|
|
 |
| Guest Information / What We Believe |
"Exploring Life's Most Perplexing Issues"
Click here to download (2.7 mb)
If you've ever wondered where you came from or where you are going, this booklet is for you. Discover biblically-based answers to a few of life's most challenging questions.
Preamble
At Traders Point Christian Church, we believe the Bible is the only adequate guide for the faith and practice of Christians. We call people to learn and affirm the Scriptures in their entirety. We have no other creed. The following Statement of Belief is not a condition of membership. Rather, it represents a consensus of what our Elders and staff ministers believe the Scriptures teach on key doctrinal issues. It is the result of months of study, discussion, and prayer. It is designed to help you become better acquainted with the preaching and teaching emphases you are likely to encounter at Traders Point.
The Scriptures (The Bible)
The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are inspired by God, without error in the original writings, and the complete Divine standard for all Christian faith and life.
(See Psalm 119:9-16; 2 Timothy 3:16&17)
God
God is the creator and sustainer of everything that exists. He is one God manifesting Himself in three persons—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These have the same nature, are co-equal and co-existent.
(See Genesis 1 & 2; John 14:15-21; Colossians 1:15-20)
Jesus Christ
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He is truly God and truly Man, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He was sinless, yet He gave His life for the sins of the world by dying on the cross in accordance with the Scriptures. He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into Heaven, sits at the right hand of God, and is our great High Priest and Advocate. He alone can restore the relationship of mankind to God. (See
Isaiah 53; Matthew 1:18-25; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Hebrews 1:1-4)
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is fully God, the Third Person of the Trinity. He is the Spirit of God and Christ, filling, comforting, and guiding those who love and are obedient to Jesus Christ.
(See John 14:15-21; 1 John 2:1-6)
Sin
Man is created in the image and likeness of God. The first man, Adam, rebelled against God, fell from a right relationship with Him, and in so doing, introduced sin and death into the world. All human beings share Adam’s sinful, fallen nature.
(See Genesis 3:13-17; Romans 5:12-13; 1 Corinthians 15:22)
Salvation
God sent Jesus Christ to save mankind from his sins and restore his relationship with God. Jesus was sacrificed on the cross, died, and was resurrected, atoning for the sins of all who believe in Him. Man can do nothing to earn his salvation. It is grace – a free gift of God through faith.
(See Romans 3:10-24; Ephesians 2:1-10)
Baptism
Major portions of the New Testament were dedicated to teaching the mode, purpose, and spiritual implications of baptism. Every person who became a Christian in the New Testament was baptized.
Baptism is integral to becoming a follower of Christ. In baptism, a believer participates in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is raised to walk with Him in a new kind of life, is freed from bondage to sin and death, and is empowered to walk in God’s grace.
Faith, repentance, and public confession of Christ precede baptism, all of which are directly linked to the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(See Matthew 28:19; John 3:23; Acts 2:38, 8:38, 22:16; Romans 6:1-14; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12)
The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is practiced weekly, according to the example of the New Testament church. Physically, it consists of unleavened bread and grape juice. Corporately, it is open to all believers. The purpose of The Lord’s Supper is three-fold: to remind the church of the New Covenant, to proclaim Christ’s death until He comes, and to promote honest self-examination within the Church.
(See Acts 2:46; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34)
The Church
The Church consists of all people who believe and obey Jesus Christ. It is the Body of Christ, the Temple of the Holy Spirit, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy people who have been regenerated in heart and mind. The purpose of the church is to glorify Jesus Christ through worship, Bible teaching, service, discipleship, and sharing Christ with others.
(See 1 Corinthians 6:15-20; Ephesians 5:18-21; 1 Peter 2:1-6)
Second Coming of Jesus Christ
The return of Jesus Christ is a “Blessed Hope” to be eagerly anticipated. It gives Christians the courage to pray without ceasing, to work with energy, to expose falsehood, and to strive for justice and peace. (Godly men and women hold a number of views concerning the return of Jesus Christ. These are matters of scriptural interpretation and should not be used as a test of faith or fellowship.)
(See 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13, 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28)
The Eternal State
God will raise all people from the dead bodily and judge them. Those who have trusted Christ spend eternity in Heaven. Those who have rejected Him spend eternity in Hell.
(See 1 Corinthians 15:20-28; Hebrews 9:27-28; Revelation 21:6-8)
Questions? Contact the church office at info@tpcc.org or 317.769.5557. |
|
|
