What Do We Believe?

Belief Statement: At Covenant City, we believe God is the Creator of all that exists, both seen and unseen. God is eternal and completely good, knowing all things and having all power. God exists as the Trinity, in three persons, yet one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God passionately desires relationship with us and invites us into a personal relationship with Him.

Scriptural Support: Genesis 1:1; John 14:6-9, 15-17 and John 16:7-15; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 4:9-10

Belief Statement: We believe that God expressed himself in human form through His son Jesus Christ. He was born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, was crucified for the sins of all, was buried, rose from the dead and ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9,11 & Philippians 2:9-11). Forgiveness of our sins and right relationship with God, are found through Him alone (Rom. 10:9-10, Acts 4:12).

Scriptural Support: 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Corinthians 15:4, Acts 1:9,11, Philippians 2:9-11, Rom. 10:9-10, Acts 4:12

Belief Statement: We believe that 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 about living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error.

Scriptural Support: 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13 & 2 Peter 1:20-21

Belief Statement: We believe that people are created in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. Although every person has the potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” By a voluntary act of the will, Adam and Eve disobeyed God. That first sin had several repercussions. Adam and Eve were excommunicated from the garden of Eden, a curse was pronounced, the process of physical death began, and man died spiritually. Sin separated humankind from God and left man in a fallen or sinful condition, thus separating man from God.

Scriptural Support: Genesis 2:26, Genesis 3:6, Genesis 3:23, Genesis 3:14-19, Genesis 2:17, Romans 5:12-19, Ephesians 2:11-18, Romans 3:23

Belief Statement: We believe that Salvation is God's free gift available to anyone willing to 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 (Acts 4:12 & John 14:6).

Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty of our sins (1 Peter 2:24). He offers each of us a pardon for our sins (Hebrews 9:26) and wants us to become children of God (John 1:12). When we put our faith in Christ, it triggers a spiritual chain reaction. We become the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life (Revelation 3:5). We become citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20-21). We are given eternal life (John 3:16). We are adopted and become children of God (Galatians 4:4-7).

Our sins are forgiven and forgotten (Hebrews 8:12). We are credited with the righteousness of Christ (Romans 4:4-5). We are born-again (John 3:3). God takes ownership of us (1 Corinthians 6:20). We receive an eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14 & 1 Peter 1:3-5). We become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)..

Scriptural Support:

Belief Statement: We believe the Church is the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) committed to worship God (1 Cor. 12:13), share the redeeming hope of Christ with the world (Acts 1:8 & Mark 16:15-16), and to equip the community of faith to serve others and bring about transformation in society (Ephesians 4:11-16 & 1 Cor. 12:28, 14:12).

Scriptural Support: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, 1 Cor. 12:13, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15-16, Ephesians 4:11-16 , 1 Cor. 12:28, 1 Cor 14:12

Belief Statement: The Scripture teaches that all who repent and believe in Christ are to be baptized. We believe that Baptism is a public profession of faith in Christ. It is symbolic of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It is a declaration to all that we have died to sin and have been raised to walk in new life in Christ.

Scriptural Support: Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:4

Belief Statement: Communion consists of two elements: the bread and the cup. We beleive that those elements are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. Communion is a memorial of Christ's sufferings on the cross and a celebration of our salvation.

Scriptural Support: 1 Cor. 11:17-34

Belief Statement: We believe God the Holy Spirit,

• Convicts the world of sin and draws us to the Father (John 16:8);
• He baptizes us into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13);
• He leads us to truth (John 16:13); He counsels us (John 14:16);
• He teaches us (John 14:26); He empowers us (Acts 1:8);
• He continually fills us (Acts 4:31, Gal. 5:16-25, Eph. 5:18);
• He distributes gifts to every follower of Christ (1 Cor. 12:4-11).
• The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) are the by-product of a Spirit-filled life and evidence of spiritual maturity.

Scriptural Support: John 16:8, 1 Cor. 12:13, John 16:13, John 14:16, John 14:26, Acts 1:8, Acts 4:31, Gal. 5:16-25, Eph. 5:18, 1 Cor. 12:4-11, Galatians 5:22-23