THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE
1. About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Psalm 90:2;
Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14)
2. About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God; He is co-equal with the Father. Being born of a virgin, Jesus lived a sinless life and offered 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 over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 1:22,23;Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)
3. About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives all believers a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control every day.
(II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:18; I Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25)
4. About the Bible
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. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160; Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 12:6)
5. About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God; to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God call “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and cause many problems in life. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2)
6. About Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer for 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 into his life by faith. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:9; John 14:6, 1:2; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)
7. About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” your salvation. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God that gives us security. (John 10:29; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25. 10:10, 14; I Peter 1:3-5)
8. About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation through Christ. To be separated eternally from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8; Matthew 2:36, 44)
OUR LIFESTYLE STATEMENT
WHAT WE PRACTICE
Beliefs are not worth much unless they are translated into actions. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following practices:
Bible as our sole authority
“The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us to do what is right.”
II Timothy 3:15
Since God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is, “What does the Bible say?” We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and scripture memorization. The Bible is the basis for all that we believe.
Autonomy of the local church
“Christ is the head of His body, the church. He is the source of the Body’s life.”
Colossians 1:18(GN)
The head of our church is not a person, group, or religious organization, but rather Christ alone. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with groups of other Christians, we believe that every local church should be self-governing and independent from any denominational control.
Priesthood of every believer
“Christ loves us, and by His death He has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to serve God.”
Revelation 1:6(GN)
“You are…the King’s priests…God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God.”
I Peter 2:9(GN)
Tithing
“A tithe (tenth) of everything you produce belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.”
Leviticus 26:30
At Eagle Heights we believe and practice tithing for the support of Christ’s body, the Church, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income, time, and talents (everything we are and have) is the Biblical standard for giving. We believe that this the minimum that God expects from us, but He also expects us to give offerings over and above the tithe as He directs us as individuals (I Chronicles 29:3). We give out of love and gratitude for all that God has given us, not out of guilt or condemnation. We also give from obedience to the command of scripture.
Immersion
“For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ and in baptism you were also raised with Christ.”
Colossians 2:12(GN)
Spirit-led Living
“Jesus said, ‘I am the Vine, you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit, but apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is right. (Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 5:18)
Witnessing – telling others about Jesus
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
I Peter 3:15
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News as God gives us the opportunity. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to church.
OUR CORE VALUES STATEMENTS
Christ’s Headship – We acknowledge Christ as the head of our church and submit ourselves and all our activities to His will and good pleasure. (Ephesians 1:22-23)
Biblical Teaching – We strive to teach God’s Word with integrity and authority so that seekers will find Christ and believers mature in Him.
(II Timothy 3:16)
Authentic Worship – We desire to acknowledge God’s supreme value and worth in our personal lives and in the corporate, contemporary worship of our church.
(Romans 12:1-2)
Prayer – We rely on private and corporate prayer in the conception, planning, and execution of all the ministries and activities of this church. (Matthew 7:7-11)
Sense of Community – We ask all our people to commit to, and fully participate in, biblically functioning small groups where they may reach the lost, exercise their gifts, be cared for, and grow in Christ.
(Acts 2:44-46)
Family – We support the spiritual nurture of the family as one of God’s means to further the Kingdom of God.
(II Timothy 1:5)
Grace-Orientation – We encourage our people to serve Christ from hearts of love and gratitude rather than guilt and condemnation. (Romans 6:14)
Creativity and Innovation – We will constantly evaluate our forms and methods, seeking to be culturally relevant and to maximize our ministry effectiveness for Christ.
(I Chronicles 12:32)
Lost People – We value un-churched, de-churched, lost people and will use every available Christ-honoring means to pursue, win, and disciple them. (Luke 19:10)
Mobilized Congregation – We seek to equip all our uniquely designed and gifted people to effectively accomplish the work of our ministry.
(Ephesians 4:11-13)
