Our Beliefs
We hold certain beliefs as essential to our faith, whereas other beliefs are what we all non-essential to the foundation of living as a follower of Jesus Christ. We have unity in the essentials (Ephesians 4:4-6; Romans 5:15) and freedom in the non-essentials (Romans 14:1-23; Galatians 5:1). The following statement of faith is designed to help you understand our essential beliefs that fundamentally define who we are:
Mission: The mission of Encounter Life is to make fully devoted followers of Jesus. We believe we can best accomplish this by making disciples who love God, live His mission, love others, and lead them to follow.
God
We believe that there is one sovereign God eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the Creator of all things
Genesis 1:1, Matthew 3:16-17, John 1:1-2, Acts 2:32-33
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ, God’s eternal and only Son was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, died on the cross (in the place of all those who will believe), and rose from the dead.
Colossians 2:9, Luke 1:30-35, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:21
Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin and indwells every believer. He comforts believers, equips them for personal growth and enables them to serve Jesus Christ.
John 16:8; Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:13-14
Bible
We believe the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God and the final authority for all matters of faith and practice.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Humanity
We believe that man, created in God’s image, willfully sinned and as a result is condemned and without hope apart from Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:23, 6:23; Acts 4:12
Salvation
We believe that salvation – the forgiveness of sins – is available only by the grace of God through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This free gift of salvation is offered to all who receive Christ as Lord and Savior through faith.
John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9; Colossians 2:6; Acts 2:38, 2 Timothy 2:5
We believe those accepting Christ should confess their faith, repent of sin, be baptized, and live according to God’s Word.
Romans 10:9; Acts 2:38; 2 John 8-9
Church
We believe the church was established by Jesus Christ to proclaim his message of hope to the world. The church also exists to promote unity among believers and build up the body of Christ in a way that represents Christ to those who do not know Him.
Matthew 16:18-19; Ephesians 4:16
We believe those accepting Christ should confess their faith, repent of sin, be baptized, and live according to God’s Word.
Romans 10:9; Acts 2:38; 2 John 8-9
Ordinances of the Church
We believe that baptism is by immersion and the Lord’s Supper is a memorial to His suffering and death on the cross and reminder of His second coming. These are ordinances to be observed by the church. They are, however, not to be regarded as means for man’s salvation.
Eternity
We believe that death seals the eternal destiny of each person. When Christ returns he will pronounce the eternal fate of each individual-only those who believe in Christ will experience eternal fellowship with God.
Acts 1:10-11; John 5:28-29; 2 Corinthians 4:14