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• Our Mission
• Our Beliefs
• Our Practices
• Our Values
• Church Membership
• Baptism Celebrations
• Practice of Communion
The purpose of the Church is to "develop disciples of Jesus Christ through worship, transformation, community, service, and influence in order to glorify God and to share the love of God with our world." Our mission is "to transform people into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ."
We seek to glorify God by fulfilling the Great Commandment (Mathew 22:36-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). We emphasize that right relationships with God are far more important than buildings, budgets, programs, methods, church personnel, size or anything else.
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About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally
existed in three personalities: The Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit. These three are equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27,3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew
28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the 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 a cross. He rose
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 to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; John
14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4;
Acts 1:9-11; I 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.
He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for
Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment
of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living,
understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.
He gives every a believer a spiritual gift when they are saved.
As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
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.
II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20,21; 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 good, 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; Psalms 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a,
59:1,2; Romans 3:23
About Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can
never make up for 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 our 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 5:1,6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6,1:12;
Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26
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, not by the self-effort
of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that
gives us this security.
John 10:29; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25;
Hebrews 10:10,14; I 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 for eternal existence.
John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15;
John 10:28; Matthew 7:21; 1 John 5:11-12; Matthew 25:31-46
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Beliefs are not worth much unless they are transformed into
actions. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly
about the following seven practices:
We believe that the Bible is our sole authority.
16"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so
that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
- II Timothy 3:16-17
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.
We believe in the autonomy of each local church.
18He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning..."
- Colossians 1:18
Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, group,
or religious organization. While recognizing the value of associating
and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe every
local church should be self-governing and independent from any
denominational control.
We believe in the priesthood of the believer.
5"...To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by
His blood-- 6and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His
God and Father..."
- Revelation 1:5-6
9But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION...so
that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you
out of darkness into His marvelous light..."
- I Peter 2:9
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.
We believe in tithing.
At Hope, we encourage tithing for the support of Christ's Body,
the church. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is a Biblical
standard of giving.
We believe in baptism by immersion.
12...having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were
also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who
raised Him from the dead.
- Colossians 2:12
We practice baptism by immersion under water -- the way Jesus
baptized.
We believe in the Lord's Supper.
26…For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you
proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
- I Corinthians 11:26
The Lord's supper is observed as a celebration of Christ's death
for the believer and is practiced regularly.
We believe in Spirit-led living.
"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me
and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do
nothing."
- John 15:5
We believe that we should tell others about Christ.
15"...but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always
being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give
an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and
reverence."
- I Peter 3:15
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.
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Relevance:
Creating an atmosphere where our neighbors meet God and
apply His truth.
Effectiveness:
Applying Biblical principles to accomplish our purpose
in an excellent manner.
Faith:
Trusting Jesus to increasingly accomplish His
work through us.
Grace:
Accepting people where they are on their spiritual journey.
Trust:
Surrendering to God's principles as revealed in His Word so that we can experience and glorify Him.
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