What We Believe

The Bible

We believe that the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are the “God-breathed” and inspired Word of God.  They are without error or fault, and are true in all that they affirm in the original writings.  Scripture is to be read and understood naturally, recognizing the use of both literal and figurative language in a broad range of genres.  The Scriptures are how God reveals who He is and what He does in the world.  As such, they are the final authority on all matters of faith, life, and practice.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17John 17:17Matthew 5:17-18Psalm 12:6Psalm 119:89130, and 160Isaiah 40:8Isaiah 55:7-11Luke 24:27 and 44-47John 16:12-131 Corinthians 2:9-10)

The Godhead

We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  These persons are coequal and immutable in all attributes of character and deity.  Each is of the same essence, yet distinct in work, together offering reconciled relationship to all mankind.  (Exodus 34:6-7Deuteronomy 6:4Ephesians 1:3-14Exodus 3:1-10Genesis 1:1-2Jude 5Genesis 1:26John 4:24John 14:62 Corinthians 13:14Matthew 28:17-20)

God the Father

We believe in God the Father, the author and guarantor of salvation.  His love is expressed in perfect relationship with the Son and the Holy Spirit.  This love He has extended to mankind in the offer of salvation (relationship) provided through His Son and sealed by the Holy Spirit.  (1 Corinthians 8:6Ephesians 1:3-5Ephesians 3:14-19Ephesians 4:6John 17:24Psalm 103:13Isaiah 43:25Colossians 1:12-14)

God the Son

We believe in God the Son, Jesus Christ, who alone is the object of saving faith.  He is fully God and fully man together.  He serves as the perfect propitiation, redeemer, and intercessor for mankind.  He is the promised blessing and King of God’s covenants.  He is the fulfillment of prophecy and of all righteous requirements for relationship with God.  He is the agent of creation and salvation, possessing all authority in heaven and on earth.  (John 1:1-2Colossians 2:9Isaiah 7:14Isaiah 9:6Luke 1:34-35Philippians 2:5-11Psalm 2:71 Corinthians 8:6Colossians 1:12-17Genesis 12:1-31 Timothy 2:3-61 John 2:1-22 Samuel 7:16Zechariah 9:9Matthew 21:5Psalm 110:1Hebrews 1:1-3Revelation 19:6Matthew 28:18)

God the Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who convicts the world of sin, and at the moment of faith baptizes (places) all believers into identity with Christ as His church, permanently indwells them, seals them until the day of redemption, and fills them providing spiritual gifts for the edification of the body of Christ (His church). He continuously leads in the understanding and application of Scripture as individuals pursue it.  (John 16:7-11Job 33:4Isaiah 40:13-14Psalm 139:71 Cor 12:12-13John 14:16-17Ephesians 1:13-14Titus 3:51 Corinthians 12:4-7Romans 12:4-81 Corinthians 14:12Ephesians 4:11-121 Peter 1:20-211 John 2:20-27Romans 8:26-27Isaiah 11:1-5Galatians 5:16-18Ephesians 4:301 Thessalonians 5:19)

Who is Man?

We believe that mankind was created in the image of God for relationship with Him.  Upon Adam’s sin, all mankind inherited a sinful nature and thereby all people sin which creates a barrier to relationship with God.  This relationship cannot be restored by works, as no amount of good deeds can produce a perfect resolution, a perfect relationship with God.  (Genesis 1:26-27Genesis 2:18; Genesis 3; Romans 5:12-14Psalm 14:3Psalm 53:3Psalm 36:1Romans 3:23Ephesians 2:1-3Ephesians 2:8-9Galatians 2:16)

Salvation

We believe that faith alone in Jesus Christ restores relationship with God.  Our sin has separated us from the holy, righteous, and loving God.  We believe that Jesus, God incarnate, paid the penalty of sin by His sacrificial death on the cross, was buried, and rose again by the power of God.  We believe that salvation is a free gift by the grace of God offered to all mankind and received through faith alone in Jesus Christ.  This was accomplished through Jesus’ completed work on the cross providing forgiveness of sins.  There are no additional conditions to gain or maintain one’s salvation.  Once saved, there is nothing nor anyone, including oneself, that can separate one from God’s promise of eternal life for those who have believed in Jesus.  (Genesis 3:15Genesis 12:1-3Genesis 15:6Isaiah 55:8-11Matthew 1:21John 3:16-18John 5:24John 6:47Romans 3:23-28Romans 6:23Romans 8:38-39Galatians 3:22Ephesians 2:8-92 Timothy 2:11-131 John 5:9-13Rev. 21:6)

