Beliefs

Convictions are at the heart of Hope Church - we believe God has revealed truth about Himself, us, our world and how we should live.  In a changing world, we embrace change - but also feel the Bible is God's Word - a solid rock in precarious times.  At Hope Church we seek to model and share the following core truths from the Bible:

About The Bible  We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life. (II Peter 1:21; II Timothy 3:15-16; Colossians 3:16)

About God   We believe in one God, creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1; John 4:24; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 19:26; I John 3:20; Matthew 28:19)

About Jesus Christ   We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He now is our High Priest and Advocate. ( Matthew 1:23; John 1:14; I Peter 3:18; I Corinthians 15:3,4; II Timothy 2:8; Acts 1:9; Hebrews 8:1; 7:25)

About The Holy Spirit   We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age, to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service.
(I Corinthians 12:4-11; II Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:7-12)

About Mankind   We believe that man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is therefore lost and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained. (Genesis 1:26, 27; 3:1-6; Isaiah 53:6; John 3:3; Romans 3:22, 23; 5:12-15; Ephesians 1:3, 12)

About Salvation   We believe that the shed blood of Jesus and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus are born of the Holy Spirit, and thus become children of God.
(Romans 5:8-10; II Corinthians 5:21; John 1:12, 13; I John 2:20, 27; 3:5-9; Ephesians 1:13, 14; 4:30)

About Sacrements   We believe that the Lord’s Supper (Communion) and water Baptism are ordinances to be observed by the Church during this present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation. (Luke 22:19; I Corinthians 11:25, 26; Matthew 28:19, 20; Romans 6:3, 4; Acts 2:38, 41, 42; 18:8 I Corinthians 11:23-26)

About The Universal Church   We believe that the true Church is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united in the body of Christ of which He is the head. (Acts 2:47; Ephesians 1:22, 23; John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Romans 8:38, 39; I Corinthians 1:4- 8; I Peter 1:5; I Corinthians 3:11-15; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11-15; I Corinthians 12:12-14, 27; Romans 8:9)

About The Local Church   We believe that only those who are thus members of the true Church shall be eligible for membership in the local church. (I Corinthians 1:2; Colossians 4:15- 16; Romans 14:1)

About Church Governance   We believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church, and that every local Church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs. (Colossians 1:18; Acts 13:1-3)

About The End of The World   We believe in the personal and pre-millennial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this “Blessed Hope” has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. (John 14:3; Matthews 24:36; Titus 2:13; I Joh 2:28; 3:2, 3; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Zechariah 14:4-11; Revelation 19:11- 16; 20:1-6; I Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10)

About Heaven & Hell   We believe that God is able and faithful to keep forever safe those who have trusted Jesus Christ for their salvation, and in the eternal judgment of all who reject our Lord Jesus Christ. (John 10:28).

About Human Effort   That salvation is a free gift and is not earned or kept by the believer.
(John 4:10; Revelation 22:17; Philippians 2:8, 9; Isaiah 55:1; Romans 6:23)   That the true believer is eternally secure as a result of the perfect work of Christ. Nothing in the life of the believer following his salvation adds in the smallest degree to his title, to God’s favor or to his perfect security. Faith alone confers standing in God’s sight. (John 10:28; John 1:12; I Peter 4:5; Romans 5:1, 2; John 3:16; I John 5:13; Ephesians 1:6; I John 3:2; Colossians 2:10; Romans 8:1)