The simplest expression of our statement of faith is the Apostle's Creed (our full statement of faith and other information may be found below). This is (and has been for the last 1700 years) a simple, concise way to communicate what it means to be a Christian. Alongside that, we would add what we believe to be the purpose of humanity. We exist for two things: Relationship and Mission. Let me explain.

When God created Adam and Eve, He gave them both Relationship and Mission. They had an Upward relationship with God who walked with them day by day. They had an Inward relationship with each other as partners and in marriage. They had an outward relationship with the world in which they cared for and named the animals and ruled the earth. They also had an Upward mission with God, to obey His commands and follow His lead. They had an Inward mission to be fruitful and multiply as husband and wife. They had an Outward mission to subdue the earth and rule over it as royalty. These two things, Relationship and Mission, are imprinted on the heart of every human being. It's been said that there are two universal desires: the desire to be loved and the desire to have purpose. Relationship and Mission.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

a. Word of God

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

b. The Trinity

We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, that these three are equal in every divine characteristic, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, redemption and providence. We believe that the triune God exists separately from the universe He created, yet He is present everywhere within it.

c. God the Father

We believe in God, the Father, an eternal, infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, justice and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of humans, that he hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

d. Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son: genuine deity and genuine humanity in one person. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life and His miracles and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary redemptive death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth.

e. The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit as the third Person of the Trinity, who exists eternally with the Father and the Son. We believe that the Holy Spirit was sent from the Father and the Son and that He is essential in redemption, in baptizing the believer into the Body of Christ, permanently indwelling him at the time of conversion, in filling and empowering him for godly living and effective service, and in sovereignly bestowing gifts which enable him to exercise a fruitful spiritual ministry.

f. Salvation

We believe that all human beings are sinners by nature and by choice and that sin has brought the entire human race under divine condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior are justified by grace and regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

g. The Church

We believe in the universal Church, the spiritual body of which Christ is the head. All regenerated persons are baptized by the Holy Spirit into this Body as members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ and associated for worship, work and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of fulfilling the Great Commission by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world and by discipling the believers. Believe that Christians should live a holy life for the glory of God and the well-being of their fellow persons, that their conduct should be in accord with the Word of God and blameless before the world, that they should be faithful stewards of their possessions, and that they should seek to realize for themselves and others the full stature of maturity in Christ.

i. Spiritual Warfare

We believe that all who are in Christ face daily opposition on three continuously interacting fronts: the flesh, the world system and a structured kingdom of evil spirits over which Satan rules. We believe Satan to be a personal powerful created being who rebelled against God and led a large host of created angels to rebel with him. We believe that Satan and his demonic hosts wage a war of daily spiritual assault against humankind, attempting to extend their influence against the kingdom of God. We believe that Christian believers and Christian institutions are the major focus of the strategic attacks from these powers of darkness. We believe that Satan is a defeated foe through the finished work of Christ. We believe that God has fully equipped His Church with the grace to endure Satan’s Attacks and with the authority and spiritual weaponry ultimately to administer his defeat. We believe that the Church is responsible to teach believers to resist Satan by practicing the biblical application of their victory and identity in Christ. We believe that the effects of this spiritual conflict should be taken into account when ministering to the spiritual emotional and physical needs of people.

j. Last Things

We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the judgment of believers’ works, the eternal joy of the righteous, and the final judgment and endless suffering of the wicked. We believe in the final judgment of Satan and his hosts and in the establishment of the new heaven and new earth in which righteousness permanently dwells.

For information about Great Commision Churches (our denomination), please visit www.gccweb.org.