What we believe in.
1.
The Scriptures are inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind.
2 Timothy 3:15-17 // 1 Thessalonians 2:13 // 2 Peter 1:21
2.
There is only One True God revealed in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (The Trinity)
Deuteronomy 6:4 // Isaiah 43:10-11 // Matthew 28:19 // Luke 3:22
3.
In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God’s son, Jesus was both human and divine.
Matthew 1:23 // Hebrews 7:26 // Acts 2:22 // 1 Corinthians 15:3 // Matthew 28:6 // Acts 1:9
4.
Though originally good, Man willingly fell to sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world. Genesis 1:26-27 // Genesis 2:17 // Genesis 3:6 // Romans 5:12-19
5.
Every person can have restored fellowship with God through salvation (accepting Christ’s offer of forgiveness for sin). Luke 24:47 // John 3:3 // Romans 10:13-15 // Ephesians 2:8 // Titus 2:11 // Titus 3:5-7
6.
We practice two ordinances—(1) Water baptism by immersion after repenting of one’s sins and receiving Christ’s gift of salvation, and (2) Holy Communion (the Lord’s Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ’s suffering and death for our salvation.
Matthew 28:19 // Mark 16:16 // Acts 10:47-48 // Romans 6:4
7.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a special experience following salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times.
Luke 24:49 // Acts 1:4 // Acts 1:8 // 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 // Acts 8:12-17 // Acts 10:44-46 // Acts 11:14-16 // Acts 15:7-9
8.
The initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues, as experienced on the Day of Pentecost and referenced throughout Acts and the Epistles.
Acts 2:4 // 1 Corinthians 12:4-10 // 1 Corinthians 12:28
9.
Sanctification initially occurs at salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike.
Romans 12:1,2 // 1 Thessalonians 5:23 // Hebrews 12:14 // 1 Peter 1:15-16 // Romans 6:1-13 // Romans 8:1 – 2
10.
The Church has a mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin. We believe the Church is the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God’s offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:22 -23 // Ephesians 2:22 // Hebrews 12:23
11.
A divinely called and scripturally ordained leadership ministry serves the Church. The Bible teaches that each of us under leadership must commit ourselves to reach others for Christ, to worship Him with other believers, and to build up or edify the body of believers–the Church.
Mark 16:15-20 // John 4:23-24 // Ephesians 4:11-16
12.
Divine healing of the sick is a privilege for Christians today and is provided for in Christ’s atonement (His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins).
Isaiah 53:4-5 // Matthew 8:16,17 // James 5:14-16
13.
In The Blessed Hope—When Jesus raptures His Church prior to His return to Earth (the second coming). At this future moment in time all believers who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with them, to be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 // Romans 8:23 // Titus 2:13 // 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
14.
In the millennial reign of Christ when Jesus returns with His saints at His second coming and begins His benevolent rule over earth for 1,000 years. At that time many in the nation of Israel will recognize and accept Him as the Messiah, the Savior who died for them and all mankind. Zechariah 14:5 // Matthew 24:27 // Matthew 24:30 // Revelation 1:7 // Revelation 19:11-14 // Revelation 20:1-6
15.
A final judgment will take place for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a punishing lake of fire. Matthew 25:46 // Mark 9:43-48 // Revelation 19:20 // Revelation 20:11-15 // Revelation 21:8
16.
We look forward to the perfect New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever following His millennial reign on Earth. “And so shall we forever be with the Lord!”
2 Peter 3:13 // Revelation 21 // Revelation 22
Marriage
It is the biblical position that marriage involves the union of one man and one woman in permanent sacred fidelity. Though various cultures and customs have evolving definitions of marriage, it is God alone who has ultimate authority to prescribe and describe the marital relationship (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:1-9, Mark 10:1-12).
Furthermore, sexual intimacy is only properly exercised and pursued within the confines of this marital relationship. Sexual immorality, defined as any sexual activity outside of the boundaries of the sacred marital relationship between one man and one woman, is clearly and expressly prohibited by the Lord (Matthew 15:19, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Hebrews 13:4).
As a consequence, the Church regards any and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography or even lustful intent toward such, as sinful and ultimately unsatisfying. Moreover, the Church also regards as sinful the intent or desire to surgically alter one’s biological sex to a different sex. Since the body is a creation of God, the Church holds sexual identity to be biologically determined, and associated gender norms are to be observed as appropriate to biblical standards. Disagreement with one’s biological sex only leads to spiritual confusion and emotional chaos (Genesis 1:27, Romans 1:26-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
In order to preserve the function and integrity of the Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical example to the Church Members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the Church in any capacity or united to the Church in membership should abide by and agree to this “Statement on Marriage and Sexuality“ and conduct themselves accordingly.
Though sinful sexual expression is egregious (as is all sin), the gospel provides redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 2:1-10, Titus 3:3-7).
Furthermore, there is a difference between temptation and unrepented sin. Jesus was tempted in all ways as we are, yet He never sinned. Members, employees, volunteers and attendees of the Church wrestling with all manner of sexual temptation will find a Church ready to point them to Jesus and join with them to fight for their obedience to Christ. Jesus called the weary and heavy-laden to Himself. As a church desiring to follow Christ fully, the Church will be a safe place for men and women fighting sexual temptations of all kinds. For those fighting temptation and repenting of sin, the Church will provide love, care and direction (Matthew 11:28-30, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 2:17-18, Hebrews 4:14-16).
The Church’s Statement on Marriage and Sexuality does not provide grounds for bigotry, bullying or hate, as we fully believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect and dignity, regardless of his or her lifestyle. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated as sinful and are not in accordance with the Scriptures nor the doctrines of the Church.
The Church’s Statement on Marriage and Sexuality is based upon God’s will for human life as conveyed to us through the Scriptures, upon which this Church has been founded and anchored, and this shall not be subject to change through popular vote; referendum; prevailing opinion of Members or the general public; influence of or interpretation by any government authority, agency, or official action; or legal developments on the local, state, or federal level.*
*Addendum to Doctrinal Statement, adapted from The Village Church