divine hope church

I. We believe the Bible is the Word of God.

A.    The Bible is the inspired, trustworthy and written record of God’s self-revelation to humanity (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21).

B.    The Bible is sufficient for faith and practice in any age (II Timothy 3:16-17).

C.   The Bible has God for its author, salvation for its end because of His love for us and truth for its matter (John 1:1; John 17:17).

D.   Only the 66 books chosen by the leading of God through the early church are accepted as authoritative.

E.    The criterion by which the Bible is to be interpreted is Jesus Christ, under the direction of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13-15).

II. We believe in the Trinity.

A.    There is only one true, living God (I Corinthians 8:6;

I Thessalonians 1:9-10).

B.    God exists eternally as Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; John 14:9-11; II Corinthians 13:14).

III. We believe in the following attributes of God:

A.    God is present everywhere (omnipresent) (Psalm 139).

B.    God has perfect knowledge of all things (omniscient) (Psalm 147:5).

C.   God’s power knows no bounds or limitations; He rules and sustains the universe according to His nature (omnipotent) (Psalm 107:21-43; Isaiah 40:10-26; Job 38-39).

D.   God is above all and is able to bring to pass everything that He wills (transcendent) (Job 42:2).

E.    God’s nature is unchanging (immutable) (Exodus 3:14; James 1:17; Hebrews 13:8).

F.    God is near and ever-present (immanent) (Leviticus 26:11-12; Matthew 28:20).

G.   God is without beginning and ending (eternal) (Revelation 1:8).

I.      God is holy and perfect (Leviticus 11:44-45; Matthew 5:48; Mark 10:17-18).

IV. We believe in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, which means that our salvation has been made possible through the life, death, physical resurrection, ascension and intercessory work of Christ.

A.    Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, Jesus Christ was fully human yet also fully divine (Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1-3, 14).

B.    Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).

C.   Jesus Christ, through His shed blood, is the once-for-all atonement for humanity’s sins (Romans 5:8-11; Ephesians 1:7).

D.   Jesus Christ is the Head of the church as we all must submit to His authority (Ephesians 1:22-23).

E.    Jesus Christ will return to take believers to heaven (John 14:1-4; Acts 1:9-11).

(Continued at the top of the next column)



 

(Continued from the previous column)

V. We believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

A.    Believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at salvation (Acts 2:38; 5:32).

B.    Believers are provided assurance of their salvation by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14).

C.   Believers will be empowered for testimony (Luke 12:11-12).

D.   The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth and interpret the Scriptures (John 14:23-26; 16:13-14; 17:14-17; I Corinthians 2:9-14).

E.    The Holy Spirit will empower and equip believers for service (John 14:16-18; I Corinthians 12:4-11; Acts 1:8).

F.    The Holy Spirit binds people together in unity of fellowship (Ephesians 4:3; I Corinthians 12:4-13).

G.   The Holy Spirit inspired men of old to write the Scriptures (II Peter 1:20-21).

VI. We believe in the need for personal salvation, thus responding to God’s love and desire for us to spend eternity with Him (John 10:10b; John 3:16).

A.    All persons are in need of salvation (Romans 3:23).

B.    We can do nothing to earn salvation; we are saved by the grace (unmerited favor) of God (Ephesians 2:8-9).

C.   God forgives our sins (I John 1:9; Psalm 32:1-5; Psalm 103:11-12).

D.   Salvation involves the redemption of the whole person and is offered freely by God to all who repent and accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (Romans 3:21-26; John 1:12-13; Acts 2:38; Titus 2:11-14).

E.    God desires that none would be lost but, consistent with the free will given to persons by God, God allows the choice of salvation or eternal damnation (Ezekiel 33:11; II Peter 3:9; Joshua 24:15; Romans 6:23).

VII. We believe Satan and those who have not accepted the gift of salvation will be confined to hell, which will ultimately be cast into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:10, 15; Matthew 25:41).

__________

What does the "priesthood of all believers" mean?

It means that our church is here to partner with you to help you become everything God intends for you to be. 

That means two things. 

First, we will do all we can to help you come to complete spiritual maturity in your walk with Christ. That's why our church specializes in teaching rather than preaching.  We're here to help you take that first step of making Jesus your Forever Friend, but we believe that step is only the beginning and the "walk" leads to the spiritual maturity God desires for us.  That's why our emphasis is on teaching to help you in your walk.

Second, we will do all we can to help you discover your personal passion - your unique call of God - and provide you with an opportunity to fulfill God's purpose for you. God has a plan for your life and we are here to join with you in that search for significance that is found through serving Him in the way He designed for you to minister to your world.

For a complete copy of our "Christian Core Values" statement, please contact us for a copy.