| Our Beliefs |
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About God God is creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Three are co-equal and are one God. He is our Father and will provide for all our needs, bodies and souls. He is present everywhere. Genesis 1:1 , 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2 ; Matthew 28:19 ; 1 Peter 1:2 ; 2 Corinthians 13:14 About Jesus Christ Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth and reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Matthew 1:22,23: Isaiah 9:6 ; John 1:1-5 , 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15 ; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4 ; Acts 1:9-11 ; 1 Timothy 6:14-15 ; Titus 2:13 About the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God, three Persons in the triune God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives within every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, provides comfort in trials, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily and experience His fullness. 2 Corinthians 3:17 ; John 16:7-13 , 14:16-17; Acts 1:8 ; 1 Corinthians 2:12 , 3:16; Ephesians 1:13 ; Galatians 5:25 ; Ephesians 5:18 . About the Bible The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. It is for everyone to read so that all may hear God speak to their hearts and minds. 2 Timothy 3:16 ; 2 Peter 1:20-21 ; 2 Timothy 1:13 ; Psalm 119:105 , 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5 About Human Beings People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for God, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. Genesis 1:27 ; Psalm 8:3-6 ; Isaiah 53: 6a; Romans 3:23 ; Isaiah 59:1-2 . About Salvation Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from self ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. Romans 6:23 ; Ephesians 2:8-9 ; John 14:6 , 1:12; Titus 3:5 ; Galatians 3:26 ; Romans 5:1 About Eternal Security Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot lose it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God and not self effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. John 10:28-29 ; 2 Timothy 1:12 ; Jude 24 ; Hebrews 7:25 ; 10:10,14: 1 Peter 1:3-5 About Eternity People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. John 3:16 ; John 2:25 ; John 5:11-13 ; Romans 6:23 ; Revelation 20:15 ; Matthew 1:8 ; 2:44,46. In essential beliefs - we have unity. We are all parts of one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. 5 For us there is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and we all have the same God and Father who is over us all and in us all, and living through every part of us. Ephesians 4:4-6 (TLB) In non-essential beliefs - we have liberty. Give a warm welcome to any brother who wants to join you, even though his faith is weak. Don't criticize him for having different ideas from yours about what is right and wrong. Romans 14:1 (TLB) In all our beliefs - we show charity. If I had the gift of prophecy and knew all about what is going to happen in the future, knew everything about everything, but didn't love others, what good would it do? Even if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, I would still be worth nothing at all without love. 1 Corinthians 13:2 (TLB) Bible as our sole authority Since God's word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is "What does the Bible say?" We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe. 2 Timothy 3:15 Priesthood of all believers The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to "full time" Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading. Revelation 1:6 , 1 Peter 2:9 Spirit-led living We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God's power within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God's Spirit to enable us to do what is right. Philemon 2:13 , Ephesians 5:18 Accountability to other like-minded churches We are part of the Reformed Church in America comprised of 7 Regional Synods of which we belong to the Synod of the Heartland. In our Regional Synod we are broken down into Classis of which our church belongs to the Central Plains Classis. These Classis are responsible for the oversight of Pastors and Congregations to make sure all is done "decently and in order". Local church boards known as consistories send their pastors along with elder and deacon representatives to participate in Classis functions. The Classis send representatives to Regional Synods and the national General Synod in order to formulate policies for the denomination both in doctrine and policy. The Book of Church Order is the guide for church policy and government for the protection of both the congregation and its pastor. Telling others about Christ It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those God brings us into contact with. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to church. Not everyone is an evangelist but everyone is a witness! Matthew 28:19
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| Last Updated on Friday, 31 August 2007 07:17 |