What We BelieveTherefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use,

set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. – 2 Timothy 2:21 ESV

STATEMENT OF FAITH

1. Holy Bible: The Holy Bible, and only the Bible, is one hundred percent the Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. The Bible, in its original writing, is inspired, inerrant and infallible

(II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21).

2. Trinity: In one God there are three distinct persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. They are all co-equal and co-eternal

(I John 5:7; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; Luke 1:35).

3. God, the Father: God the Father is the First Person of the Trinity. He is the Creator, Preserver and Sustainer of the whole creation

(Genesis 1:1; Psalm 3:5, 36:6; Isaiah 46:4).

4. Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is God the Son, the Second Person of the Trinity, who had no beginning and will have no ending. On earth, Jesus was one-hundred percent God and one-hundred percent man. He is the only man to have ever lived a sinless life

(John 1:1, 14; John 20:28; I Timothy 2:5; 3:16; 2 Timothy 1:9; Isaiah 9:6).

5. The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity. Among his various ministries He convicts, regenerates, sanctifies, guides, and empowers through his gifts to all believers

(1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Galatians 5:16-23; Titus 3:5).

6. Virgin Birth: God the Father, through the Holy Spirit, implanted the Lord Jesus Christ in the Virgin Mary’s womb. Therefore, He is the Son of God (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:27-35).

7. Repentance: The commitment we make to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ

(Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19).

8. Sanctification: The ongoing process of yielding to God in order to complete the development of Christ’s character in us

(I Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 2:11).

9. Jesus’ Blood: The blood that Jesus Christ shed on the cross of Calvary was sinless and is totally sufficient to cleanse us of all sins. Jesus allowed himself to be punished for the sins we have committed, enabling all those who believe in him to be free from the penalty of sin, which is death

(I John 1:7; Revelation 1:5; 5:9; Colossians 1:20; 23; 5:9; John 1:29).

10. Jesus Christ indwells all Believers: Christians are people who have invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come and live inside them. They are putting their trust in what Jesus accomplished for them when He died, was buried, and rose again from the dead

(John 1:12; 14:17, 23; 15:4; Romans 8:11; Revelation 3:20).

11. Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Given at Pentecost, it is the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after his Ascension, to empower the Church to preach the Gospel throughout the whole earth. Its purpose is to bring edification to believers and to enhance their prayer lives. It is also a sign to the unbeliever (Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:5, 8; 2:1-4, 17, 38-39; 8:14-17; 10:38, 44-47; 11:15-17; 19:1-6).

12. The Church: The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission. Every person who is born of the Spirit is an integral part of the church as a member of the body of believers

(Ephesians 1:22; 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23).

13. Healing of the Sick: Healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus and included in the commission of Jesus to his disciples. It is given as a sign that is to follow believers. It is also a part of Jesus’ atonement on the cross

(Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; James 5:14-16).

14. Health and Prosperity: As part of Jesus’ work of salvation, it is the Father’s will for believers to become whole, healthy and successful in all areas of life including:

a) Spiritual

(John 3:3, 11; II Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 10:9-10)

b) Mental and emotional

(II Timothy 1:7; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3)

c) Physical

(Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24)

d) Financial

(Joshua 1:8; Malachi 3:10-11; Luke 6:38; II Corinthians 9:6-10; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Psalm 34:10; 84:11; Philippians 4:19)

15. Resurrection: Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body on the third day. One day all believers in Christ will also be physically resurrected in their glorified bodies to their eternal reward in Heaven with God (Luke 24:36, 39; John 2:19-21; 20:26-28; Acts 24:15; I Corinthians 15: 42, 44; Philippians 3:21).

16. Heaven: Heaven is the eternal dwelling place of God and of all believers who have trusted in Jesus Christ for their salvation in accordance with the gospel message

(Matthew 5:12; 6:20; 19:21; 25:34; John 17:24; Hebrews 11:16; I Peter 1:4).

17. Second Coming of Christ: Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish his kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures

(Matthew 24:30; 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; II Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7).

18. Hell: After living one life on earth, the unbelievers will be judged by God and sent to Hell, where they will be eternally tormented along with the devil and his fallen angels

(Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9-11; 20:12-15; 21:8).

19. Marriage: We affirm the traditional Biblical definition of marriage as between one man and one woman as designed and created by God in the beginning

(Genesis 1:27-28; 2:21-24; 1 Corinthians 7:2).

20. Two Sacraments:

a) Water Baptism: Following a person’s profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit

(Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12, 36-38).

b) The Lord’s Supper: For believers it is a unique time of communion in the presence of God, when the elements of bread and wine (representing the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross (Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 10:16).

Erin Coss in Vessel Community Church3 years ago

Erin Coss
in
Vessel Community Church
3 years ago