Statement of Beliefs

The Trinity

We believe there is one God Deut. 6:4 who has revealed Himself not only as the Father of all creation, but He has also revealed Himself through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ Col. 1:15; John. 1:1, 14; and Jude 25 and He continues to reveal Himself through the Holy Spirit John. 15:26. These three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, make up what the Bible calls “The Godhead” Col 2:9. These three are one in substance and purpose, but are different in position and authority John 14:28; 16:7 and they are eternally three different revelations of the one true and living God; therefore, we adhere to what has been called “The Doctrine of the Trinity” Mt. 28:19; Luke 3:22; 1 Pet. 1.2.

The Son

We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, and in His miracles Luke 1:32,35; 1 Pet. 2:22-24. We believe Jesus Christ was both fully human and fully God Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 4:15. He is the expressed image of the invisible God Col. 1:15 and He is to be worshipped not only for what He has done, but for who He is Rev. 5:8-9. We believe Jesus Christ died for our sins John. 1:29, rose from the dead in triumph over Satan, hell and death Phil. 2:9-11; Acts 4.12 and ascended to the right hand of the Father where He makes constant intercession for His chosen ones. We believe He will personally return to the earth in glory and power Mark 16.9; Heb. 7:25; 1 Thess. 3:13.

The Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit was sent into the world to convict of sin and to empower true believers to live a holy and godly life and to be His witnesses John. 16:8; Luke 24:49; Isa. 43:10; Acts 1:8, 2:1-4; 1 Pet. 1:16.

Man

We believe God created the universe by the power of His word and He personally created man in His own image Gen. 1-2. We believe man was tested and fell. Man is spiritually depraved and unable to attain to holiness and righteousness apart from God. The complete salvation of sinful men is dependent upon regeneration by the Holy Spirit Titus 3:5; 2 Thess. 2:13; Gal. 2:16; Jer. 3:23; Isa. 44:19-21; Eph. 2:1-5. We believe salvation is a free gift by God’s grace; one receives God”s gift of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ’s finished work in the cross, and even one”s faith is a gift of God whereby no one can boast in any work of his own Acts 2: 37-38; Eph. 2:1-10; 1 Jn. 1:9. We believe there is a literal hell which is a place reserved for Satan, demons, and all the unregenerate. There is a literal Heaven which is a place designed by God for His children. Isa. 30:33; Mt. 13:30, 37-43; Luke 6:23-26; Rev. 20:10-15.

The Holy Bible

The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs.  The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Ps. 119:11; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).  We believe the Holy Bible clearly demonstrates the nature and purpose of God in His relationship with men and our relationships with each other.  For purposes of Community Christian Fellowship’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy and discipline, our Board of Elders is Community Christian Fellowship’s final authority on the Bible’s application.

Baptism

We believe water baptism by immersion is an act of obedience for the burial, by faith, of the old, unregenerate self and resurrection into a new life as part of God’s family Mt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; 19:1-5; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12. We believe the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a separate and distinct experience from water baptism and is a special provision for life and service Acts 8:15-17, 10:44-47, 11:15-16, 19:2-6.

Responsibilities of the Believer

We believe, as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are to be witnesses, ambassadors, and agents of reconciliation to all those possible both near and far 1 Pet. 2:9-12; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:18-20. We believe, as Gods agents of love, He extends to us a responsibility to help the poor and unfortunate and our lifestyles should reflect that responsibility Mt. 25:31-46; Isa. 10:1-4, 58:3-7; Prov. 14:31. We believe prayer and intercession are an essential part of church responsibility to pray for the nations and wage war against the powers of darkness Mark 11:15-18; Isa. 56:7, 62:2; 2 Cor. 10:1-5.

Communion

We believe in the institution of Communion around the Lord’s table in remembrance of His broken body and shed blood in celebration of His gift of eternal life 1Cor. 10:16, 12:12-13. 

Marriage

We believe that marriage is a holy covenant before God Mal. 2:14 and is to consist only of one man and one woman Matt. 19:5-6.

Unity

We believe in the spiritual unity of the Body of Christ.  Jesus Christ is the head and we are to live, as far as possible, in peace with all men in commitment to a covenanted community lifestyle of unity and oneness as living demonstration of the redemptive love of our Lord  (Eph. 3-6; Jn. 17; 1 Cor. 13). We believe all other points of doctrine are peripheral to the issues of salvation, true faith and godliness and argument, discussion or debate on them will only lead to disunity, fragmentation, and ruin of the hearers. What matters most to God is the preparing of a pure and holy people for His own possession from every tongue, tribe, and nation for residence in Heaven (1 Tim. 6:20-21; 2 Tim. 2:14; Rev. 21:1-7).

Marriage and Sexual Behavior

We believe the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Gen. 2:18-25). We believe that God created marriage and sex, in part, for the purpose of procreation (Gen. 1:28). We believe that marriage between one man and one woman, for life, uniquely reflects Christ’s relationship with His Church (Eph. 5:21-33). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4). We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.

We believe that God designed sexual activity to be physically enjoyable, emotionally satisfying, psychologically fulfilling, and spiritually meaningful because He delights in the joys and pleasures of His creatures (Song of Sol. 4:1-16).

We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, cohabitation, homosexual behavior, rejection of one’s biological sex or use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Matt. 15:18-20; 1 Cor. 6:9-10).

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11).

We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of CCF.

Sexuality

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.

Sanctity of Human Life

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Ps. 139.)