WHAT WE BELIEVE

We believe there is one true, holy and just God, eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each possesses all the attributes of deity and the characteristics of personality. In the beginning, God created the world out of nothing, manifesting his glory, power, wisdom, and goodness. By his sovereign power he continues to sustain his creation. By his providence he operates through history to fulfill his redemptive purposes.

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. In the flesh he was both God and man. He was born of the virgin Mary and lived a sinless life. His teachings are recorded in the four gospels. According to Old Testament prophecies, Jesus was crucified, voluntarily atoning for our sins. He conquered death by being raised bodily from the dead on the third day. He later ascended to the Father’s right hand where he is the Head of the Church, interceding for believers until he comes again to inaugurate judgment and eternal life. This undeserved, unmerited sacrifice of his life for the sins of the world is the central theme of God’s message of reconciliation.

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He was sent by the Father and the Son to convict men’s hearts of sin and to provide guidance and comfort to the believer. The Spirit’s presence marks the life and power of Jesus Christ among his body and kingdom. Every Christian has the Holy Spirit, for without the Holy Spirit, one cannot be a Christian.

We recognize the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments as the authoritative Word of God. We believe that these scriptures in their entirety were written by humans through God’s divine inspiration. We believe the Bible’s content confirms its validity. Written over a period of several hundred years, it contains a continuous sequence of detailed prophecies that have occurred at a later point in time, exactly as predicted. The Bible is the full and final authority on all matters of faith. There are no other writings similarly inspired by God.

We believe that salvation is a free gift of God and cannot be earned through any of our acts or works. We receive God’s free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus alone. This requires placing our trust in the atoning work of Jesus, repenting of our sin, and confessing Jesus as our Lord. In the New Testament church, every believer was commanded to be baptized (Acts 2:38). We believe that the Bible teaches that baptism is the immersion in water of a penitent believer and is the first step of obedience after making a commitment to Christ. Baptism allows a Christ-follower to communicate to the world their heart-felt commitment to Christ.

We believe that as disciples of Jesus we must each be faithful to the whole counsel of God. Each step of obedience should be followed without exception. Jesus said it clearly, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15)

Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. For all mankind there will be a resurrection of the body into the spiritual world, and a judgment that will disclose the eternal destiny of each individual. Those found unfaithful to Jesus Christ will be separated from God into eternal condemnation. Those found faithful to Jesus Christ will enter into eternal glory with God.

Every believer united with Jesus is a part of his body, the church. There is only one universal church under the Lordship of Jesus. Those in Christ are not to be divided by race or gender. The scriptures instruct believers to gather together devoting themselves to worship, the teaching of God’s Word, prayer, each other, and the “breaking of bread” – celebrating the Lord’s Supper together. As his body, believers are to dwell in unity and love, that Christ may be glorified. Christ’s body, the church, is to be united in mind, love, spirit, and purpose to the glory of God, considering each other’s needs before their own. This attitude of love and service is the primary witness of Christ’s church to the world.

We believe that the biblical definition of marriage is between a man and a woman. Jesus himself recognized this definition (Matthew 19:4-6).

Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. Mountainview recognizes that it cannot bind the conscience of individual members in areas where the scripture is silent. Each believer is to be led in those areas by the Lord, to whom he or she is ultimately responsible.