Our Beliefs
The areas below are the “biggies” of our beliefs. They’re the non-negotiables … the essentials … the foundation of our church. We know there’s other important stuff out there … tradition, doctrine, politics, spiritual gifts, dancing, drinking, music, culture, and … well, like we said, lots of stuff. All of that stuff is important - and certainly people should try to figure out what to believe in those areas. But we believe that if the “biggies” are sorted out, then all the other stuff will eventually fall into place too. And it might not fall into the same place as your brother or sister in Christ, but that’s what makes the kingdom of God so exciting.
ABOUT GOD
God is the creator of everything that exists. He knows everything, sees everything, has power over everything, and has a plan for everything. We know He exists in three persons (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit), we see His amazing creation all around us, and we feel His personal touch in our lives. But that doesn’t mean we fully grasp who God is or how He works. We’re just glad He loves us!
(Genesis 1:1,26-27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus is God’s only Son. Everything God is, Jesus is. He came to earth to show us what God is like. He lived on earth – fully God and fully man. And, through Jesus, we found out that God is love. Jesus took all our sins, all our selfishness, and carried them with Him to His death – on a cross. Then He rose from the dead three days later to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He did it for us … so that, through belief in Him, we could have a personal relationship with God.
(John 1:1-5; John 3:16; John 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit comes and lives inside us the moment we put our faith in Jesus Christ. He helps us understand the truth, comforts and strengthens us in times of need, and guides us in doing the right thing.
(John 14:16-17,26; John 16:13-15; Act 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; Galatians 5:25)
ABOUT US
We’re all made in the image of God – to be like Him in character. We are His most cherished achievement. He created us with tremendous potential for good, but because of our selfishness, we continue to turn our back on Him. And even though we try, there’s no way that, on our own, we can get back into a right relationship with God. Yet, because of His love and forgiveness, God made a way, through Jesus Christ, to restore that relationship.
(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-8; Isaiah 53:6; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:23)
ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s word. It’s THE truth. It provides perfect direction for our lives. It is the standard by which we measure ourselves and the framework for how we relate to others. We don’t always understand it, but we believe all of it. All of it … not just some of it. Because if we try to edit out the parts we don’t like, then we don’t believe ALL OF IT … and then it’s not God’s word, it’s our opinion – and we’re partial to God’s word.
(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160; Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)
ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is a gift from God. We can’t earn it. We don’t deserve it. But God, because of His love for us, offers it to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. And once we’re saved… we’re saved. God doesn’t take it back. By believing in Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are assured that we’ll spend eternity with God.
(Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26)
ABOUT BAPTISM
Baptism is an outward expression of the inward commitment you’ve made by putting your faith in Jesus Christ. When you’re dunked in the water - that represents your old life going away. When you’re brought up out of the water – that represents the new life that God has given you. We love to baptize believers at Compass. It’s a vivid demonstration of a great truth … that God can and does transform your life!
(Matthew 28:18-20; Colossians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17)