What We Believe

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." - A.W. Tozer

Core Beliefs

The following are the core beliefs of Faith Chapel. These beliefs are based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of Scripture.

God

There is one eternally existing God who has three distinct "persons": God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and everywhere present all at the same time. He is the creator of all that exists, both visible and invisible (Genesis 1:1). God is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, justice, and mercy. He is unchangeable and is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8).

Revelation

God reveals himself to us through natural and special revelation. Natural revelation showcases God's divine nature and his eternal powers in creation (Romans 1:20). Special revelations of God include God the Son, Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15); God the Holy Spirit, who guides us into the truth (John 16:13); and the holy scriptures (1 Peter 3:15).

Sin & Grace

We believe that all human beings are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26) but fall short of living up to God's standard (Romans 3:23). We affirm that God is pursuing reconciliation with all of us through the sacrificial death of God the Son, Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18). This reconciliation is accomplished only by God's grace through our faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8).

Faith

Our response to the sacrificial death of Jesus is adoration and worship of God. We do this by submitting to God as the true king of our lives and partnering with him to shine his light in this world (2 Corinthians 4:7). We are not able to accomplish this on our own but with God the Holy Spirit living inside of us (Luke 24:49).

The Church

The Church is a group of believers who are the visible body of Christ  (1 Corinthians 12:27), sent into the world to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).

Resurrection

We believe in the resurrection of the dead. Jesus Christ was risen from the grave after his sacrificial death on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:4). Jesus Christ is the first fruit of this resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:23) but he isn't the only one. Jesus Christ is returning one day to judge both the living and the dead (Acts 10:42) and to usher in the fullness of God's kingdom on earth (Revelation 21:1-3) where all believers will dwell with him eternally.



Doctrine

Faith Chapel is a church in the Wesleyan (Arminian) tradition of the universal Christian church that holds the following beliefs. These beliefs define the doctrine of this church. We recognize that understanding scripture is complex and, therefore, we expect that we will not agree all the time on our beliefs. We do believe, however, there are certain essential elements of the Christian faith that we should have uniform agreement on. We regard these statements as essential beliefs of the Christian faith but not all that are outlined are uniform beliefs across the universal church. We encourage discussion and learning from each other on the nonessential elements because we believe this will foster stronger connections between you and others, when done with mutual respect, and will also strengthen your own faith in God. We do not expect all people to believe every facet of these statements and all people are welcome, regardless of believing these statements or not, as a part of our community. These statements provide a succinct starting place, which the pastoral leadership teaches from.

Trinity

We believe the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit1 are uniquely one essence (or being)2 and three persons.3 God is one,4 yet Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are also distinct.The trinitarian God is love,6 eternal,7 all-knowing,8 all-powerful,9and everywhere present.10

Father

We believe in the Father as a member of the triune God.11 He is the creator of heaven and earth,12 who through submission in the Trinity has authority over Son and Spirit.13
 

Son

We believe in Jesus Christ as a member of the triune God.14 He is full of grace and truth15 and is the way, truth, and life.16 He is God’s only son,17 our Lord,18 who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,19 born of the virgin Mary,20 was crucified, died, and buried,21 on the third day he rose again conquering sin and death,22 he ascended into heaven,23 is seated at the right hand of the Father,24 and will come again to judge the living and the dead25
  

Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit as a member of the triune God.26 He dwells in all believers27 and equips believers with power to do the works God has set before us.28 He is our helper and comforter29 who remakes believers into a new creation by changing our nature to be more in alignment with Christ.30
  

Bible

We believe the Bible is the only God-inspired revelation of himself that equips followers of Jesus for the works God has prepared for them.31 Scripture, therefore, is vital in our daily study and in our gatherings to teach, correct, rebuke, and train in righteousness.32 We believe the Bible is without error in its original manuscripts.  

Humankind

We believe all people are knit together by God.33 All human beings, therefore, are valuable because God creates us in his image and likeness.34 We, therefore, need to act in ways that showcase God’s special care and love of our fellow human beings.35  

Sin

We believe God is the architect of all things including the knowledge of right and wrong and has revealed his design for our lives in scripture. We believe all people, of their own free will, miss God’s perfect standard for our lives.36 We are hopelessly lost without God because of this rebellion.37 Human beings cannot redeem themselves from this depravity,38 but God has a plan of salvation.39

Salvation

We believe that salvation is a gift (grace) from God.40 Humans are guilty before God and deserve his wrath41 because we all sin and fall short of the standard God set.42 But God, in his perfect love,43 sent Jesus, as fully God and fully man, to earth to take our place and to bear the penalty that we owe for our sin.44 He did this by dying on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice to bring reconciliation and right relationship between God and humans.45 Human beings need to respond to this saving grace of God by accepting Christ as Savior and believing/trusting in Jesus in their mind and heart,46 which the Holy Spirit aides us in doing.

