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 3:16-17; John 17:17; Matthew 5:17-18; Psalm 12:6; Psalm 119:89, 130, and 160; Isaiah 40:8; Isaiah 55:7-11; Luke 24:27 and 44-47; John 16:12-13; 1 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 34:6-7; Deuteronomy 6:4; Ephesians 1:3-14; Exodus 3:1-10; Genesis 1:1-2; Jude 5; Genesis 1:26; John 4:24; John 14:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 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 8:6; Ephesians 1:3-5; Ephesians 3:14-19; Ephesians 4:6; John 17:24; Psalm 103:13; Isaiah 43:25; Colossians 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 1:1-2; Colossians 2:9; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:34-35; Philippians 2:5-11; Psalm 2:7; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:12-17; Genesis 12:1-3; 1 Timothy 2:3-6; 1 John 2:1-2; 2 Samuel 7:16; Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5; Psalm 110:1; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 19:6; Matthew 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 16:7-11; Job 33:4; Isaiah 40:13-14; Psalm 139:7; 1 Cor 12:12-13; John 14:16-17; Ephesians 1:13-14; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 14:12; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 1:20-21; 1 John 2:20-27; Romans 8:26-27; Isaiah 11:1-5; Galatians 5:16-18; Ephesians 4:30; 1 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 1:26-27; Genesis 2:18; Genesis 3; Romans 5:12-14; Psalm 14:3; Psalm 53:3; Psalm 36:1; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 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 3:15; Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 15:6; Isaiah 55:8-11; Matthew 1:21; John 3:16-18; John 5:24; John 6:47; Romans 3:23-28; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:38-39; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 2:11-13; 1 John 5:9-13; Rev. 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 6:37-40; John 10:27-30; Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:1-5; Romans 8:31-39; John 5:24; John 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 12:1-2; Genesis 1:26-27; Philippians 2:5; Deuteronomy 5:11; Exodus 20:7; Titus 2:11-14; Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 5:16; Leviticus 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 14:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Daniel 12:1-3; 2 Peter 3:9-10; Zechariah 14:9; Isaiah 65:16-25; Genesis 1:28; Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 21:1-6; Revelation 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 1:7-10; Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 26:1-5; Exodus 19:20-22; Daniel 2:17-19; Romans 16:25-27; Genesis 3:15; Genesis 4:26; Genesis 5:29; Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:1-5; John 3:14-18; John 5:24; John 6:47; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 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 1:22-23; Matthew 16:15-18; Acts 10:44-47; Acts 11:15-18; Acts 16:4-5; Acts 2:41-42; Galatians 6:2; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 10:24-25; Matthew 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 1:26-28; Genesis 2:18-24; Matthew 5:27-32; Matthew 19:4-9; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Romans 1:24-32; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 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 1:26-27; Genesis 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 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:22-28; Luke 22:15-20; Matthew 26:26-30; Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Hebrews 7:18-28; Hebrews 8:6-13; Hebrews 13:20-21; Revelation 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 6:1-7; Mark 1:9; Exodus 29:4; Leviticus 8:6; Colossians 2:12-13; Luke 23:39-43; John 5:24; John 6:47; Ephesians 2:8-10; Acts 8:12; Acts 8:35-39; Acts 10:47-48; Acts 16:29-34)