The following are the core beliefs of First Church based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in these biblical doctrines.
God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Gen. 1:1,26-27,3:22; Ps. 90:2; Mt. 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2Cor. 13:14
He is co-equal with the Father and lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose 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.
Mt. 1:22-23; Is. 9:6; Jn 1:1-5; Heb. 4:14-15; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Rom. 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Tim. 6:14-15; Titus 2:13
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God and is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation and provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right. He gives believers spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under his control daily.
2 Cor. 3:17; Jn. 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 2:12, 3:16; Eph. 1:13, 5:18; Gal. 5:25
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.
2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Tim. 1:13; Ps. 12:6, 119:105, 119:160; Pr. 30:5
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like him in character and person. 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.
Gen. 1:27; Ps. 8:3-6; Is. 53:6a; Rom. 3:23
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 and receiving 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.
Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9; Jn. 1:12, 14:6; Titus 3:5; Gal. 3:26; Rom. 5:1
We believe that the universal church, the body of Christ, consists of all believers regardless of organizational affiliation and that Christ commanded for His church the observance of water baptism and the Lord’s Supper until he returns. We also believe the local church should be a witness to the contemporary world. Without compromising biblical absolutes, a church’s ministry, worship, and teaching should creatively adapt to the particular culture it feels called to reach.
Col. 1:18; Eph. 4:4-6; Acts 1:5, 11:15-16; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; Mt. 16:18, 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:24-26
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 of eternal existence.
Jn. 3:16, Rom. 6:23; Rev. 20:15
