Statement of Faith

We the membership of Elvaston Community Church desire to put forth a clear and concise statement of our beliefs.

A. Scripture

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings.  It is the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of mankind, and the final authority for all Christian faith and life.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Matthew 24:35

2 Peter 1:20-21

John 10:35

B. The Godhead

We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.

Romans 1:20

John 1:1418

Acts 5:3-4

James 1:17

Psalms 139:7-12

John 14:161726

Revelation 19:6

C. Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is God.  From the beginning He was with God; became man; was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.  He died on the cross, a sacrifice for the sins of mankind according to the scriptures.  He arose bodily from the grave, ascended into heaven, where He sits at the right hand of God the Father as our Intercessor and Advocate.

Romans 8:34

John 1:2314

John 14:6

D. Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit was with God from the beginning.  He was sent to man as the great Comforter.  We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and to convict mankind of sin, strengthen the believing sinner, and indwell, guide, and instruct, and empower the believer for Godly service.

John 16:7-812-14

E. Mankind

We believe that God created man and woman in His likeness, free of sin.  However, man and woman chose to sin against God through disobedience. Therefore, all have become separated from God.

Genesis 1:27

Romans 3:235:12

F. Salvation

We believe that God provided, by His grace, the means for reconciliation to Himself by allowing His Son Jesus Christ to be the sacrifice; and that Jesus’ shed blood and resurrection provide the only way of salvation and justification for all who believe.

Romans 5:8-9

I Corinthians 15:20-23

John 14:6

John 3:16-18

G. The Church

We believe that the Church is composed of all persons who are born again through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and the indwelling Spirit of God, called to proclaim the Gospel to the world.

Matthew 16:16-18 and 28:19-20

John 17: 6911

Romans 8:29-30

H. The Return of Christ

We believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, Mary:  died upon a cross; was buried:  rose again on the third day; and ascended into heaven, where He sits on the right hand of God acting as our advocate.  We believe in His personal pre-millennial and imminent return to receive the Church unto Himself.

Acts 1:11

Romans 8:34

I Thessalonians 4:13-18

I. The Ordinances of the Church

We believe in the ordinance of Baptism as a command of Christ, confirmed by His example, that all who believe by faith might be fully identified with Christ. We believe in the ordinance of Communion as an example of identification with Christ’s death and resurrection, and the binding together of the body of Christ. However, these ordinances are not to be considered a means to salvation.

Matthew 3:13-15

I Peter 3:21

Matthew 28:19-20

Colossians 2:12

J. Sanctity of Marriage and Life

We believe that marriage should be between one woman and one man. All other forms of marriage or sexual relationships are condemned by God. We believe that life begins at the moment of conception, and that life is a gift and a blessing of God.

Romans 1:18-32

K. Forgiveness

We believe the forgiveness of all sin, except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, is available to all persons who confess their sin and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Matthew 12:31-32

I John 1:9

Acts 10:43