First Congregational Church is a non-denominational Christian church. We recognize there is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus Christ. The nature of our church government is congregational, whereby our church assumes the authority to develop its own constitution, write its own bylaws, and make its own operational decisions. We embrace the historic Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds as well as the confessions of the Reformation as faithful witnesses to the Word of God. We believe the body of Christ is unified in its purpose but diverse in its expression. The goal in our congregation is to live and work toward consensus among us all without compromising any biblical truths. As such, we affirm the following core beliefs to define who we are as Christians.
THE TRINITY
We believe in the Trinity, a unity of three unique beings and one substance. Each member of the Trinity is equally loved, honored and worshiped: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We believe in one God, revealed in the Holy Scripture to be the Creator of heaven and earth, the Savior of the world, and the Teacher and Sustainer of life.
Genesis 1:1-2, Luke 3:21-22, Acts 2:32-33, 2 Corinthians 13:13, Ephesians 4:4-6
CREATION and the FALL
We believe God is the creator of all things, visible and invisible. Human life in all forms and stages, from beginning to end, is precious to God. Humankind is the crown of God’s creation, made male and female in the image and likeness of God. Both humankind and the world were created good. However, Adam and Eve broke fellowship with God, thus setting the stage for sin and Satan to corrupt God’s creation. We are separated from fellowship with God and one another because of this Fall into sin. Consequently, we are in need of God’s offer of redemption.
Genesis 1:26-31, Genesis 2:15-17, Genesis 3:1-6
JESUS CHRIST and SALVATION
We believe Jesus is the Son of God, fully human and fully divine, the eternal Word through whom all things were created. He set aside his glory to enter into this fallen world to restore our relationship with God. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life, and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all humankind by his death on the cross. He was bodily resurrected and ascended into heaven. Through Jesus Christ’s
death and resurrection, God offers us salvation, forgiving our sins, defeating Satan and overcoming death.
We believe that God initiates and freely offers redemption and forgiveness by reaching out to all of us through His grace and mercy. Salvation is received through our repentance from sin, our personal belief and faith in Jesus Christ, and our acknowledgment of him as Lord and Savior. We do not receive salvation by our own effort and goodness, however our good works are still pleasing to God.
John 1:1-18, Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 1:2-4; Romans 8:1-4, Ephesians 2:5-11
THE HOLY SPIRIT and TRANSFORMATION
We believe the Holy Spirit is a full and equal part of the Trinity responsible with the Father and the Son for Creation, leading us to Jesus Christ and living within us, guiding and empowering us to live transformed holy lives. The Holy Spirit draws us to faith as we repent of our sin and receive Christ’s forgiveness, thereby imparting to us fellowship with God and His people. The Holy Spirit empowers us with spiritual gifts to participate in Christ’s ministry. It is both a privilege and blessing for all Christians to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Genesis 1:2, Acts 2:38, Galatians 5:16-18, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Ephesians 1:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:13
THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible is God’s infallible word written by humans inspired by the Holy Spirit. As such, the Bible is the ultimate source of truth and authority for Christian faith and living. Its main purpose is to reveal Christ to us. The written revelation of God is complete in the 66 books of the Old and the New Testament. They reveal God’s loving grace reaching out to people everywhere, urging them to live by faith and obedience, while providing a foundation on which to build their lives.
Psalm 119:160, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21
THE CHURCH
We believe in one (united), holy (set apart by God), catholic (universal) and apostolic church. We believe the church is a community joined together by a common belief in the gift of salvation given in Jesus Christ and that the church exists wherever two or more are gathered in his name. As Christians we are called to make disciples and show compassion for all people in the world. We place high value on coming together as a congregation to fulfill God’s purposes for the church: worship, evangelism, fellowship, discipleship, and service to others. The body of Christ is built up by all members investing their spiritual gifts and growing in the fruit of the Spirit to become his hands, feet, heart, and mind as God’s mission is advanced in this world.
Matthew 16:15-19, Acts 2:43-47, Acts 20:28, Colossians 1:17-18, Hebrews 10:24-25
SACRAMENTS and MARRIAGE COVENANT
We believe sacraments are outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace uniting the body of Christ in ministry and mission. Christ instituted two sacraments in the New Testament: baptism and communion. We believe marriage is a sacred covenant.
Sacrament of Baptism
We celebrate baptism for all as the visible entry into the body of Christ. We respect the individual family’s desire for either infant baptism or dedication. Through infant baptism, we recognize the family’s commitment to raise a child in the worship and teaching of the Christian church until the child is prepared to personally confirm his or her faith in Jesus Christ. Through dedication of infants, we recognize the family’s commitment to raise a child in the worship and teaching of the Christian church until the child desires to be baptized into the faith and family of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20a, Acts 16:13-15, Romans 6:1-4
Sacrament of Communion
In communion, we break bread and pour out the cup to remember always the broken body and shed blood of Christ on the cross for us. We witness in the bread and fruit of the vine the gift of forgiveness, renewed faith in God and our intimate fellowship with each other through our union in Christ. We celebrate open communion, which means that all who follow Christ are welcome at his table.
Luke 22:14-20, John 6:47-59, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
Covenant of Marriage
We believe a Christian marriage is characterized and governed by Christian principles that are set forth in creation and the teachings of Jesus. Jesus defined marriage as a sacred lifelong covenant between a man and a woman. Recognizing we live in a broken world, we embrace Christ’s ministry and welcome everyone in his name.
Genesis 2:21-24, Matthew 19:4-6, Ephesians 5:24-33
EVANGELISM and STEWARDSHIP
We believe it is the duty and privilege of the members of our church to make disciples among the people of all nations, born out of love for our Savior and others. As Christians we are responsible to put the will of God first in our lives and to desire the righteousness of Christ’s kingdom.
We believe that stewardship is being faithful disciples, caring for and managing all that God has given to us. Since God is the source of our blessings, all that we have we owe to him. As servants of God we are called to faithfully serve him with our time, our talent and treasure. Tithing is a worthy goal for every Christian. We are called to be good stewards of all God’s gifts, caring for God’s creation and extending the righteousness of Christ’s kingdom to all spheres of society.
Genesis 12:1-3, Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 1:8; Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, Hebrews 13:15-16
GOD’S ETERNAL PLAN
We believe God’s eternal plan was first depicted in the Old Testament, then fulfilled in the New Testament, and continues to unfold as Christ’s kingdom grows across the world. It will reach its final and great conclusion upon Christ’s Return at the end of time.
We prepare ourselves for the day when Jesus Christ will return, the dead will be raised, and all people will stand before the Triune God in judgment. Those who reject God’s love and forgiveness will be forever separated from God. Those who have accepted Christ’s love and forgiveness will continue to glorify God, share God’s love for one another, and enjoy God’s renewed creation forever.