Beliefs

We hope you find this useful to learn more about who we are!

Our Beliefs

THE BIBLE

The Bible, both Old and New testaments, are inspired by God and are the revelation of God to man. The Bible is the guide for our faith and the instructions of our conduct.

(II Timothy 3:15-17; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Peter 1:21)

THE ONE TRUE GOD - THE TRINITY

The One true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM” (what God called Himself in the Bible), the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He also reveals Himself in the relationship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

(Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22)

The DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. God come in the flesh. The Bible declares:

His virgin birth. (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31,35)

His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; I Peter 2:22)

His miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38)

His work on the cross as the substitute for our sins. (I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21)

His physical resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39)

His being raised to the right hand of God. (Acts 1:9; 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3; I Timothy 3:16)

THE FALL OF MAN

Man was created good and upright; for God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness." However, man by his own will fell into sin and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God.

(Genesis 1:26,27; 2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12-19)

THE SALVATION OF MAN

Man's only hope of redemption is through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Condition to Salvation: Salvation is received by turning from sin toward God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. By grace alone man inherits eternal life through the work of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7) The Evidence of Salvation: We have inner faith and peace as the evidence of our salvation. (Romans 8:16) The outward evidence is a life of following Christ and holy living. (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12)

THE PRACTICES OF THE CHURCH

Baptism in Water - Baptism by immersion is in the Bible. All who repent and believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus, they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (

Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47,48; Romans 6:4)

COMMUNION

The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements - bread and wine - is the symbol of our Lord Jesus Christ's body and blood (II Peter 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death (I Corinthians 11:26); and a prophecy of His second coming (I Corinthians 11:26); and we are told to participate in communion, "till He comes."

THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

All believers are entitled to and should seek the promise of the Father – the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This is a command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian church. With it comes the power for life and service, the gifts of the spirit and their use in the work of the ministry. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,8; I Corinthians 12:1-31) This experience can be distinct from the experience of the new birth. (Acts 8:12-17; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9). With the baptism in the Holy Spirit comes such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28), dedication to God's work (Acts 2:42), a more active love for Christ, for His Word and for those who do not yet know Him.

THE MINISTRY

A divinely called purpose has been provided by the Lord for the purpose of leading the Church in:

Evangelization of the world (Matthew 28:19,20)

Worship of God (John 4:23,24)

Building a body of Christians being perfected in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4:11-16)

DIVINE HEALING

Divine Healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for by the Lord and is the privilege of all believers.

(Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:16,17; James 5:14-16)

OUR HOPE AND JUDGMENT

Our hope is in Jesus who provides for us the certainty of everlasting life in heaven. (I Thessalonians 4:16,17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; I Corinthians 15:51,52)

There is also the assurance of a bodily resurrection at the end of time where we are given new incorruptible bodies. The sobering fact that goes along with this is that those who don't know Jesus will be judged and given everlasting punishment.

(Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20, 20:11-15; 21:8)

These are BELIEFS that are integral to who we are as a body of believers here at Southgate Crestwood Church. We hope you found this useful in learning more about who we are!