What We Believe

Statement of Faith

 

1.     What do we believe about God?

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory. 

  • We believe in the Trinity - one God who exists in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (e.g. Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 8:9-10; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
  • God is holy, loving, and just. He is sovereign and good. We’re committed to following God as He’s revealed Himself in Scripture, and don’t want to ignore or neglect any truths of His character and activity (e.g. Psalm 113; Psalm 145; John 1:14).
  • As the Creator, God is working with and toward a purpose, and He invites us to join with Him in that purpose and work (e.g. Genesis 1:1; Ephesians 1:3-10; Revelation 21:1-5).

 2.     What do we believe about the Bible?

 We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.

  • Inspired (e.g. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
  •  Inerrant (e.g. John 17:17; Titus 1:2)
  •  Authoritative (e.g. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12)

 3.     What do we believe about the human condition?

We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.

  • Humanity is created in God’s image, and therefore has tremendous purpose and value (e.g. Genesis 1:26-28).
  •  The reality (and seriousness) of sin (e.g. Romans 3:9-18; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3).
  •  The offer of reconciliation, redemption, and renewal (e.g. Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:4-10; Colossians 3:9-10).

 4.     What do we believe about Jesus Christ?

We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel's promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.

  • Fully God and fully man (e.g. John 1:14, 18; John 8:58)
  •  “promised Messiah”
  •  birth – sinless life – crucifixion – resurrection – ascension

 5.     What do we believe about the work of Christ?

We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.

  • The “exclusivity” of Jesus and His work (e.g. John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5)
  •  The “ground for salvation” – and what this means for us (e.g. Galatians 2:15-21)

 6.     What do we believe about the Holy Spirit?

 We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.

  •  The Holy Spirit is fully God (e.g. Acts 5:3-4; Romans 8:9-10).
  •  The work of the Holy Spirit in our lives (e.g. Romans 8:5-6; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31; Ephesians 1:13-14)

 7.     What do we believe about the church?

 We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.

  • The church is a people – not primarily a place or a program
  •  Priorities and practices of the church (e.g. Acts 2:42-47)
  •  Two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper (e.g. Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

 8.     What do we believe about Christian living?

 We believe that God's justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.

  • Christians sometimes focus on what we’re saved FROM. But we must not forget what we’re saved FOR (e.g. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-10; Colossians 3:1-17).
  •  Great Commandment (Matthew 22:367-40) and Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

 9.     What do we believe about Christ’s return?

 We believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.

  • Jesus is coming back (e.g. Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
  •  This means something for the way we live now (Mark 13:32-37; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

 10.  What do we believe about eternal destiny - and the need for response? 

We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.

  • Everyone is eternal, and heaven and hell are real (e.g. Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:11-15).
  •  Personal response is needed (Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-9)

 

Brookside Church is a church in the EFCA. To learn more about the EFCA, visit:
www.efca.org

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