Statement of Faith – Arise Church

These Statements of Faith are the core of our beliefs at Arise Church. We hold fast to these truths and firmly believe that to be a follower of Jesus Christ, these statements cannot be ignored or argued over. Nor can these statements be picked and chosen to fit our worldview. To believe in one of them is to believe in all of them.

THE BIBLE

The Bible is the authoritative Word of God. It is inspired and written by the Holy Spirit through human authors. The Scriptures are infallible, inerrant and the final authority on truth.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5;Romans 16:25-26

TRINITY

There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and co-eternal.

I John 5:7; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6

JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind which provided atonement for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory.

John 1:1,14; John 20:28; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5-8; I Timothy 2:5

REDEMPTION

Man was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression, he fell; his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Gen. 1:26-31; Gen. 3:1-7; Romans 5:1-2

SALVATION

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ: His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human efforts.

Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22

REPENTANCE

Repentance is a change of mind, which results in a decision to turn away from sin and to follow Jesus. This act positions us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Through repentance and faith, forgiveness of sins and salvation are appropriated to our lives.

Acts 2:21; Acts 3:19; I John 1:9

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

Given at Pentecost, it is the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after His Ascension, to empower the Church to proclaim the Gospel throughout the whole earth and live victoriously.

Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 8:14-17; Acts 10:38; Acts 10:44-47; Acts 11:15-17; Acts 19:1-6

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. The Bible lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters.

Hebrews 2:4; Romans 1:11; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:16; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6-7; I Corinthians 12:1-31; I Corinthians 14:1-40; I Peter 4:10

THE CHURCH

The church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit. The church has been appointed by God for the fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission. Every person who is born of the Spirit is an integral part of the church as a member of the body of believers. There is a spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11; John 17:20-23

SACRAMENTS

Water Baptism: Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded to be baptized in water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12; Acts 8:36-38; Acts 8:12; Acts 10:47-48

Communion: A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice (the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross.

Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 10:16; I Corinthians 11:23-25

HEALING OF THE SICK

Healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus and included in the commission of Jesus to His disciples. It is given as a sign, which is to follow believers. It is also a part of Jesus’ redemptive work on the Cross and one of the gifts of the Spirit.

Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; James 5:14-16; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Corinthians 12:28

RESURRECTION

Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. In addition, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; those that are saved to the resurrection of life and those that are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation.

Luke 24:16; Luke 24:36; Luke 24:39; John 2:19-21; John 20:26-28; John 21:4; Acts 24:15; I Corinthians 15:42; I Corinthians 15:44; Philippians 1:21-23; Philippians 1:21-23

ETERNITY

Heaven is the eternal dwelling place for all believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After living one life on earth, the unbelievers will be judged by God and consequently experience eternal separation from Him in a place called Hell.

Matthew 5:3; Matthew 5:12; Matthew 5:20; Matthew 6:20; Matthew 19:21; Matthew 25:34; John 17:24; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; I Peter 1:4; Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 20:12-15; Revelation 21:8

THE RETURN OF JESUS

Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures.

Matthew 24:30; Matthew 24:36; Matthew 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; I Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7