What We Believe: Statement of Faith
The Bible
God
The Bible is the inspired Word of God and is to be our final authority in all matters of our Christian lives and our daily living. Human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, penned the words we read in the Bible. As a result of being inspired of God, it is truth without any mixture or error; it is infallible (Psalm 12:6; 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
God is the Creator and Ruler of the Universe. He eternally exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are equal and are one God (Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:3).
Jesus Christ
The Holy Spirit
Jesus Christ is the Son of God born of a virgin. He is equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all by dying on the 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 to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15).
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make mankind aware of our need for Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit indwells a believer at the moment of salvation and provides the power for Christian living, understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right. We believe that some gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and miraculous healings, were given as authenticating signs to the early church, were therefore temporary, and are not to be expected as the norm for the church in all ages. All believers receive spiritual gifts that differ, according to the will of God, to be used for the common good (John 14:16-17, 26; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1).
Mankind
We are all made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. We are the supreme object of God's creation. Although mankind has tremendous potential for good, we are all marred by sin. Sin separates us from God (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Isaiah 59:1-2, Romans 3:23).
The Church
The Church is the body of Christ, which is composed of all believers who have accepted Christ as Savior (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
Salvation
Individual Persons
Salvation is a gift from God to mankind. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can we be saved from sins' penalty. Eternal life begins the moment we receive Jesus Christ into our life by faith. Because this eternal life is through Jesus Christ all believers are secure in salvation for eternity. Our salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian (John 1:12; 14:6; Romans 5:1; 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14;
1 Peter 1:3-5).
1 Peter 1:3-5).
God created each of us with a purpose. Each person is to have a relationship with the Father through His Son Jesus, and to live under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Each person has been given gifts to serve alongside other followers of Christ in the family environment of a local church. God wants to use all believers as His ambassadors in reaching others with the gospel of Christ (John 1:1-4; Romans 8:28-30; 1 Corinthians 12:12-21; 2 Corinthians 5:20).
Eternity
We are all created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. The place of eternal separation from God is called Hell. Heaven is the place of eternal union and eternal life with God (Revelation 20:15; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Revelation 21:27).
The Sanctity Of Human Life
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life (Psalm 139).
Marriage, Gender & Sexuality
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female, and that these two distinct, complimentary genders together reflects the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27) Rejection of one's biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
We believe that the term "marriage" has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen 2:18-25) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb 13:4) Marriage between one man and one woman for life reflects Christ's relationship with His Church. (Eph 5:21-33) Thus, marriage between one man and one woman serves as the foundational unit of a stable society. (1 Cor 7:2)
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God.
(Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10)
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Fellowship Community Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the Church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the Church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. (Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess 5:22)
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11)
We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31) Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Fellowship.
We believe that the term "marriage" has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen 2:18-25) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb 13:4) Marriage between one man and one woman for life reflects Christ's relationship with His Church. (Eph 5:21-33) Thus, marriage between one man and one woman serves as the foundational unit of a stable society. (1 Cor 7:2)
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God.
(Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10)
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Fellowship Community Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the Church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the Church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. (Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess 5:22)
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11)
We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31) Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Fellowship.
Final Authority For Matters Of Belief & Conduct
This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Fellowship Community Church's faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Board of Elders is the Church's final interpretive authority on the Bible's meaning and application to the extent that such interpretation is not inconsistent with the above.