Eternity & Heaven on Earth
Man is created in the image of God and is meant to be in union with God for all eternity. Because of sin, we can either choose to be eternally separated from God in hell or we can choose to be unified for eternity with God in Heaven through Sozo. Once we choose to be unified with God, we are granted access to a realm of heaven on earth , right now, so that we can live in a heaven on earth reality.
Genesis 1:26-31, John 3:16, Romans 6:23
Salvation – Sozo
Salvation is obtained only in accepting Jesus who purchased life through His sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection from the grave. We are transformed in His image as we live a life of separation from the desires/ways of the world as we abide in Christ’s teachings. To be saved, or “sozo” means to be saved, healed, protected, delivered, and made whole. We believe God’s plan for every human being is to become “Sozo”.
Acts 2:21, Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9, Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8-9
Perichoresis – Father, Son, Holy Spirt
God exists as one in three persons in a “perichoresis” type of relationship; meaning a circle dance of God existing in 3 persons; Father, Son, Holy Spirit, in such a way that we can’t tell one from the other. We live, move, and exist in God the Father, we are brought into righteousness by Jesus, the Son, and we are guided and empowered by Holy Spirit. Because we are saved (sozo) and made whole, we are made right to join God to be in union with this dance in a lifestyle of perichoresis living.
Genesis 1:26, Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 3:16-17, Luke 1:35
Spiritual Gifts
All believers receive, and operate in, gifts of the Spirit as manifested in the early church. They are given so that God would receive glory and honor as we carry out the commission of Jesus to be witnesses throughout our lives, establishing His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.
1 Corinthians 6:14-15, 1 Corinthians 1:7
Baptism & Communion
Baptism and Communion are symbols of our union with God. We baptize, by immersion in water, as public testimony of our union with God through Jesus and we participate in the regular taking of Communion with the elements of bread and juice, representing the sacrifice of Jesus’ flesh and blood on the cross and representing a life in communion with God at all times.
Matthew 28:19, Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 1:4-5, Luke 22:19-20
Financial Stewardship & Generosity
God calls us to be a generous people; giving our time, talents, and treasure for the glory of God. As we follow God, we naturally meet His command of tithing, not out of duty, but out of a generous heart postured before the Lord. Tithing is giving 10% of our income to the storehouse so that believers will not go without while supporting the mission of the church. We are a generous people in giving our tithe, offerings as Holy Spirit leads, and serving God through the church. This is worshipping God with our time, our talents, and our treasure!
Malachi 3:8-12, Matthew 6:21, Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Peter 4:10, 2 Corinthians 9:7
Ekklesia – The Church
The Church is a community of believers unified through faith in God committed to all of the teachings and commands found in the Word of God. The Holy Bible is our foundation and is completely relevant to our lives. It equips us to become hearers and doers of God’s words so we become a true Ekklesia; a body of beleivers that govern earth according to the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 16:18-19, Acts 2:41-47, 1 Timothy 4:14-16
Christ’s Return
Jesus Christ will return to earth, at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures, to establish His Kingdom.
Matthew 24:30-21, Acts 1:9-11, Revelation 1:7