PREAMBLE
Hope Christian Fellowship upholds the following affirmations concerning the Christian faith. We maintain that Statements 1 through 13 (inclusive) are necessary truths of orthodox Christianity and cannot be rejected or contradicted without grave and serious implications. We also maintain that Statements 10 through 20 (inclusive) embody our best attempt at defining additional biblical truths. We believe them to be truth as clearly described in Scripture, however we do not perceive them as barriers to fellowship with other Christians who may disagree.
STATEMENTS OF AFFIRMATION OF THE FAITH
DOCTRINES DESCRIBING THE FUNDAMENTAL NECESSARY TRUTHS OF HISTORIC, ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY THAT CANNOT BE REJECTED OR CONTRADICTED WITHOUT GRAVE AND SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS.
| Creation |
| Statement 1: We affirm that God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1), that all things have their existence and are sustained by and through Him (Colossians 1:17), that man was made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and that man is a living spirit who lives in a body and possesses a soul (mind, will, emotions) (Matthew 10:28) capable of reason, moral judgment, and the knowledge of his Creator. |
| Sin & Hell |
| Statement 2: We affirm that all men, except for Jesus, are sinners (Romans 3:23) and merit eternal punishment in Hell (Matthew 10:28), which is a real postmortem state of unending and conscious torment and separation from God. (Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12) |
| Jesus Christ |
| Statement 3: We affirm that Jesus, God the Son and the Second Person of the Trinity, was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23) and lived a sinless life (1 Peter 2:21-22) as both truly and fully God and truly and fully man. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18) |
| Christ’s Atonement |
| Statement 4: We affirm that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of men, that His death paid the just penalty for the sins of those who believe in Him, and that only through His blood can men be reconciled to God (Romans 5:10). Christ’s death, and the blood He shed, satisfied the price of sin—which is death (Romans 4:25; Romans 6:23). |
| Christ’s Resurrection |
| Statement 5: We affirm that Jesus was bodily and physically raised from the dead on the third day after His death (1 Corinthians 15:3), securing and guaranteeing the salvation and resurrection of those united to Him through faith and by the Holy Spirit. He then ascended to the right hand of God the Father (Colossians 3:1) where He intercedes on behalf of the saints (Romans 8:34) and exercises all authority as was given to Him by His Father. (Matthew 28:18) |
| Regeneration |
| Statement 6: We affirm that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential for personal salvation (John 3:3) and enables a Christian to live a godly life manifesting the fruit of the Spirit. (John 3:5-6; John 3:16; Romans 10:9; I Corinthians 6:19-20; Galatian 5:22-23) |
| Justification |
| Statement 7: We affirm that men are justified by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone (1 Corinthians 15:34). A Christian is saved and therefore shall produce good works as a result, not that good works merit any aspect of forgiveness (Ephesians 2:10). Salvation comes through belief that Jesus is Lord and the confession of that truth (Romans 10:9). |
| The Trinity |
| Statement 8: We affirm that there is one God who is eternally existent in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, who are each equally God, completely God, and united inseparably as one God. (Genesis 1:26; John 8:58; Acts 5:34) |
| The Bible |
| Statement 9: We affirm that the Bible is literally—word for word—and completely the authored Word of God delivered to man through the hands of men inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). The Bible is inerrant, without contradiction, mistake, or error, in its original manuscripts (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We further affirm that the Bible is truth, and that it is necessary and sufficient revelation to mankind of all that is needed for salvation, doctrine, life, godliness, and good works (Romans 10:17). As such, it is authoritative in all that it asserts and commands, demanding faith and obedience by all men (Hebrews 4:12). |
| The Church |
