Statement of Belief

AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES

The Old and New Testaments, inerrant as originally given, were verbally inspired by God and are a complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men and women. They constitute the divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice.

(2 Peter 1:20–21; 2 Timothy 3:16)

GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. Any one of the lists of spiritual gifts covered in the passages cited below are not exhaustive by themselves. However, when brought together, they cover every possible gift. The gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters.

GIVING/STEWARDSHIP

Biblical giving is the giving of self and wealth to God and His work, and doing so voluntarily and out of love for God and His work. According to the scriptures, Christians should contribute their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionally, and liberally for the advancement of The Redeemer’s cause on earth.

(Matthew 6:3-4, 19-20 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Philippians 4:10-19)

MARRIAGE & SEXUALITY

God has ordained marriage and defines it as the covenant relationship between a man, a woman, and Himself. Through our understanding of the Bible, Community Church adheres to various Bible-centered principles including that marriage matters. Marriage between one man and one woman, uniquely reflects Christ’s relationship with His church. Among many other negative cultural developments over the last several decades, the general acceptance of sex outside of marriage and other sexual perversions, constitute direct attacks upon this timeless and universal institution. We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: The uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that any form of sexual immorality is sinful and offensive to God. God offers forgiveness to those who confess and repent of these and any other sin.

(Ephesians 5:21-23; Genesis 1:266-27; 2:18-25; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 18; 7:2-4; Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 15:18-20; 1 John 1:9-10)

ONE GOD & THE TRINITY

There is one God, who is infinitely perfect, existing eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the true God and the true man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died upon the cross, the Just for the unjust, as a substitutionary sacrifice, and all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood. He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures. He is now at the right hand of Majesty on high as our great High Priest. He will come again to establish His kingdom, righteousness and peace.

(Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 26:64; Matthew 5:48; Matthew 28:19; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 1: 34-38; 1 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 2:9; Romans 5:9-10; Acts 2: 23-24; Hebrews 8:1)

ORIGINAL SIN & SALVATION

Man was originally created in the image and likeness of God: he fell through disobedience, incurring thereby both physical and spiritual death. All men are born with a sinful nature, are separated from the life of God, and can be saved only through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The portion of the unrepentant and unbelieving is existence forever in conscious torment; and that of the believer, in everlasting joy and bliss.

Salvation has been provided through Jesus Christ for all men; and those who repent and believe in Him are born again of the Holy Spirit, receive the gift of eternal life, and become the children of God.

(Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:23; 5:14-19; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23; Revelation 21:1-4, 8; Titus 3:4–7)

PARENT/CHILD DEDICATION

The dedication of families/children is the presentation of a child to God, and therefore establishes a covenant between God and parents. God promises blessing and protection to the child whose parents are faithful to rear him/her in the services of the Lord. Such a child is made holy and is part of the covenant family of God by the faith of his parents until he/she reaches the age of accountability, whereupon he/she becomes responsible as an individual before God and is commanded to repent and turn to Him.

(Psalms 34:11; Isaiah 54:13; Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-16; 1 Corinthians 7:14)

MISSIONS

Missions are the whole task, endeavor, and program of Community Church to reach out across geographical and/or cultural boundaries by sending missionaries to evangelize people who have never heard or who have little opportunity to hear the saving gospel.

(Genesis 12:1-3; Matthew 9:37, 10:5-15, 13:18-30, Luke 10: 1-18, 24:46-53; John 14:11-12, 15:7-8, 16; Acts 1:8, 8:26-40; 10: 42-48; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 3:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:5 Hebrews 2:1-3)