19-20
We are to be motivated in our discipleship by gratitude for God’s mercy and Christ’s love and not in an attempt to earn salvation. Romans 12:1; Corinthians 5:14
Resurrection
There will be a future physical resurrection from the dead. John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15
Heaven and Hell
Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. Christ will return to judge both the living and the dead. Those who have rejected salvation will be separated eternally from God, while those who have been saved will live with God for eternity. Revelation 20:11-15, 21:1-7
Church
The church, as God’s ordained institution headed by Christ, leads through the Holy Spirit and is composed of believers for evangelizing the world, worshiping God, and spiritually forming believers. God gave the church to His followers to equip, care for, encourage, strengthen, and rebuke when needed. Acts 14:21-23; 1 Cor 16:16; 1 Tim. 2:7, Titus 1:1-3
[Updated 6/1/2023]