Our Beliefs
Community Life Church is built on a core set of beliefs that we call our Essential Beliefs. These are the beliefs in which we have unity and on which we base our fundamental decisions.
THE BIBLE
We accept the entire Bible as the written Word of God to mankind. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error. All believers are exhorted to study the Scriptures and diligently apply them to their lives. The Scriptures are the authoritative and normative rule and guide of all Christian life, practice, and doctrine.
2 Timothy 3:16
2 Peter 1:19-21
Psalm 119:105, 160
Proverbs 30:5
Hebrews 4:12
GOD IS TRIUNE
There is one God: infinite, eternal, almighty, and perfect in holiness, truth, and love. In the unity of the godhead there are three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, co-existent, co-equal, co-eternal. The Father is not the Son and the Son is not the Holy Spirit, yet each is truly Deity. One God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - is the foundation of our Christian faith and life.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27
Genesis 3:22
Psalm 90:2
Matthew 28:19
John 3:35
2 Corinthians 13:14
GOD THE FATHER
God the Father is the Creator of heaven and earth. By His Word and for His glory, He freely and supernaturally created the world from nothing. Through the same Word He daily sustains all His creatures. He is the Final Authority and is the only Sovereign. His plans and purposes cannot be thwarted. He is faithful to every promise, works all things together for good to those who love Him, and in His unfathomable grace gave His Son Jesus Christ for mankind's redemption. He made man for fellowship with Himself, and intended that all creation should live to the praise of His glory.
Isaiah 64:8
Matthew 6:8, 9
Matthew 10:32
2 Corinthians 6:18
Galatians 1:1
Romans 8:28
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 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 6:23
Romans 8:35-39
Ephesians 2:8-9, 13
John 14:6
Titus 3:4-7
Galatians 3:26
Romans 5:1
Romans 10:9-10, 13
GOD THE SON
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was the eternal Word made flesh, supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. He was perfect in nature, teaching and obedience.
He is fully God and was fully man. He was always with God and is God. Through Him all things came into being and were created. He was before all things and in Him all things hold together by the word of His power.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation and in Him dwells the fullness of the godhead bodily. He is the only Savior for the sins of the world, having shed His blood and died a vicarious death on Calvary's cross.
Matthew 1:22-23
Isaiah 9:6
Isaiah 53:5
John 1:1-5
John 14:10-30
Hebrews 4:14-15
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Romans 1:1-6
Acts 1:9-11
1 Timothy 6:13-16
Titus 2:11-14
Colossians 1:15-18
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 in Heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16, 36
John 14:1-6
Romans 6:23
Revelation 20:15
1 Corinthians 2:7-9
2 Thessalonians 1:6-9
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son. 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 and pleas with the Father on our behalf. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily. The Holy Spirit has come to glorify the Son who in turn came to glorify the Father.
Acts 1:8
2 Corinthians 3:17
John 14:16-17
John 16:7-13
Galatians 5:25
1 Corinthians 2:10-12
1 Corinthians3:16
Ephesians 1:13
Ephesians 5:18
Romans 8:26
BAPTISM
Water baptism is intended for those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Baptism is the immersion or dipping of a believer in water symbolizing the complete renewal and change in the believer’s life and testifying to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Therefore, in obedience to Christ's command and as a testimony to God, the Church, oneself and the world, a believer should be immersed in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Greek word for baptize is “baptizo” which means to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet) which is why we immerse fully in water and to follow the example set by Jesus. Also, every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.
Matthew 3:13-17
Matthew 28:19-20
Acts 2:41
Acts 8:36-39
Acts 18:8
Romans 6:4-6
Colossians 2:12
1 John 2:3-6
MANKIND
God made man - male and female - in the spiritual image of Himself, to be like Him in character. People are the crown jewel 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". Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our life. Fallen, sinful people, whatever their character or attainments, are lost and without hope apart from salvation in Christ.
Genesis 1:27
Genesis 2:7, 18,20-25
Genesis 4:1
Romans 3:23
Isaiah 43:7
Isaiah 59:1-2
COMMUNION
The Lord’s Supper is to be observed only by those who have become genuine followers of Christ. This ordinance symbolizes the breaking of Christ’s body and the shedding of His blood on our behalf, and is to be observed throughout the Christian life as a sign of continued participation in the atoning benefits of Christ’s death. As we partake of the Lord’s Supper with an attitude of faith and self-examination, we remember and proclaim the death of Christ, receive spiritual nourishment for our souls, and signify our unity with other members of Christ’s body.
1 Corinthians 11:23-27
Our Core Values
God’s Word
We believe the Bible is the Word of God, truth without error. Learn it, love it, live it.
Worship
We believe worship is a lifestyle of giving to God the glory, honor, and praise He deserves. Life is worship.
Prayer
We believe prayer is simply communicating with our loving Father. Amen.
Community
We will actively do life together. We were created for community.
Generosity
We will be generous with our time, gifts, and resources. God has blessed us so we can bless others.
Cooperation
We will seek to partner with ministries who proclaim the Gospel of Christ. We accomplish far more together than we do apart.
Quality
We will strive to honor God by giving Him our best in all we do. Quality honors God and inspires others.