Statement of Faith || Covenant Life Church

Our DNA

GOD

We believe in the one triune God revealed in the Bible: the Father; Jesus Christ, the Son; and the Holy Spirit. He is creator, redeemer, and sovereign ruler of creation. He is the author of truth, love, and faith (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:15-23).

SIN

We believe that man was created in the image of God. Through disobedience mankind is separated from God, and without God, he is without hope (Genesis 1:26-28; Romans 5:17).

COVENANT LIFE

We believe God is a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God; that is, He has made promises to those who respond to His love by committing their lives to Him (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

TEAM MINISTRY

We value doing minisitry as a team.God has placed different gifts and talents in His body, and when we work together we are much more effective! Although Jesus could’ve fulfilled His ministry alone, he chose to work with a team. It’s how leaders are developed and where the best results are seen.

PRIESTHOOD OF THE BELIEVER

We believe in the priesthood of the believer. By the shedding of His blood, Jesus has become the believer’s High Priest and has made it possible for each Christian to have free access to the presence of the Father. In His presence, each one can come to know God and to receive from Him. Each Christian, likewise, is responsible to come to the Father in confidence and faith as a priest unto Him under the new covenant. There he is to minister both the worship of his lips and the worship of his life sacrificially presented to God (I Peter 2:4-12).

EVANGELISM

We believe in world evangelism. We accept the commission of Jesus Christ, who is Lord, to make disciples of all nations, to baptize them and to teach them to observe His commandments. We join with all those believing in Him to accomplish this urgent task. We accept this as a personal commission as well as a commission to the entire Church (Matthew 28:16-20).

CIVIL AUTHORITY

We believe God is the author of all authority. He has ordained civil government for the establishment of order and peace in the nations. He has ordained government in His Church to bring it to righteousness, peace; and joy in the Holy Spirit. We believe there should be mutual respect between civil and spiritual authority. While civil authority is separated from church government, it should not be separated from God and His law.

TITHES AND OFFERINGS

We believe the Church should be supported by the tithes and offerings of those committed to its mission. Also when people serve God with a free spirit, we believe there is financial abundance to accomplish His purpose (Genesis 14:17-20; Malachi 3:6-12; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7). God is generous and calls us to live generously. We are blessed so we can be used by Him to be a blessing in the lives of others.

JUDGMENT

We believe in a final judgment at the end of the age. The righteous and the wicked will stand before Him and be judged. Those who have righteousness produced by faith will be rewarded with the privilege of ruling and enjoying His eternal blessings. Those who are wicked will be eternally punished (Matthew 25:31-46).

ORDINANCES | The Lord’s Supper (Communion):

A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and “fruit of the vine” (the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48; 1Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25).

BIBLE

We believe that the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God and our standard for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We are committed to reading, studying and teaching the Bible, which was given through the Holy Spirit to instruct, correct and guide us through the everyday stuff of life.

SALVATION

We believe man’s salvation is through renouncing his self-determination, taking responsibility for his disobedience, turning from his sin, and seeking forgiveness from God (Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-9). Further, we believe such a penitent person must put his faith in Jesus Christ, whom we believe to be the incarnate Son of God. Jesus died substitutionally for man’s transgressions, was raised from the dead on the third day, and ascended back to the Father.

CHURCH

We believe the very nature and purpose of God is revealed in His Church. Jesus came and established it as His Body in the earth. We believe the Church Universal consists of all who live under Jesus’ lordship, while the Church Local is a body of believing people, baptized and joined together, practicing the new covenant (Acts 14:23; Acts 16:5). Since the Church is one as God is one, the local church must seek to walk in harmony with the universal church.

WORSHIP

We value the opportunity to worship God together.Worship is the act of giving God glory and praise. He "inhabits the praises of his people" (Psalm 22:3). Our church family worships Him with singing, playing instruments, and outward expressions of praise, but all of these are merely tokens of our true act of worship, which is to present our lives as living sacrifices.

FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE

We believe in freedom of conscience. One is responsible for his or her own choices and behavior. While God has ordained both civil and spiritual government, we believe each person is still directly accountable to Him. Therefore, pastors and churches can give direction, but all service must be rendered voluntarily, joyfully, and from a free conscience (Romans 14:9-12; Philippians 2:5-8; John 10:14-18).

ECUMENISM

We believe that God views His people as one people. This is true historically and currently. All Christians share in the responsibility for division and reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5: 11-21; Ephesians 3:14; Ephesians 4:4-6).

MARRIAGE

We believe God created marriage. It is a covenant made between a man and a woman that makes them one (Gen 2: 22, 24; Matt 19: 5-6).

CHRIST'S RETURN

We believe Jesus Christ will return to earth in a visible way. His purpose will be to manifest His government in the earth. Christians are exhorted to be watchful and obedient until His appearing. While there are many viewpoints concerning His second coming, we believe Christians should lovingly look for His appearing, giving full attention to obedience while He tarries. We believe His appearing will occasion the resurrection of the righteous who have died and who are now with Him (I Corinthians Chapter 15).

ORDINANCES | Water Baptism:

Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, a new believer is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38).