Our Beliefs

Statement of Beliefs

God

There is only one God, creator and ruler of the universe. He exists eternally as three distinct persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1Genesis 26Genesis 27Genesis 3:22Psalm 90:2Matthew 28:191 Peter 1:22 Corinthians 13:14

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ, second Person of the Trinity, was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless human life, willingly took upon Himself all of our sins, died and rose again bodily, and is at the right hand of the Father as our advocate and mediator.  Some day He will return to earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 1:22, 23Isaiah 9:6John 1:1-514:10-30Hebrews 4:14,15;  1 Corinthians 15:3,4;  Romans 1:3,4;  Acts 1:9-111 Timothy 6:14,15;  Titus 2:13

Salvation

Because of sin, all people deserve the judgment of God.  However, God freely offers salvation and eternal life to anyone who trusts in Jesus Christ and in His sacrifice on his or her behalf.  Salvation cannot be earned through personal goodness or human effort.  It is a gift that must be received by humble repentance and faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross.

Romans 5:1Romans 6:23Ephesians 2:8,9John 14:6John 1:12Titus 3:5Galatians 3:26

The Bible

The Bible is God's unique revelation to all people. Under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, human authors wrote it. As originally given, it is the infallible Word of God, and the supreme and final authority on all matters upon which it teaches.  No other writings are vested with such divine authority.

2 Timothy 3:162 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:160Psalm 12:6Proverbs 30:5

People

We believe that, without exception, every human being is a valuable person created by God in His image and thus possesses inherent dignity, and we are called to love and treat every person with genuine respect.  Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

Genesis 1:26-27Psalm 8:3-6Isaiah 53:6aRomans 3:23Isaiah 59:1-2

The Church

The Universal Church:
All believers are members of the body of Christ, the one true church universal.  Spiritual unity is to be expressed among Christians by acceptance and love of one another across ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, national, generational, gender, and denominational lines.

Matthew 16:18Acts 21 Thessalonians 4:13-17Ephesians 2:14-22Ephesians 4:4-61 Corinthians 12:12-30

The Local Church:
The local church is a congregation of believers who gather for worship, prayer, instruction, encouragement, mutual accountability, and community with each other.  Through it, believers invest time, energy, and resources to fulfill the Great Commission - reaching lost people and growing them into fully devoted followers of Christ. 

Acts 2:41-47Acts 12:5Acts 20:71 Corinthians 14:26-33Galatians 2:21 Timothy 5:16Hebrews 10:25

Eternity

People were created to exist forever.  At the final judgment, 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.

John 3:16John 14:17; Romans 6:23Romans 8:17-18Revelation 20:151 Corinthians 2:7-9

Southland 8 Renewal Principles

1. Bible for Knowing about God AND Knowing God

2. Jesus as only Savior AND Functional Lord

3. Prayer AND Listening Prayer

4. Fruit of the Spirit (character) AND ALL Gifts of the Spirit

5. Repentance AND Emotional Wholeness

6. Church for disciple making AND mission

7. Eternity AND End Times

8. Everyone a minister to Family AND Others

Southland 8 Renewal Principles

1. Bible for Knowing about God AND Knowing God

2. Jesus as only Savior AND Functional Lord

3. Prayer AND Listening Prayer

4. Fruit of the Spirit (character) AND ALL Gifts of the Spirit

5. Repentance AND Emotional Wholeness

6. Church for disciple making AND mission

7. Eternity AND End Times

8. Everyone a minister to Family AND Others