We Believe...

That God is the Father, Creator, and Ruler of the universe.

He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present.  In Him we live and move and have our being.  God eternally exists in three persons:  The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  (Genesis 1:1,26. Genesis 3:22, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, John 14:6-7, Ephesians 4:6, Hebrews 1:8, 1 Peter 1:2, Deuteronomy 6:4)

That Jesus Christ is the Son of God who calls all people to follow Him.

He lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He is fully God, born of a virgin. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death.  He ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father.  He will one day return to judge the world and bring all of the saved people to heaven forever.  (1 Timothy 6:14-15, Matthew 1:22-23, Isaiah 9:6, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Acts 1:9-11, Romans 1:3-4, John 1:1-5, John 14:6-30, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 4:14-15)

That the Holy Spirit is God's power for transformation.

He is the Counselor sent by Jesus into the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ.  The Holy Spirit lives in every Christian believer from the moment of salvation.  He helps us to pray; He helps us to understand God's Word; He convicts us of sin in our lives and gives us guidance to live a righteous life.  Since His work is to create in us the character of Christ, Christians are called to surrender to His control daily.  (John 14:16-17, John 16:7-13, Acts 2:38, Romans 8:1-16, 2 Corinthians 3:16-18, Genesis 1:2, Galatians 5:22-25, 2 Peter 1:21)

That people are made in the image of God.

People are designed to be like God in character.  Every person has a tremendous potential for good and was created with a divine purpose.  However, we have a tendency toward disobedience toward God called "sin."  Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in life.  (Genesis 1:27, Isaiah 53:6, Isaiah 59:1-2, Romans 3:23, Luke 18:19, Psalm 8:3-6, 2 Corinthians 3:16-18)

That the Bible is God's complete written Word.

It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.  It is the supreme source of truth for Christian faith, fundamental beliefs, and righteous living.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

That love is the fundamental aspect of God's nature.

Jesus taught that our love for God and for each other should be at the center of all our actions.  Love is the foundation for unity, even when we disagree in matters of opinion.  (1 John 4:8-11, Matthew 22:34-40, John 13:34-35)

That Jesus calls us to model His relationship with God and others through Christian service.

Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Church to see and serve the last, the lost, and the least, and to point them to Jesus Christ for life and salvation.  To accomplish this goal, the Church must be committed to reach out to the local and international communities.  It is God's desire that all accept His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.  To that end, Maricamp Road is a missional Church!  ( 1 Timothy 6:14-15, Isaiah 9:6, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Acts 2:38, Ezekiel 33:11, Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:23-27, John 1:12, John 14:8, Ephesians 2:8-9, Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 7:21)

That the Church belongs to the Lord, and it is His body

Every Christian is a member of that body.  It is not defined racially, socially, geographically, ethnically, or denominationally.  There is only one Church.  The purpose of the Church is to glorify God through worship, teaching, service, and sharing the Gospel.  (Matthew 16:18, Romans 16:16, Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 4:4-6, Ephesians 5:22-30, Acts 2:46-47, Acts 20:28, Galatians 3:28)

That worship is central to a relationship with God.

While we worship individually throughout the week in communion with God, we also worship as a community of believers each Sunday.  We desire to model our worship as closely as possible to the worship of the 1st century Church and to use methods and worship formats that will glorify God and best draw the hearts of worshippers into the presence of God.  Therefore, we are committed to using acapella singing to express our love, praise, and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father.  We celebrate the Lord's Supper to affirm our covenant relationship with God each week, and we regard this as our central act of worship.  We desire worship that is Christ-centered and Spirit-led.  (Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 5:18-20, Colossians 3:15-17, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)

That baptism into Christ is true faith responding to the Good News of Jesus Christ, and is repeatedly commanded in the New Testament.

We define baptism as immersion in water for believers who understand that only the blood of Jesus can wash away sins.  Our burial in water unites us with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  It declares that our sins been forgiven and our new life has begun.  (Acts 2:38, Acts 8:38, Acts 22:16, John 3:5, Galatians 3:26-27, Romans 6:1-8, Matthew 3:16, Matthew 28:19-20)

That people were created in the image of God to exist for eternity.

We will either live forever separated from God by sin or eternally with God through His grace, forgiveness, and salvation.  Heaven and Hell are real and eternal.  To be eternally separated from God is Hell, and to be in God's presence for eternity is Heaven.  Therefore, we desire to use every possible resource to draw people to God and to grow in Christ Jesus.  (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10, Revelation 20:11, Revelation 21:5, Matthew 25:41-41, 1 John 2:25, 1 John 5:11-13, John 3:16, Romans 6:23, 2 Corinthians 4:17-5:1)

For more information on what we believe, visit the office and pick up a copy of "Faith and Values: What We Believe."