The Essentials
A STATEMENT OF FAITH for Haverhill Christian Church

We live in a pluralistic age.

With so many doctrines and belief systems swirling around us it can be confusing and overwhelming.
 
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that just because a belief claims to be Christian or Biblical, doesn’t make it necessarily so. 
 
And they can’t all be equally valid.  So, how do we sort our way through this maze?
 
A good rule of thumb that has been used for centuries among Christians is:

• In essential beliefs- Unity Eph. 4:4-6
• In non-essentials- Liberty. Romans 14:1
• In all things – Love 1 Corinthians 13:2

Which only raises the question:

“What are the essential doctrines or beliefs of the Christian faith?”

Of course, there are a number of distinctive practices and beliefs that set followers of Christ apart from each other. It wouldn’t be wise or loving to ignore or dismiss those differences. There is something worth learning from all of them. Some choose to emphasize holiness, another grace, while another expresses loyalty to a certain historical leader or a particular form of church government. Like panes in a stained glass mural, each color plays an important part in painting the picture.

But some people are surprised to learn that historically there has always been a broad area of consensus regarding Christian belief. There have been a number of attempts to express this consensus in writing. Generally these efforts tend to focus on seven foundational beliefs.

SEVEN  ESSENTIALS:

ABOUT GOD - We believe that God is Tri-une, One in essence & yet three-in one

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and present everywhere.   He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  These 3 are co-equal and are one God.

Gen. 1:1, 26, 27;  3:22;  Psalm 90:2 ; Matt. 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2;  2 Cor. 13:14

ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS - We believe in the Historical Creation of Man

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. We were designed for everlasting life and fellowship with ours Creator.   Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by a fallen human nature. Sin and the rejection of God and His ways is the root cause of all misery and suffering in this world.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6  Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST - We believe in the absolute deity of Jesus Christ, and in his full humanity.  born of a virgin, died for our sins, risen bodily from the dead,  He  will return personally and visibly in power and glory.

Jesus, the Messiah or Christ, is the Son of God.  He is co-equal with the Father, fully God and yet also fully human. Jesus lived a sinless human life and gave himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power and authority over sin, death & the devil. He is the only mediator between God and Man.  There is no other name by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

After His resurrection, He ascended to Heaven’s glory.   He is King of Kings and will return personally and visibly, in power and glory.

Matthew 1:22,23;  Isaiah 9:6;  John 1:1-5; 14:10-30;  Hebrews 4:14; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4;  Acts 1:9-11; 1 Tim. 6:14-15;  Titus 2:13

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT - We Believe in the Ministry of the Holy Spirit, who indwells God’s people and empowers them to live for Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son. He is “the other comforter” who dwells in the hearts of believers, convincing them of the truth of Jesus’ teaching and helping them to do right. Conviction of sin, faith in Christ, new birth and Christian growth are all the work of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit’s presence is the guarantee of our relationship with God, and the source of Christian unity  “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.”  Rom. 8:16.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13;  14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Eph. 1:13; 5:18; 1 Cor. 2:12; 3:16;  Galatians 5:25

ABOUT THE BIBLE -  WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE TO BE TOTALLY TRUSTWORTHY

The Bible is God’s Word to us.  It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.  It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.  It is our road map for faith, doctrine and conduct. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.

2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Tim. 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160;  12:6;  Proverbs 30:5; Romans 15:4

ABOUT SALVATION - We Believe in Salvation through Jesus Christ alone

Salvation is God’s free gift to us.  But we must accept it.  We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works.  Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty.  When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved.  Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

John 1:12; 14:6;  Rom. 6:23;  Eph 2:8,9;  Titus 3:5;  Gal 3:26;  Romans 5:1
 

ABOUT ETERNITY - We Believe That People were created to exist forever. 

We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation.  To be eternally separated from God is Hell.  To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life.  Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

A Few Distinctives

We are a non-denominational Fellowship - Our church is not governed by or obligated to any outside church hierarchy or leadership. We are an independent fellowship of believers. Our leadership team consists of elders who have been called by Christ and recognized by the church family for the purpose of serving and directing the life and ministry of HCC.

The fellowship of Christian Churches was formed out of a desire to simply be genuinely and authentically “Christian”-Nothing more, and certainly nothing less.  Because of that, we choose to focus on what followers of Christ can readily agree upon as being Biblical and essential to the faith.  Our primary concern is not tradition or being popular, but what does the Bible say? 

We practice baptism by immersion -  In the New Testament, whenever someone made a decision to follow Christ, they marked their response to the Gospel by identifying with Jesus in the waters of baptism. The word “baptism” is simply the Bible’s word for immersion. 

 We observe the Lord’s Supper every week - We are rather simplistic about things: Whenever possible, we want to follow the practices of the Christians in the Bible. The New Testament is clear that whenever the believers came together for worship on the first day of the week, they had communion. It is our privilege to do the same.

 We celebrate that Jesus Christ changes lives - We haven’t arrived yet. We are all still in the process of becoming more like Christ. Sometimes it can be a pretty rough road. But we know this: when Jesus is allowed to reign and rule in someone’s life, that person is never the same. We want to point people to Jesus, who heals the broken, rescues the lost & sets captives free.

In essential beliefs-  unity

“There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all...”  Eph. 4:4-6

In non-essential beliefs-  liberty

“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. ...Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. ..So then  each of us will give an account of himself to God...So whatever you believe  about these things keep between yourself and God.”  Romans 14:1,4,12,22

In all our beliefs - Love

“...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of  God, & if I have the faith that can move mountains - but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.”   1 Cor. 13:2  (Phillips)