Our Beliefs

OUR BELIEFS

God’s story is a story of love and redemption. The story or message that most clearly shows this redemptive love is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (John 3:16). Paul says this message is of “first importance” (1 Corinthians 15:3). As God reveals his nature through the stories of the Bible, the following teachings emerge as central doctrines. These teachings form the core of our beliefs at Christ Redeemer Church.

At Christ Redeemer Church, we sincerely try to follow the Bible and its teachings. However, our ability to logically figure everything out is not the basis for our acceptability before God. Our salvation is based on what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. What we must be right about is the fact that we cannot be right about everything and are therefore completely dependent on God’s graciousness and mercy.

The Trinity

It is the testimony of both the Old and New Testaments and of the Christian Church that God is BOTH One and Triune. The biblical revelation testifies that there is one God and that He is eternally existent in three persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:16-17; Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 9:6)

God The Father

God the Father is the creator and sustainer of all things, and He created the universe in love. He created man in His own image for fellowship and called man back to Himself through Jesus Christ after rebellion and the fall of man.

Jesus Christ

Jesus was miraculously born of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:35) and became flesh and blood (John 1:1-16, John 1:29-34) without ceasing to be God. He lived a sinless life and performed many miracles to confirm his divinity. He died on the cross as a perfect sacrifice, paying the debt for our sins (Mark 10:45). On the third day after his death, he arose from the dead, showing his victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). He appeared to his disciples and then ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God, serving as our mediator.

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son. He makes people aware of their need for Christ (John 16:8-11). He indwells and empowers the believer (1 John 4:13, Galatians 5:16-26. His
Presence in our life is a seal and guarantee that we are God’s children (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).Holy Spirit gives believers spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, Romans 12:4-8) to be used to help
others.

Atonement

Christ’s death on the cross paid the penalty for the sins of the whole world, but its benefits are only applicable to those who receive Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Healing in the body, soul, and spirit, and all of God’s provisions for His saints are provided for in the atonement, but these must be appropriated. (1 Peter 3:18, 2:24; Romans 3:23-25; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

Salvation

Salvation is a free gift of God. The death of Christ on the cross is the only sufficient payment for our sins. All have sinned, but all can be saved. This salvation is available for any who puts their trust in Christ as Savior (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, John 3:16). Those trusting Christ should repent of sin, confess their faith, and be baptized (Romans 10:9, Acts 2:38).

Church

The church is the Body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue the task of reaching the lost and discipling the saved, helping them become fully devoted followers of Christ.
(Ephesians 4:1-16).

Bible

The Bible is the inspired Word of God and is the final authority in life and doctrine. (2 Timothy 3:16). In its original writing, it is infallible and inerrant. (2 Peter 1:20-21, Proverbs 30:5, Romans
16:25-26).

Virgin Birth

Jesus Christ was conceived by God the Father, through the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary’s womb; therefore, He is the Son of God. (Matthew 1:18, 25; Luke 1:27, 35; Isaiah 7:14)

Redemption

Man was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression he fell; his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21)

Repentance

Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ, which allows us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Thus, through repentance we receive forgiveness of sins and appropriate salvation. (Acts 2:21, 3:19; 1 John 1:9)

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The gifts of the Holy Spirit that we see on display in the New Testament are still active within the life of the church today. These gifts did not end with the close of the New Testament or the death of the last apostle. We deny the suggestion that an experience of miraculous gifts is a sign of greater faith or a requirement for salvation. All believers are given gifts to be used for the building up of the church. (1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 1 Peter 4:10).

Men and Women

Men and women, created in the image of God, are absolutely equal in essence, dignity, and value, and are distinct by divine design. As part of God’s good, created order, men and women are to have different yet complementary roles and responsibilities in the home and church. As it relates to Christ Redeemer Church, men and women are both expected to lead; however, the office of elder is reserved for qualified men. (Genesis 1:26, 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1).

Return of Christ

Christ will one day return and judge all people. (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Believers will be welcomed into God’s presence in heaven. Unbelievers will be in hell, separated from God’s presence.

OUR SACRAMENTS & VALUES

Our sacraments and values reflect the heart of who we are as followers of Jesus and shape the way we live, worship, and serve together. Through Baptism, we publicly declare our faith and commitment to Christ as an outward expression of an inward transformation. Through Communion, we remember and celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, gathering together in worship and gratitude for His sacrifice and presence among us.

As a church family, our values guide how we grow in our relationship with God and engage the world around us. We live in dependence on the Holy Spirit, pursue God through persistent prayer, and strive to love others authentically as Jesus did. Together, we gather in worship, encourage one another in faith, and seek to share the hope and love of Jesus in everything we do.

Baptism

Baptism is an act of obedience and an outward demonstration of an inward commitment to Christ by one who declares their faith to others by water immersion. (Matthew 3:16-17, 1 Peter 3:21,
Romans 6:17).

Communion

Communion is a time to remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. During this memorial remembrance, the bread symbolizes the body of Christ, and the wine symbolizes the blood of Christ. When believers gather in his name to take the elements in an act of worship, Christ’s presence is among them. At Christ Redeemer, we practice communion weekly. (Matthew 26:26-28, Luke 22:19).

Marriage

We believe the Bible defines marriage as one man, one woman, for life. We further believe that intimate sexual activity is a sacred gift of God and is intended to be celebrated only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (Mark 10:6-9, 1 Corinthians 6:18, 1 Corinthians 7:2-5, Hebrews 13:4).

God Dependence

We live fully surrendered to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:13-16, Galatians 5:22-25, John 16:13).

Persistent Prayer

Prayer fuels our relationship with God and aligns us to his will. (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Philippians 4:6-7, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Matthew 6:5-15).

Authentic Love

Jesus authentically loved all people, and we will too. (John 13:34-35, 1 John 3:16, 1 John 4:12).

Family Focus

We partner with families to raise the next generation of Jesus followers. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Proverbs 22:6, Joshua 24:15, Ephesians 5:22-33).

Biblical Community

We encourage one another through intentional relationships where everyone is known and loved. (Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 3:13, Romans 12:10, James 5:16).

Radical Generosity

Everything we are and everything we have is devoted to serving God and serving others. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Mark 10:45, John 3:16-18).

Worship Together

We experience God weekly in worship together. (Hebrews 10:23-25, Colossians 3:16).

Serve Others

We express love daily through serving others. (1 Peter 4:10, Galatians 5:13).