Hope

We believe the hope of the world is Jesus Christ.47 By his crucifixion and resurrection, he has defeated sin and death for us. When he comes for the second time, he will unite all believers and the new heaven and new earth where believers will spend eternity with the triune God.48

Mercy & Grace

We believe God gives an abundance of grace and mercy, which is His unearned favor every day to every part of his creation. He bestows mercy (pity/compassion) on those who do not love and follow Him.49 He grants grace (unearned favor) to those who rely on him every day to live more like Jesus.50 Mercy takes us to the path of forgiveness, while grace leads us to reconciliation with God. Because of God’s mercy and grace, we are enabled to extend mercy and grace to one another.

Church

The universal church is people of all time periods who have been baptized by the Holy Spirit.51 As a local church, Faith Chapel is a congregation of these believers who desire to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ, fellowship with one another, pray for one another, and make Jesus known in the world.52 The people of God are to be self-denying people53 who have an attitude to bless people54 by thinking of others as more important than themselves.55
 

Marriage

We believe the covenant of marriage is designed by God to include one man and one woman.56 We believe the God-given purpose of human sexuality is limited by God to this monogamous relationship.57

Believer Baptism

Believer Baptism: We believe there is a supernatural and natural element of baptism.58 The supernatural aspect is God’s act of sending the Holy Spirit to live in every believer.59 This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The natural element of baptism is an individual’s choice to be baptized, which means to come under water as a symbol of dying to oneself and coming out of the water as a new creation, in symbolism of Christ’s death and resurrection.60 This act of physical baptism by sprinkling, pouring or immersion is a way to publicly identify as a follower of Christ.61 

Child Dedication

We believe the onus of godly teaching and instruction is the job of the parents.62 The whole church has the job of walking alongside parents in living our Christ-like characteristics so children will see what faith in action looks like. We confirm this commitment by offering families the opportunity to dedicate their children.63This is so families and the whole church can commit to each individual child to do all in our power to see that they know the love of God and, when the time is appropriate, respond favorably.64 The form of this service will be decided between the pastor and parents. 

