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The Bible can be trusted
We believe that the Bible alone, and the
Bible in its entirety, is the Word of
God
written and is therefore completely true
and trustworthy as our guide to life (2
Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Matthew
5:17-18; John 10:35; 17:17; Psalm 19:7-11;
Isaiah 40:8).
God is an awesome mystery
We believe that there is only one God, existing
eternally as a fellowship—Father, Son
(Jesus), and Holy Spirit, each fully God
yet each personally distinct from the other
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew
3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
God created us for relationship
We believe that God loves all people, having
created us in his image so that we might
enjoy an intimate relationship with him
and authentic community with each other
(Genesis 1:26-2:25; Acts 17:24-28; Jeremiah
9:23-24; John 17:3; Matthew 22:36-39).
We are basically self-centered
We believe that all people are alienated
from their Creator due to our inborn selfishness
and pride, and are incapable of fixing this
and escaping God's just judgment on our
own (Isaiah 53:6; 59:1-2; Psalm 14:2-3;
Ephesians 2:1-9; 2 Corinthians 5:15).
Jesus Christ came to save us
We believe that Jesus, who is fully God
and fully human, died for our sins and was
raised from the dead so that we can be reconciled
to God as we trust in him alone to save
us (Colossians 1:13-22; Romans 5:1-11; 10:9-13;
1 Peter 2:24-25; 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:3-6).
Salvation is more than personal
We believe that as we turn from our sins
and trust in Christ, we are not only forgiven,
but adopted into God's wonderfully diverse
family, in which we are to follow Jesus
together (John 1:12-13; Acts 2:38-47; Titus
2:14; Revelation 5:9; Colossians 3:11-17).
God's Spirit empowers us for living
We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts
us of sin and gives us new life in Christ,
indwelling us and empowering us to live
lives of compassionate service and bold
witness (John 14:16-17; 16:7-8; Titus 3:3-7;
1 Corinthians 3:16; 12:7; Galatians 5:16-25;
Acts 1:8).
The best (or worst) is yet to come
We believe that Jesus Christ will someday
return to earth to judge the world with
justice and receive those trusting in him
alone for salvation to be with him forever
(Acts 17:31; Hebrews 9:27-28; 1 Thessalonians
4:13-18; 2 Peter 3:3-13; Revelation 22:12-13).
This is a brief summary of the story of
the Christian faith as it is revealed in
Scripture (to read the Bible passages referenced
above, go to www.biblegateway.com,
and simply type in the reference). If you
would like to know more about some of the
historic beliefs of authentic Christianity,
check out the following ancient creeds and
contemporary statements of faith—all
of which represent what we believe at Encounter
and BranchCreek Community Church (the word
"creed," by the way, is from the Latin credo,
which simply means, "I believe").
- The Apostles'
Creed (third-fourth centuries A.D.)
- The Nicene Creed
(A.D. 325; revised at Constantinople A.D.
381)
- The Calcedonian
Creed (A.D. 451)
- The Lausanne
Covenant (1974)
- The Chicago Statement
on Biblical Inerrancy (1978)
- The Gospel of Jesus
Christ: An Evangelical Celebration (1999)
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