We at First Christian Church (FCC) agree that the following summary represents the core beliefs of the

Christian faith according to Scripture and identifies who we are as a church. This statement of faith does

not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks

with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind. Therefore, it is the

sole and final source of all that we believe. Our board of elders is the final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application for FCC's faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline.

 

THE BIBLE: We believe that the Bible is God’s Holy Word. We believe God inspired the authors and

original writing of the Scriptures and protected them from error. - Mark 12:36; John 14:26; 16:12-15;

Acts 1:16; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13; 2 Timothy 3:14-16; 2 Peter 1:20-21

 

GOD: There is one holy God who eternally exists in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God

created all things visible and invisible. God is perfect in wisdom, power, and love. He knows all things

past, present, and future. His sovereign plan of redemption was set in place before the foundation of the

world. - Genesis 1:1-2, Deuteronomy 6:4, Hebrews 11:3, Ephesians 1:9-10; Revelation 13:8

 

JESUS: Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son, born of a virgin, fully divine, and fully human. He is our

Savior and Lord. Jesus, who was without sin, died in our place as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins,

bearing divine wrath and reconciling to God all who trust in Him. Jesus was bodily resurrected in victory

over sin and death. He ascended to the right hand of God the Father where He presently reigns as our

King, High Priest, and Advocate until His glorious return. - John 3:16, Colossians 1:15; 2:9-15; 1

Corinthians 15:3-8, 20-28; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Hebrews 4:14-15

 

HOLY SPIRIT: The Holy Spirit is fully divine and active in the Church and the world. The Holy Spirit draws

all people to Christ by illuminating the gospel and convicting us of our sins. The Holy Spirit dwells in the

life of a believer to transform, guide, assure, and empower them to live a fruitful Christian life. - John

16:8-11; Acts 2:38; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Galatians 3:2

 

HUMANITY: God creates all humans, male and female, in His image. Therefore, all people have intrinsic

value and purpose. Death entered the world through the sin of the first man and woman, Adam and Eve.

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We are alienated from God and without hope apart

from the blood of Jesus Christ. - Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-3

 

SALVATION: Salvation can be found in Christ alone and is offered to all people by grace through faith.

Living faith is demonstrated through repentance, confession, baptism by immersion, and a life of

obedience. - Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 3:23; 5:12, Acts 2:38, Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 2:4-10

 

CHURCH: The Church is the body of Christ on earth, with Christ as its head. God’s Church is comprised of

a priesthood of all believers, serving as ministers of the gospel according to the individual gifts which

God has given them. Together the Church is called to make disciples of all nations until Christ returns. -

Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 3:10; 4:11-13; Colossians 1:18; 1 Peter 2:9-10

 

MARRIAGE: FCC believes in Jesus’ definition of marriage—that marriage must be between one man and

one woman. For this reason, we believe that all sex outside of Jesus’ definition is sinful, including

same-sex marriage. - Genesis 1:27, 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6

 

RETURN OF CHRIST: Christ will visibly return to restore creation and judge the world. There will be a

bodily resurrection of the believers to eternal life with God in heaven. However, for those who do not

believe, there will be eternal judgment in hell. In heaven, sin and sorrow will be no more, and those in

Christ will live in fellowship with God forever. - Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians

1:5-12; Revelation 20:11-15