| Statement 10: We affirm that the church, also known as the body of Christ (Colossians 1:24), is an assembly of believers in Jesus Christ and is God’s invention (Matthew 16:18). We affirm that the church exists both in a global setting (Ephesians 1:22-23) as well as local (Acts 14:23), and it is through the church that Jesus is working to make His people holy (Ephesians 5:25-27). We affirm that the church is both a spiritual covering for believers (Ephesians 3:10) and is a place for worship, teaching, care (Acts 20:28), and correction (Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 5:12). In addition, as commanded by the Word (Hebrews 10:25), all Christians should seek to exist within a fellowship of believers of a local body and through the direction of the Holy Spirit seek to be utilized in a ministry suitable to their gifts (1 Peter 4:10-11). |
| Satan |
| Statement 11: We affirm that Satan is the real and personal enemy of God and the church and that he is a real deceiver (Genesis 3:13; Revelation 20:7-8), tempter (Mark 1:13), persecutor and accuser (Revelation 12:9-10). (Luke 10:18; I Peter 5:8; Matthew 25:41) |
| The Second Coming |
| Statement 12: We affirm that the Lord Jesus Christ will return again to the earth a second time bodily and physically, in glory, and visibly (Acts 1:9-11) at the end of this present age (Matthew 24:3), to raise the dead (John 6:40), judge mankind (Acts 17:31), establish justice (Isaiah 42:1), and reign forever (Luke 1:32). |
| The Resurrection |
| Statement 13: We affirm that there will be a bodily resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked (Acts 24:15), that the righteous will be raised to perfected, everlasting life (John 6:40) and that the wicked will be raised to eternal judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Matthew 7:13-14; Revelation 20:15). |
DOCTRINES DESCRIBING ADDITIONAL BIBLICAL TRUTHS WHICH WE BELIEVE EMBODY OUR BEST ATTEMPT TO DEFINE THEM. THESE TRUTHS ARE CLEARLY DESCRIBED IN SCRIPTURE, HOWEVER WE DO NOT PERCEIVE THEM AS BARRIERS TO FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS WHO MAY DISAGREE.
| Water Baptism |
| Statement 14: We affirm that Christians should be water baptized by immersion in water (John 3:23) in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19, Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 2:9; Philippians 2:9; Acts 10:47; Acts 19:5) |
| Baptism of the Holy Spirit |
| Statement 15: We affirm that baptism in the Holy Spirit is available to all genuine believers (John 7:38-39), generally occurs subsequent to conversion (Acts 8:12; Acts 8:17), is regularly demonstrated by speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4; Acts 10:45-46; Acts 19:6) and empowers believers for witnessing. We further affirm that baptism in the Spirit is not the same as being born of the Spirit (salvation). (Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:5 & 8; Acts 11:15-16; Acts 19:6) |
| Spiritual Gifts |
| Statement 16: We affirm that every Christian is a member of the body of the Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:15; Romans 12:4-5), that each member has certain gifts that are to be used in ministry for the edification of the body and for the glory of God, and that each of the spiritual gifts enumerated in 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 are to operate in the church today according to the Lord’s will. |
| The Lord’s Supper |
| Statement 17: We affirm that the Lord’s death should be remembered in the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26) |
| Church Leadership |
| Statement 18: We affirm that church leadership is comprised of elders and deacons (Philippians 1:1). Deacons serve the needs of the people (Acts 6:2-3) and elders shepherd and oversee the flock (Acts 20:28-29). In addition, some individuals are uniquely gifted and called to the five-fold offices of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher (Ephesians 4:11). We affirm that these five offices exist, function, and should be recognized in today’s church and that their purpose is to equip believers for service (Ephesians 4:12). All elders, deacons and five-fold ministry positions should be filled by biblically qualified individuals (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:7-8; 1 Timothy 3:8-13). |
| God’s Law |
| Statement 19: We affirm the law is a teacher to lead us to Christ, (Galatians 3:24) that righteousness in Christ is apart from the law (Romans 3:21), and that no one can ever be justified by keeping the law (Galatians 3:11; Galatians 2:16; Romans 3:20). We also affirm that the righteous requirements of the law are fully met in those who walk after the Spirit (Romans 8:4). As to the purpose of the law in society, we affirm that the law of God provides a basis for civic laws and is also a standard by which the lost can be convicted of their sin (1 Timothy 1:9) and recognize a need for a Savior (James 2:10). |
| The Rapture |
| Statement 20: We affirm that at the end of the age the Bride of Christ, which is the church, will be gathered together with Him. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2, John 14:1-3). |