Communion

We believe that communion is ordained by Jesus as an act his followers are supposed to take part in.65 The ceremony consists of consuming bread as a symbol of his body66 and consuming juice as a symbol of his blood.67 We believe by participating in this act with fellow believers68 we remember his death on the cross69 and reflect on our sinful nature that drove Christ to the cross.70 Our response to this reflection is confession and repentance, therefore, we allow all believers of Christ in our midst to participate.
 1Matthew 28:19
2Genesis 1:26-27
3Genesis 1:1-2
4Deuteronomy 4:35-39, Deuteronomy 6:4, 1 Kings 8:60, Isaiah 45:14-22, Isaiah 46:9, 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, Ephesians 4:3-6, James 2:19
5Genesis 19:24, Isaiah 48:16, Isaiah 59:20-21, Isaiah 63:9-10, Matthew 3:16-17, 2 Corinthians 13:14
61 John 4:8
7Deuteronomy 33:27, Romans 16:26, 1 Timothy 6:16, Hebrews 9:14
81 Samuel 23:11-12, Matthew 10:29-30, Revelation 20:12
9Genesis 1:1-31, Exodus 14:21
10John 1:48, Psalm 139:7-12
11Exodus 3:14-16, Matthew 6:9, Luke 23:34, Ephesians 1:2-3
12Genesis 1:1-31, Psalm 8:3, Psalm 139:13-14, Ephesians 1:4
13Joel 2:28-29, Matthew 26:38-39, Mark 16:9, John 1:18, John 14:26, John 15:26, Acts 2:33, Acts 7:55-56, Romans 8:34, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Peter 3:22, Revelation 5:7
14Matthew 9:4, Matthew 28:19, Mark 2:10, John 1:3, John 12:9, Colossians 1:17, Revelation 22:12-13
15John 1:14, John 1:17, Colossians 1:6, 2 John 1:3
16John 14:6
17Matthew 8:29, Luke 1:30-35, John 5:18, Luke 22:70-71, John 1:49, Romans 1:4, 1 Corinthians 1:9, Hebrews 4:14, 1 John 5:20
18Matthew 17:4, Matthew 20:30, Luke 5:12, John 11:21, Acts 1:21, Acts 10:36, Romans 1:4, James 2:1, 1 Peter 1:3, 2 Peter 1:11, Jude 1:25
19Matthew 1:18, Matthew 1:20, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:35-36
20Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:24-25, Luke 1:26-27
21Isaiah 53:3-9, Matthew 27:35, Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:15, Mark 15:27, Luke 23:20-23, Luke 23:46, John 19:15-16, John 19:16-18, John 19:38-42, Acts 2:23, Acts 4:10, Romans 8:34, 1 Corinthians 2:2, 1 Thessalonians 4:14, Hebrews 13:12, 1 Peter 3:18-19
22Matthew 28:5-10, Mark 16:5-6, Luke 24:33-34, Luke 24:36-42, John 20:17-18, John 20:20, John 20:26-27, Acts 4:10, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 1 Corinthians 15:7, 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 1 Corinthians 15:56-57, Revelation 1:18
23Luke 24:51, John 3:13, Acts 1:9-11, Acts 7:56, Ephesians 4:8-10,
24Luke 22:69, Acts 2:33, Acts 7:56, Romans 8:34, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 1:3, 1 Peter 3:22,
25Acts 10:42, 2 Timothy 4:1, 1 Peter 4:5
26Genesis 1:2, Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:4, Acts 8:39, Jude 1:20
27John 14:17, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Ephesians 1:13, 2 Timothy 1:14
28Exodus 31:3, 1 Samuel 11:6, Joel 2:28, John 14:26, Acts 6:10, 1 Corinthians 12:3-11, Ephesians 3:5
29John 14:16, John 14:26
30Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:16-26, Galatians 6:15-16
31Exodus 17:14, Ezekiel 24:2, 1 Corinthians 2:13, Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 3:15-16, Revelation 1:1, Revelation 2:1
32Matthew 12:3-5, Matthew 12:40, Acts 7, Acts 17:2, Hebrews 11
33Psalm 139:13
34Genesis 1:26-28, Genesis 1:31, Psalm 8:3-8, Romans 5:6, Hebrews 2:6-8,
35Micah 6:8, Matthew 7:12, Luke 10:27, Romans 13:8
36Genesis 3:4-6, Exodus 20:1-17, Leviticus 4:1-3, 2 Samuel 12:7-15, Matthew 23:23, Romans 1:23-32, Romans 3:23
37Matthew 9:11-13, Luke 19:10
38Matthew 19:23-26
39Ezekiel 34:12, Amos 3:12, Micah 4:10, John 10:27-29, 2 Timothy 4:17-18, 2 Peter 2:9
40Psalm 130:8, Hosea 2:14-23, Romans 3:24, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, Ephesians 2:5-8, Hebrews 2:9
41Job 21:20, Jeremiah 21:12, Ezekiel 8:18, Ezekiel 24:13, Romans 1:18
42Genesis 3:23, Leviticus 5:18, Leviticus 16:2, Hosea 1:2 Romans 3:23, Romans 5:10, 12, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:1
43John 3:16
44Leviticus 16:22, Isaiah 53:4-5, Isaiah 59:20, Mark 10:45, Romans 3:25-26, Romans 5:6-8, Romans 5:11, Romans 5:17, Galatians 3:13, Colossians 2:13, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 2:17, 1 Peter 3:18, 1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:10
45Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:27, Luke 23:33, John 19:17-18, John 19:30, Romans 5:9-10, Galatians 6:14, Revelation 5:9-10
46Matthew 19:28-29, John 3:16, Romans 10:9, Ephesians 2:8-9
471 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Timothy 1:1, Titus 2:13
48Isaiah 65-17-25, Isaiah 66:22-23, John 14:2-3, 1 Corinthians 15:20, 1 Corinthians 15:42, 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 1:13, Revelation 21:1-4, Revelation 22:1-5, Revelation 22:7
49Exodus 34:6, Deuteronomy 4:31, Psalm 145:8-9, Hosea 2:14-15, Matthew 5:45, Matthew 6:30, Luke 12:6, Romans 5:8, 2 Peter 3:9
50Genesis 15:6, John 3:16, Acts 10:44-45, Galatians 3:2, Ephesians 2:4-9, John 17:17, Romans 6:22, Romans 12:2, Philippians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 10:10
51Matthew 27:52, Acts 9:13, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Colossians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 3:13,
52Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:42, Acts 3:4-10, Acts 14:22, Acts 20:7-12, 1 Corinthians 10:16, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Galatians 6:2, Ephesians 4:11-12, 2 Peter 3:15,
532 Chronicles 714, Ezekiel 33:11, Luke 9:23, Acts 2:38, Romans 1:28-32, Galatians 5:19-22
54Acts 2:45, Acts 4:34-37, 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 2 Corinthians 9:1-2, 13
55Ephesians 4:1-3, Philippians 2:3, 1 Peter 5:5
56Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:7, Ephesians 5:22-33,
57Exodus 20:14, Leviticus 18:6-23, Isaiah 62:5, Hosea 2:5, Malachi 2:14, Matthew 15:19, 1 Timothy 5:14, Hebrews 13:4
58Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, John 1:33, Acts 1:5, Acts 10:44-48,
59Acts 1:5, Acts 2:2-4, Acts 9:17, Acts 11:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 4:5
60Acts 2:38, Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12-13, Acts 8:38, Acts 16:15, Acts 19:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Colossians 2:12
61Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:37-39, Acts 16:14-15, Acts 16:33-34
62Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4, 2 Timothy 1:5
631 Samuel 1:28, Luke 2:22
641 Samuel 3:7-10
65Luke 22:9, 1 Corinthians 11:24-27
66Matthew 26:26, Mark 14:22, Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 10:16, 1 Corinthians 11:24
67Matthew 26:27-28, Mark 14:23-24, Luke 22:20, 1 Corinthians 10:16, 1 Corinthians 11:25
681 Corinthians 11:33
691 Corinthians 11:26
701 Corinthians 11:27-32

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