Our Beliefs
MISSION STATEMENT
Helping spiritually seeking people on their
journey toward full devotion to Christ
STATEMENT OF FAITH
What We Believe
The SCF statement of faith is not new or innovative but has its roots in 2000 years of historical Christianity. These doctrines, or "core beliefs", are in the center of evangelical theology and are not speculative, evolving or tradition-based. We try not to wander far from these core beliefs of the Bible, or engage in arguments over the many divergent views on the more obscure doctrines or teachings found in the Bible. We hope that in these other areas a spirit of love would prevail so that Christ followers can come to their own view of these sometimes-difficult areas.
The Essentials We Believe
1. About the Bible: We believe that the 66 books of the Holy Bible are true and without error in the original manuscripts. We believe that the Bible in its entirety, the Old and New Testaments, originated with God, and that human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living because the Bible is reliable and "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).
2. About God: We believe that there is one God and that He has revealed Himself not only as the Father of all creation, but also through His only begotten Son, Jesus. And He continues to reveal Himself through His Holy Spirit. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit make up what the Bible calls "The Godhead", and we believe that the full comprehension of this wonderful union is a mystery. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one in substance and purpose, but are different in position and authority. We do not believe that the Father and the Son are the same person, or that the Holy Spirit is just the force of God, for we see that the Bible makes clear distinctions between each of them, and they are eternally three different, wonderful revelations of the one true and living God. Therefore, we adhere with all our hearts to what Bible historians have called, "The Doctrine of the Trinity."
3. About Jesus Christ: We believe that Jesus was both fully human and fully God. That He is the "visible image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15, JBP). That He is to be worshiped, praised and adored (along with the Father and Holy Spirit) not only for what He has done, but also for who He is—the "Son of God" and "God the Son". Jesus, being in the very image and equal to the eternal God, took on the form of a man when He was born to a virgin. He completely fulfilled all righteousness and the law. He was sorely tempted, but never once yielded and never sinned. Humanity rejected Him and therefore rejected His Father and the forgiveness His Father offered. Jesus suffered a cruel and horrible death by crucifixion on a cross and thus became the great sacrifice of God "to take away the sins of the world" (John 1:29). He rose from the tomb on the third day in triumph over Satan, hell and death, winning the position and name above all others so that no one can be saved by any other way or by any other name other than Jesus. He physically appeared to many people during the 40 days after his resurrection, including over 500 eyewitnesses at once, and then ascended to the right hand of the Father where he now continuously prays for His own.
4. About the Holy Spirit: We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. He was sent into the world to enlighten the minds of sinners, awakening in them recognition of their need for a Savior and then regenerating them. We believe that the Holy Spirit permanently indwells every believer at the point of salvation, and empowers them to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit also gives to each believer spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ, the Church, for the purpose of bringing Glory to God. The marks of an authentic believer submitted to the Holy Spirit are holiness, obedience and love.
5. About Salvation: We believe people are made in the image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's affection, and the pinnacle of His creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This "sin" separates people from God and is the root cause of many of the problems we face in life. The penalty for our sin is eternal separation from God. We believe that Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sin, and by this to give us eternal life. This salvation is a free gift by God's grace. (But this gift, although free, is not cheap— for it cost God the life of His own beloved son.) A person is restored to a relationship with God, or, "saved", only by faith in Jesus' finished work on the cross, and if this faith is real, it will produce repentance—which is a change of mind concerning sin and everything not pleasing to God—that results in a total change of actions and deeds. We believe that repentance is not optional, but necessary proof that one has true biblical faith.
6. About Eternity: We believe that death is final and that it seals the destiny of each person. For all of humanity there will be a resurrection of the body into the spiritual world. We also believe that Jesus Christ will physically return to the earth to consummate human history and execute the eternal plan of God. When he comes, the eternal destiny of all humans will be decided. We will either exist eternally separated from God, because of sin, or eternally with God through His forgiveness and salvation.
7. About the church: We believe that the church is the body of Christ and is the means by which He intends to reach a world without hope. There is one true church universal, comprised of all those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The Scripture commands believers to gather together to devote themselves to worship, and prayer, to the teaching of the Word, and to the observance of baptism and Communion. It also commands that we gather for fellowship and service to the body through the development and use of talents and gifts, and through outreach to the world. All of these were established by Jesus Christ. Wherever God's people meet regularly in obedience to this command, there is the local expression of the church. Under the watchful care of elders and other supportive leadership, its members are to work together in love and unity, intent on the one ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.
8. About faith and practice: Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. This church recognizes that it cannot bind the conscience of individual members in areas where Scripture is silent. Rather, each believer is to be led in those areas by the Lord, to whom he or she alone is ultimately responsible. Finally, we believe the Statement of Faith to be an accurate summary of what Scripture teaches. All members of SCF shall refrain from advocating doctrines that are not included in the Statement of Faith, in such a way as to cause dissension. We value the well-being of Christ's body above our desire for self-expression; though no authority has a right to police our thoughts, we agree not to speak with unwarranted conviction when our opinions pertain to non-Biblical matters or when our views differ from this Statement of Faith.
SEVEN CORE VALUES
1. We value that God passionately and irrevocably loves all people. Therefore, we seek to demonstrate the hope found in Jesus Christ's life, death and resurrection. - John 3:16, 15:13; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8
2. We value that God's Word is the ultimate authority for our lives. Therefore, we seek to communicate its truths in practical and relevant ways. – John 1:1,18; 2 Tim. 3:16;
Heb. 4:12
3. We value Jesus' command to go and make disciples. Therefore we are a missional community striving to develop authentic relationships with outward focus. – Matt. 28:19-20
4. We value that Jesus came to offer a new life filled with hope and purpose. Therefore, we seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit and allow Him into every aspect of our lives. - John 7:37-39; 10:10; Gal. 5:16
5. We value that the liberating grace of God is available to all people. Therefore, we seek to live out forgiveness and acceptance in a safe, supportive, and loving community. – Matt. 11:28; Eph. 2:8-9; 1 John 1:9; Heb. 12:14
6. We value that spiritual growth is nurtured through commitments to Jesus Christ and the SCF community. Therefore, we seek to encourage commitments in the areas of Learning about God and His Kingdom, Relating with others on the journey, and Serving the people around us. – Jos. 24:15; Ps. 1; Acts 2:44-47; Rom. 12:1-2
7. We value a relentless pursuit of a Holy and loving God. Therefore, we seek to cultivate a loving heart for God and others. - Isaiah 6:3; Philippians 2:2; Jeremiah 29:12-14; Eph. 5:6; Romans 12:1,9
