Core Syllabus:
Who We Are
Core Values
Core Beliefs
This is not a complete listing of everything that we believe, but it covers the essential doctrines of the church. Believers Church is a main-stream, Evangelical, Grace-filled, Spirit-led church. The basis for the formation of our doctrine is a conservative view of scripture which believes that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Where the Bible is clear, we strive to be clear. Where the Bible is unclear, we steer away from developing dogma. Paul gave young Timothy a good piece of advice: "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Timothy 4:16
- Our Mission: "We are dedicated to developing fully devoted followers of Christ in every generation"
- Our Vision: "To be a Church Community that is an authentic expression of Christ"
Core Values
- Devote Daily: Devote ourselves daily to a personal relationship with Jesus. John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (We value the daily practice of the spiritual disciplines)
- Pursue Relationally: Pursue deep relationships with one another, based on love, acceptance and forgiveness. John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.” (We value the sign that tells the world that we are Christ’s disciples; which is Loving One Another)
- Teach Biblically: Build a Bible-Centric culture where the wisdom of God and sound Bible doctrine is the authoritative guide upon which we build our lives. 2 Timothy 3:16,17. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (We value the truth and authority of scripture above the wisdom of man)
- Live Authentically: Live authentically, sharing our struggles, encouraging and admonishing one another faithfully towards maturity. James 5:15 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (We value the spiritual accountability that comes from authentic relationships)
- Engage Missionally: Engage intentionally with our communities and the world to make disciples. Matthew 28:19,20 “God therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (We value the Great Commission and will use our resources to make disciples and expand the Kingdom of God)
- Proclaim Courageously: Cultivate a church culture where members boldly articulate the good news. Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 10:14 “But before people can pray to the Lord for help, they must believe in him. And before they can believe in the Lord, they must hear about him. And for anyone to hear about the Lord, someone must tell them.” (We value the “Call” to proclaim the Gospel Message throughout the nations with the commitment to make Jesus known)
- Serve with Excellence: Serve with the understanding of who we are serving and what Kingdom we are building. Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (We value the idea of bringing glory to God in all the we do)
- Walk in Integrity: That the fruit of our lives would match the rhetoric of our mouths. Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Core Beliefs
This is not a complete listing of everything that we believe, but it covers the essential doctrines of the church. Believers Church is a main-stream, Evangelical, Grace-filled, Spirit-led church. The basis for the formation of our doctrine is a conservative view of scripture which believes that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Where the Bible is clear, we strive to be clear. Where the Bible is unclear, we steer away from developing dogma. Paul gave young Timothy a good piece of advice: "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Timothy 4:16
- The Bible The Bible contains the exact information that God desires to reveal to mankind. It is the truth that guides us and the final authority upon which we build our lives. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
- The Holy Trinity The Bible reveals God in three persons; God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit. We see the Holy Trinity fully represented when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. The Father declared, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased;” and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove. Although the idea of one God revealed in three persons is a challenging concept; it serves as a reminder of how great and beyond definition our God is. (Colossians 2:9: Matthew 28:19; Matthew 3:16,17)
- God, the Father: Christians identify the creator as "Our Father, which art in heaven." He has existed from the beginning and will forever rule over all that He has created. There is one word that best describes our heavenly Father, it is the word "love." God is love and He loved the world so much that He sent Jesus to rescue us from our sin. (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 6:9-13)
- God, the Son (Jesus Christ): Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in an Israelite virgin named Mary. Jesus was God in the flesh, and yet, He experienced all the temptations and difficulties that are common to all. He lived His life without sin, was crucified on a cross for the sins of the world and rose in triumph over death. He is now ruling at the right hand of our heavenly Father, acting on behalf of those that believe in Him. One day Jesus will return to the earth to rule. (Hebrews 1:3; 3:1; 7:23-25: 9:24: 12:2; 1 John 2:1-2).
- God, the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is a person, is God and performs a ministry of conviction, regeneration and sanctification. He indwells every believer. (John 3:8; 15:26, 27; 16:7-15; Ephesians 4:30; 5:18). The Holy Spirit equips the members of Christ's body today for ministry through the importation of spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).
- Man and Salvation: Man was created in the image of God; he sinned, and consequently experienced not only physical death but also spiritual death which is separation from God. Every human being is born with a sinful tendency, and when he reaches moral responsibility, he becomes a sinner in thought, word and deed; but may receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, as a gift of God's grace and not the result of any human effort or merit. We boldly declare that Jesus is the only way that leads to salvation, and that He is the only name under heaven whereby we are saved. (Genesis 1:26; 3:1-24; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:8; John 1:12).
- The Christian Life: Every believer in Christ should be committed to the Lordship of Christ; ever growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ; and to the fellowship of the saints. (Romans 12:1, 2; Galatians 5:15, 25; 2Corinthians 12:12.13; Hebrews 10:25).
- The Church: The church is the body and bride of Christ. It is a spiritual organism made up of believers in Christ and manifested in local congregations. (Ephesians 1:22, 23; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13).
- Church Ordinances: The two ordinances of the church are baptism and the Lord's supper. Baptism should be administered to believers upon their verbal confession of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The ordinance of the Lord's supper should be observed regularly in remembrance of Christ's death and in anticipation of His return. The elements of the Lord's supper are symbolic of His body and blood. (Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
- Satan: Satan is a real and personal being. He is the adversary of God and His people. He is not all powerful. He is not all present and he is not all knowing. (Matthew 4:1; 1 Peter 5:6).
- Spiritual Warfare: The Church of Jesus Christ is engaged in an epic battle against powers of darkness; at stake are the souls of mankind. Christ has assured us that because He was victorious on the Cross those who believe in Christ will be victorious as well. (Romans 8:32-39; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 John 5:4; Revelations 3:5).
- The Eternal State: Both believers and unbelievers will be bodily raised and all men will appear before Christ to be judged. The saved will experience everlasting blessedness in eternal life with God; the lost will experience everlasting conscious punishment in eternal separation from God. (Philippians 1:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelations 20:11-15).
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