As the local church, we recognize we are part of the larger visible church. This refers not only to our denomination, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), but more importantly to the whole body of Christ composed of Gospel-centered, Bible confessing Christians the world over. 

 

In our desire to communicate openly and comprehensibly about our faith and biblical stance, we express these core beliefs as essential to the local body of Hope Community Church and all its ministries.

 

THE BIBLE

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We believe the Bible (composed of both the Old and New Testaments) is the authentic, authoritative, infallible and inerrant Word of God. It is the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of all who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. As such, it is true in everything it affirms and is the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life.  (1 Thessalonians 2:13; Galatians 1:11–12; 1 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 1 John 5:9; Revelation 22:18–19) 

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GOD​

 

We believe there is only one true God, uncreated, infinitely perfect and sovereign, eternally existent in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the Trinity. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. (Genesis 1:1; John 10:30, John 10:37-38; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Colossians 1:16-17)

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JESUS

 

We believe in the divine nature of Jesus Christ. He is perfectly God and perfectly man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He lived a sinless life and died on the cross as the only acceptable sacrifice for our sins as prophesied throughout the Old Testament Scriptures. He physically resurrected from the dead, ascended into heaven with all authority, to the right hand of God the Father, where he now intercedes for every believer. He will return to earth, visibly and physically, in power and glory. (John 1:1; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:35; Hebrews 4:14-15; Hebrews 7:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; John 2:11; Hebrews 9:12; Ephesians 1:7,20; Mark 16:19; Colossians 1:14; John 11:25; Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-16)

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THE HOLY SPIRIT

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We believe in the active power of the Holy Spirit and his ministry of glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and in this present age to regenerate and convict the sinner’s heart to repent and believe in Christ alone for salvation. Then, to continually indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for Godly living and service. (Titus 3:5; John 15:26; John 16:8; Ephesians 5:18; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

 

SIN & SALVATION

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We believe man was created perfect, in the image of God, but fell into sin and is, therefore, lost. Due to this, every person born is by nature a sinner and deserving of God’s justice and wrath. Only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can the gracious gift of eternal salvation be received and spiritual new life be obtained, by trusting only in the atoning blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Neither by works, nor by any other means, is there salvation apart from Jesus Christ. (Genesis1:27; Romans 5:12; John 3:16-19, 5:24; Romans 3:19,23; 5:8-9; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5-6; Acts 4:12)

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BAPTISM & THE LORD’S SUPPER

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We believe that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Communion) for the believer are sacraments to be observed by the church during the present age. They serve as visible signs of God’s promises accomplished in Jesus Christ. While important, they are not to be regarded as means of salvation. (Matthew. 28:19; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 11:23; Ephesians 4:5)

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RESURRECTION/LIFE AFTER DEATH

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We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead. The Christian believer is raised to everlasting life and joy with Jesus Christ, while the unrepentant sinner is raised to judgment and everlasting punishment. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 5:28-29; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; Revelation 20:11-15; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54)

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THE CHURCH

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We believe the true church is composed of all people, who through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been born-again by the power of Holy Spirit and are united in the body of Christ of which He is the Head. The church consistently lives in light of its mission to glorify God, proclaim the gospel, and make disciples. 

(1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Galatians 3:26-28: Matthew 28:19-20)

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SANCTITY OF LIFE

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We believe the creation of all human life from first to last, is by the direct act of God and made in his image. Human life is therefore sacred and of immeasurable value in all its forms, including pre-born babies, the elderly, the physically or mentally challenged, and any other stage or condition from conception through natural death. As image-bearers of God and followers of Christ, we are thus called to defend, protect, and highly esteem all human life.  (Genesis 1:18-26, Genesis 5:1-2; Psalm 139:13-16; John 10:10) 

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HUMAN SEXUALITY

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We believe that God has uniquely created us male and female, and we affirm that God’s plan and beautiful design for human sexuality are found within the context of Christian marriage between one man and one woman. We affirm the goodness of sexuality in the context of Christian marriage, the importance of purity, fidelity, and the sacredness of marriage. Furthermore, we affirm that God alone has decreed in his eternal wisdom he who is naturally and biologically male and she who is naturally and biologically female, affirmed from birth and not of any human choice or intervention. Thus, we disagree with any alteration of the divinely created human form to represent something other than what Scripture defines as male and female. (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:23-24; Matthew 19:4-5; Mark 10:6-9, Jude 7).