Essentials
The following statements represent our understanding of biblical Christian truths and form the foundation of all we do and teach. Because these are essential Christian beliefs, all members of Mission Community Church should be able to affirm them.
The Bible
We believe the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments were written by human authors under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so that their words accurately represent the Word of God (2 Peter 1:19-21). The Bible is without error, trustworthy in all it teaches and authoritative in all it commands (Prov. 30:5). In the Bible, God reveals Himself to us and teaches us to live in a way that glorifies Him (John 20:31).
2 Timothy 3:16–17 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
God
We believe that there is one God who has always existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19). The three persons of the Trinity share the same divine nature and are equally deserving of worship and praise. God sustains and rules over all things in His perfect power, wisdom, and love (Heb. 1:2-3).
2 Corinthians 13:14 - The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Creation
God created all things from nothing, and continues to sustain them through His power and will (Col. 1:16-17). According to God’s original design, all of creation was good and without sin. Humanity - both male and female - was uniquely created in the image of God and given authority to care for the rest of creation. As image-bearers, all people have intrinsic dignity and value and are worthy of respect and compassion (Gen. 1:26-27).
Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Sin
We believe that sin entered the world when Adam and Eve succumbed to the temptation of Satan (Gen. 3:6-7). This sin fractured God’s designs and introduced futility, discord, and death. All mankind has been born into the effects of that original sin (Rom. 5:12). Apart from Christ, our corrupt nature is opposed to God and leads us inevitably into further sin.
Romans 8:7 - For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
The Gospel
We believe that Jesus is the Son of God, who took on flesh to live as a human (John 1:14). He lived a life of perfect obedience and holiness, making Him a perfect sacrifice. On the cross, He died to pay the penalty for the sins of His people. He rose again after three days, demonstrating His victory over sin and death. Those who trust in Him are saved from their sins and immediately enter into the Kingdom of God (Col. 1:13-14).
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 - For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
Salvation
We believe that those who place their faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord are saved from their sins (Rom. 10:9). Believers experience forgiveness for their sins and are declared holy and accepted by God, on account of Christ’s righteousness. Believers are also given a new nature that is no longer in bondage to sin (Gal. 2:20). Although salvation is by grace through faith, Christians are called to work out their salvation by putting sin to death and growing in Christlikeness (Phil. 2:12).
Romans 3:23–24 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
God’s Kingdom
We believe that those who place their faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord are welcomed into His kingdom (John 3:5). Jesus reigns as a perfect and righteous King in the unseen, spiritual realm (Heb. 12:2). We are called to live as citizens of this unseen Kingdom and work by the power of the Holy Spirit to make it a reality on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:10 - Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
The Church
We believe that the universal church is made up of all those who have trusted in Jesus as Savior and follow him as Lord. The church is meant to glorify God and continue the ministry of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit, especially by making disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). God intends for church to be experienced in the context of a local congregation. The local church is a body of believers that gathers regularly for prayer and worship, preaches the Bible, practices discipline, and observes the ordinances (Acts 2:42-47).
1 Corinthians 12:27 - Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Ordinances
We believe that the New Testament teaches two ordinances: Baptism and Communion (1 Cor. 11:23-26). Ordinances are symbolic acts of remembrance instituted or ordained by Jesus. There is no blessing inherent in the ordinances; they do not save us and do not, on their own, convey grace or blessing into our lives. However, when we participate with genuine faith, the Holy Spirit uses the ordinances to help us grow in spiritual maturity.
Acts 2:38 - And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
The Future
We believe that Jesus will return to finish the work He began during His earthly ministry (1 Thess. 4:16-17). He will defeat the devil once and for all and restore all things that are and have been under the curse of sin and death. He will judge the living and the dead, assigning people to their eternal destinies (Matt. 25:31-46). Unbelievers will experience eternal punishment, forever separated from the goodness of God’s presence. Believers will reign with Jesus forever in the new heavens and the new earth.
Revelation 11:15 - Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world
has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
Distinctives
The following statements express our position on doctrines that are important, but not essential. Faithful Christians and Gospel-teaching churches may hold various positions regarding these doctrines. Our beliefs in these areas are part of what makes us distinct. We do not require that members affirm these positions. However, members should understand that these positions will inform the things we teach and the ways we conduct ministry. Furthermore, no member should teach in a way that contradicts these positions or be divisive over them.
Word and Spirit
We believe it is not only possible to value both the Word and Spirit, but it is imperative that we do so. We are passionate about teaching God's truth from His Word, but at the same time, we desire to experience the Person of the Holy Spirit in tangible ways. The Holy Spirit is not just a doctrine to be studied, but a Person to love, worship, and submit to. As we look to the Scriptures, we believe that all the gifts and ministry of the Holy Spirit are intended to be experienced today in the same manner as they were in the early church. At the same time, the Scriptures teach us to use the gifts in an orderly way. We are excited to continue developing an environment in our church, where we can be anchored in the Word, but free in the Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 1:4–5 - For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word,
but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.
Revival
We believe that God desires to do amazing things in and through the church. We boldly pray that revival would come to our church and our city would be transformed. We pray not only that the lost would be saved, but that all Christians would understand and experience the fullness of what Jesus has purchased for them. Furthermore, we believe that revival is something that should be experienced in the individual hearts of believers on a continual basis through regular encounters with God.
Ephesians 3:20–21 - Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Worship
We believe that chains are broken and lives are changed as we worship God. Worship draws us into God’s presence, connecting our hearts with His. When we are near the Father, we become more like Him (2 Cor 3:18). God commands us to worship Him for our benefit and transformation.
Psalm 95:6 - Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
Spiritual Gifts
We believe that all the spiritual gifts experienced in the New Testament continue to be active today (1 Cor. 12:4-11) and that every believer has been given a spiritual gift(s) for the purpose of building up the body. These gifts should be prayerfully desired and cultivated and can be used to build up the church and give evidence to the power of the gospel.
1 Corinthians 14:1 - Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
Five-Fold Ministry
We believe that Jesus continues to give gifts to the church in the form of apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers to build up the local church by equipping the members to do the work of ministry. Jesus embodied all five of these gifts perfectly, and we believe the church needs all five if they are going to represent Him well to the world. Because of this, we see each gift as significant and each one should be given a voice and a platform to bless and impact the church.
Ephesians 4:11–12 - And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
Water Baptism
We believe that water baptism is intended for believers who have already placed their faith in Jesus. We practice baptism by immersion, which symbolizes a believer’s union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.
Romans 6:4 - We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was
raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
We believe that every believer receives the Holy Spirit upon salvation. We also believe we can always receive more of the Holy Spirit by simply asking our heavenly Father (Luke 11:13). Scripture commands us to be continually filled (Eph. 5:18) with the Holy Spirit, and we believe that Christians should continually seek to have fresh encounters, fillings, and refreshment from the Holy Spirit, commonly referred to as the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Simply put, we believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is when a person, who is already a believer, receives extraordinary spiritual power for the purpose of Christ-exalting ministry and deeper intimacy with the Father.
Ephesians 5:18 - And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
Children
We believe that children can have meaningful encounters with God and play a significant role in the life of the church. Children who trust in Jesus do not receive a “junior” Holy Spirit. There is much we can learn from their childlike faith (Luke 18:17), and their participation at church is encouraged and valued.
Matthew 19:14 - But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Membership
We believe that God’s intention for his people is that they would be committed, participating members of a local church. He did not design the Christian life to be lived in isolation. God uses Christian community to change lives and this kind of community living requires intentional effort and commitment. Membership in a local church provides the context for community to flourish.
Hebrews 10:24 –25 - And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together,
as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.