OUR BELIEFS
At Fellowship Hi-Crest we believe church is a group of people whose lives center around gospel and community. Gospel is always our content and community is always our context. As we strengthen our core relationship with Christ it radiates into our relationships with our families, our community groups, the body at large, and then spills out into the community around us.
THE BIBLE
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally inspired word of God, the ļ¬nal authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God-breathed. We believe the Bible is living and active and to be learned and lived. (II TIM 3:16, 17; II PETER 1:20,21; MATT 5:18;
JOHN 16:12,13; JOHN 17:17, HEBREWS 4:12, 2 TIMOTHY 2:15)
GOD
We believe in one God eternally existing in three equal persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each has the same nature and attributes, but is distinct in ofļ¬ce and activity.
(MATTHEW 28:19)
THE FATHER
The ļ¬rst Person of the Trinity orders and directs all things according to His own purpose, pleasure and grace. He has decreed all things that come to pass for His own glory. He graciously involves Himself in the affairs of men, hears and answers prayer, and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (MATTHEW 6:9, JOHN 5:19-24, EPHESIANS 1:3-6)
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally inspired word of God, the ļ¬nal authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God-breathed. We believe the Bible is living and active and to be learned and lived. (II TIM 3:16, 17; II PETER 1:20,21; MATT 5:18;
JOHN 16:12,13; JOHN 17:17, HEBREWS 4:12, 2 TIMOTHY 2:15)
GOD
We believe in one God eternally existing in three equal persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each has the same nature and attributes, but is distinct in ofļ¬ce and activity.
(MATTHEW 28:19)
THE FATHER
The ļ¬rst Person of the Trinity orders and directs all things according to His own purpose, pleasure and grace. He has decreed all things that come to pass for His own glory. He graciously involves Himself in the affairs of men, hears and answers prayer, and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (MATTHEW 6:9, JOHN 5:19-24, EPHESIANS 1:3-6)
THE SON
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (John 1:1,2,14; Luke 1:35). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justiļ¬cation is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Rom 3:24; I Peter 2:24; Eph. 1:7; I Peter 1:3-5). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulļ¬lls the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. (ACTS 1:9, 10; HEB 7:25, HEB 9:24; ROM 8:34; I JOHN 2:1-2)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (John 1:1,2,14; Luke 1:35). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justiļ¬cation is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Rom 3:24; I Peter 2:24; Eph. 1:7; I Peter 1:3-5). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulļ¬lls the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. (ACTS 1:9, 10; HEB 7:25, HEB 9:24; ROM 8:34; I JOHN 2:1-2)
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe the Holy Spirit executes the will of God in the world of men. He is the Supernatural agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. It is the Holy Spirit who empowers the church to live a lifestyle pleasing to God, endowing it with special gifts, which equip believers to accomplish distinct ministries, planned beforehand by God the Father. (JOHN 16:8-11; II CORINTHIANS 3:6; ROM 8:9; EPH 5:18; I CORINTHIANS 12; EPHESIANS 2:10; JOHN 3:1-8; EPHESIANS 1:13-14; JOHN 15:16; GALATIANS 5:16-25)
We believe the Holy Spirit executes the will of God in the world of men. He is the Supernatural agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. It is the Holy Spirit who empowers the church to live a lifestyle pleasing to God, endowing it with special gifts, which equip believers to accomplish distinct ministries, planned beforehand by God the Father. (JOHN 16:8-11; II CORINTHIANS 3:6; ROM 8:9; EPH 5:18; I CORINTHIANS 12; EPHESIANS 2:10; JOHN 3:1-8; EPHESIANS 1:13-14; JOHN 15:16; GALATIANS 5:16-25)
THE NATURE OF MAN
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that through Adamās sin all men fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Man is totally depraved, and of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition.
(GEN 1:26,27; GENESIS 3; ROMANS 3:22, 23, 5:12; EPH 2:1-3, 12)
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that through Adamās sin all men fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Man is totally depraved, and of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition.
(GEN 1:26,27; GENESIS 3; ROMANS 3:22, 23, 5:12; EPH 2:1-3, 12)
SALVATION
We believe salvation is a gift of God and is received by man through personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacriļ¬ce for sin. We believe man is justiļ¬ed by grace through faith apart from works (Acts 13:38-39; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 1:4-5 & 2:8-10). We believe all true believers elect of God, once saved, are kept secure in Christ forever.
(ROMANS 8:1, 29-30, 38-39; JOHN 10:27-30; JOHN 14:6, TITUS 3:4-7, ACTS 4:12, JOHN 1:12, ROMANS 3:21-26, I CORINTHIANS 15:1-4, HEBREWS 10:10-12, I JOHN 5:11-13, GALATIANS 3:26, JOHN 1:12, 3:16, 5:24)
We believe salvation is a gift of God and is received by man through personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacriļ¬ce for sin. We believe man is justiļ¬ed by grace through faith apart from works (Acts 13:38-39; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 1:4-5 & 2:8-10). We believe all true believers elect of God, once saved, are kept secure in Christ forever.
