LOOKING UP as Jesus-Followers:
1. GOD-DIRECTED- we are empowered and led by God (1 Cor 2:4-5).
2. PRAYER is PRIMARY- for the work of God's people (Phil 4:6-7).
3. GOD'S WORD is FOUNDATIONAL- knowing and obeying it is essential to a life of meaning (Josh 1:8).
CONNECTING IN as a Healthy Spiritual Family:
4. LIFE of WORSHIP- all we are and have belongs to God (Rom 12:1-2).
5. HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS - characterized by love, authenticity and commitment across generations in the church, home and community (1 Cor 13).
REACHING OUT on a Mission of Love:
6. MULTIPLYING DISCIPLES - with holistic transformation from unbelief to belief through intentional relationships (Matt 28:18-20).
7. ENGAGING the LOST- people are important to God so we build missional bridges able to uphold the weight of the Gospel (Acts 1:8).
We are part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. For more info on those Core Beliefs check out:
Beliefs of the Christian and Missionary Alliance
BAPTISM:
What it Means:
•Water baptism was established by Jesus in connection with His Great Mission to the apostles. (Matt 28:19)
•Jesus said new disciples were to be baptized in the name of the Triune God.
•We believe this is a permanent practice for the church called an “ordinance.”
•Baptism followed repentance & faith in NT times. (Ex: Acts 2:38-41, 18:18)
•Those who’ve repented of sin & put faith in Jesus for eternal life are encouraged to take this step of obedience.
•In early times, baptisms were conducted in public places where loved ones could observe- as a public witness that the person was a Jesus-follower.
•Baptisms symbolize the believer’s union with Jesus (Rom. 6:3-4).
•Immersion symbolizes the end of the old life, and new life has begun. (Gal. 3:27, Acts 8:38-39)
•It’s an “outward sign of inward change.”
Practical Advice:
1.A potential individual should be old enough to understand the significance of baptism.
2.It’s not required for salvation, but it’s encouraged to follow Jesus here as a step of obedience.
3.Persons previously baptized as believers don’t need to be rebaptized.
4.When immersion isn’t possible, an alternate mode is acceptable.