The Believer’s Security and Assurance

We believe that all the saved, those in relationship with God through faith in Jesus, are forever kept by God’s power and are thus eternally secure in Christ.  It is the believers’ privilege to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation.  Though supported by works, this assurance is ultimately based in the truth and promises of God’s word.   This assurance should not be used as an excuse for sin.  (John 6:37-40John 10:27-30Genesis 15:6Romans 4:1-5Romans 8:31-39John 5:24John 6:47)

The Believer’s Responsibility

We believe God’s desire for the believer is to be conformed to His image.  Though believers are not responsible for maintaining their salvation, they are responsible for pursuing God’s purpose for His people.  This is accomplished by reflecting His character and love for the world, and by discipling the nations.  (Romans 12:1-2Genesis 1:26-27Philippians 2:5Deuteronomy 5:11Exodus 20:7Titus 2:11-14Matthew 28:18-20Matthew 5:16Leviticus 19:2)

The Second Coming of Christ

We believe that Jesus will fulfill His promise to return.  This is seen first in the rapture of the church (pre-tribulation) and then accomplished in a millennial reign on the earth from the throne of David.  At the end of the millennial kingdom, Christ will make all things new and believers will dwell in perfect, everlasting relationship with God.  (John 14:1-41 Thessalonians 4:13-18Daniel 12:1-32 Peter 3:9-10Zechariah 14:9Isaiah 65:16-25Genesis 1:28Revelation 19:11-16Revelation 21:1-6Revelation 22:3-7)

Dispensationalism

We believe that God has progressively revealed Himself through time.  The requirement for salvation has always been faith alone in the promised Redeemer which is realized in Jesus Christ.  Thus, these dispensations are not new ways of salvation, but specified administrations of how man is to bear God’s image in response to His revelation.  (Ephesians 1:7-10Genesis 12:1-3Genesis 26:1-5Exodus 19:20-22Daniel 2:17-19Romans 16:25-27Genesis 3:15Genesis 4:26Genesis 5:29Genesis 15:6Romans 4:1-5John 3:14-18John 5:24John 6:47Galatians 3:22Ephesians 3:8-10)

The Church

We believe that the church is the body of Christ, made up of every person who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ in this age.  Though global in scope, the Scriptures also recognize the local gatherings of believers for the purpose of discipleship by instruction, worship, prayer, and participation with one another.  The church is God’s instrument to share His love, the offer of restored relationship with Him, to the world.  (Ephesians 1:22-23Matthew 16:15-18Acts 10:44-47Acts 11:15-18Acts 16:4-5Acts 2:41-42Galatians 6:2Colossians 1:18Hebrews 10:24-25Matthew 28:18-20)

Marriage

We believe that all matters of faith and life must be evaluated through Scripture.  Scripture intends marriage to be the permanent and exclusive union of one man and one woman.  Scripture declares that God created male and female as distinct and complementary partners who will reflect His image.  When man and woman are married, they affirm a covenant between themselves and the Lord, to be celebrated and remembered.  Consistent with our belief regarding marriage, marriage celebrations at Christ Fellowship will only be between one man and one woman as God originally created them.  (Genesis 1:26-28Genesis 2:18-24Matthew 5:27-32Matthew 19:4-91 Corinthians 6:9Romans 1:24-32Ephesians 5:22-33Colossians 3:14-19)

Sanctity of Human Life

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Furthermore, Jesus has provided the world with the offer of salvation.  As such, all human life has value and is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life.  (Genesis 1:26-27Genesis 9:6; Psalm 139; Jeremiah 1:5)

The Lord’s Table

We believe the Lord’s Table (communion) is to be celebrated in remembrance of Christ’s death with anticipation for the fulfillment of His promises for the future.  The elements serve as the reminder of Jesus’ body and blood sacrificed for us.  In this we remember what Jesus has done; we honor Him in life today; and hope in Him for the promises yet fulfilled.  It is to be open to all self-examined believers regardless of church affiliation.  (Jeremiah 31:31-34Ezekiel 36:22-28Luke 22:15-20Matthew 26:26-30Acts 2:41-421 Corinthians 11:23-29Hebrews 7:18-28Hebrews 8:6-13Hebrews 13:20-21Revelation 19:6-9)

Water Baptism

We believe that water baptism is a public identification with Jesus.  It is an outward expression of the inward reality for the individual who has expressed faith in Christ.  As such baptism does not save but is a public display of the salvation that has occurred at the moment one believes in Him.  Christ Fellowship accepts any form of believer’s baptism but normally practices it by immersion, portraying the believer’s burial and resurrection with Jesus.  (Romans 6:1-7Mark 1:9Exodus 29:4Leviticus 8:6Colossians 2:12-13Luke 23:39-43John 5:24John 6:47Ephesians 2:8-10Acts 8:12Acts 8:35-39Acts 10:47-48Acts 16:29-34)

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Our Mission, Vision, & Values

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Our Leadership Teams

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