(ROMANS 8:1, 29-30, 38-39; JOHN 10:27-30; JOHN 14:6, TITUS 3:4-7, ACTS 4:12, JOHN 1:12, ROMANS 3:21-26, I CORINTHIANS 15:1-4, HEBREWS 10:10-12, I JOHN 5:11-13, GALATIANS 3:26, JOHN 1:12, 3:16, 5:24)
SANCTIFICATION
We believe sanctiļ¬cation, which is a setting apart unto God, is positional, progressive and ultimate. Positionally, it is already complete since the believer is in Christ and is set apart unto God. Since the Christian continues to struggle with sin, however, there is need for progressive sanctiļ¬cation whereby he grows in grace by the power of the Spirit. Ultimately, the child of God will be set apart from sin in his practice when he is taken to be with Christ and shall be like Him. (JOHN 17:17; 2 CORINTHIANS 3:18; EPHESIANS 5:25-27; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:23; HEBREWS 10:10, 14)
We believe sanctiļ¬cation, which is a setting apart unto God, is positional, progressive and ultimate. Positionally, it is already complete since the believer is in Christ and is set apart unto God. Since the Christian continues to struggle with sin, however, there is need for progressive sanctiļ¬cation whereby he grows in grace by the power of the Spirit. Ultimately, the child of God will be set apart from sin in his practice when he is taken to be with Christ and shall be like Him. (JOHN 17:17; 2 CORINTHIANS 3:18; EPHESIANS 5:25-27; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:23; HEBREWS 10:10, 14)
THE CHURCH
We believe that all who profess Jesus Christ and have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit belong to the one true church and are directed by the Scriptures to associate themselves in local, visible churches. The local church is the visible representation of Christās invisible church and consists only of regenerated believers. (HEBREWS 10:24-25, ACTS 2:41-47, 4:1-16, I CORINTHIANS 12-14, MATTHEW 16:13-28, 28:18-20, EPHESIANS 2:19-22, 24, MATTHEW 24:36, I THESSALONIANS 4:15-17, JOHN 14:1-3, MATTHEW 24-25, ACTS 2:9-11)
We believe that all who profess Jesus Christ and have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit belong to the one true church and are directed by the Scriptures to associate themselves in local, visible churches. The local church is the visible representation of Christās invisible church and consists only of regenerated believers. (HEBREWS 10:24-25, ACTS 2:41-47, 4:1-16, I CORINTHIANS 12-14, MATTHEW 16:13-28, 28:18-20, EPHESIANS 2:19-22, 24, MATTHEW 24:36, I THESSALONIANS 4:15-17, JOHN 14:1-3, MATTHEW 24-25, ACTS 2:9-11)
BAPTISM
We believe baptism is a picture that portrays a variety of scriptural truths: It proclaims Christās death and resurrection (I Corinthians 15:1-4). It serves public notice to the world of oneās new life in Christ (Matthew 10:32). It pictures a believerās death to sin and his resurrection to a spiritual life and lifestyle through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:3-7, 10-11). Although baptism does not save, every believer, serious in his or her own faith, will also be serious about baptism. The command of Scripture is ābe baptized.ā By it, we both please the Lord and declare His reality in our lives and to the world.
We believe baptism is a picture that portrays a variety of scriptural truths: It proclaims Christās death and resurrection (I Corinthians 15:1-4). It serves public notice to the world of oneās new life in Christ (Matthew 10:32). It pictures a believerās death to sin and his resurrection to a spiritual life and lifestyle through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:3-7, 10-11). Although baptism does not save, every believer, serious in his or her own faith, will also be serious about baptism. The command of Scripture is ābe baptized.ā By it, we both please the Lord and declare His reality in our lives and to the world.
THE LORDāS SUPPER
We believe the Lordās Supper is a picture and celebration of Christās death, the elements being symbols of His body and blood. We believe every believer has a right to partake of the elements of the Lordās Supper but that participation must always be preceded by solemn self-examination. (I CORINTHIANS 11:23-26)
We believe the Lordās Supper is a picture and celebration of Christās death, the elements being symbols of His body and blood. We believe every believer has a right to partake of the elements of the Lordās Supper but that participation must always be preceded by solemn self-examination. (I CORINTHIANS 11:23-26)
THE FUTURE
We believe that the next great event of human history will be the personal return of Jesus Christ. This is the BLESSED HOPE, for which all those who love Jesus Christ yearn. Though the time of Christās return is a mystery known only to the Father Himself, we believe that it is as sure as Jesusā ļ¬rst coming was fact. We believe in the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting in the presence of God for those who believe. (MATTHEW 24:36, I THESSALONIANS 4:15-17, JOHN 14:1-3, MATTHEW 24-25, ACTS 2:9-11)
We believe that the next great event of human history will be the personal return of Jesus Christ. This is the BLESSED HOPE, for which all those who love Jesus Christ yearn. Though the time of Christās return is a mystery known only to the Father Himself, we believe that it is as sure as Jesusā ļ¬rst coming was fact. We believe in the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting in the presence of God for those who believe. (MATTHEW 24:36, I THESSALONIANS 4:15-17, JOHN 14:1-3, MATTHEW 24-25, ACTS 2:9-11)