Engage Equip Empower
Our Beliefs
These fundamental doctrines within the Engage Hope Statement of Faith represent what we believe to be core elements of biblical teaching.
Engage Equip Empower
Statement of Faith
One God
There is one God: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who subsist in unity, and also as three separate, distinct Persons (John 14:7–16; Genesis 1:1; 1:26–27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 40:28–29; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
Jesus Christ, God’s Son
Jesus Christ is God’s Son. He was born of a virgin as both God and man, lived a sinless life, died to atone for the sins of human beings, was buried, arose from the grave, ascended into heaven, and will return to earth (Matthew 1:22–23; Isaiah 9:6; 53:5–6; John 1:1–5; 14:10–30; Hebrews 4:14–15; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Romans 1:3–4; Acts 1:9–11; 1 Timothy 6:14–15; Titus 2:13).
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the divine helper, assistant, counselor, and instructor, and His work is to reveal Christ, convict of sin, lead to repentance, guide believers, comfort, strengthen, and sanctify the soul (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7–13; 14:16–17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; 5:25; Galatians 5:25).
The Bible
The Bible is God’s Holy Word, without error, and is the sole authority for life (Psalm 119:105; Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:20–21; 2 Timothy 3:16).
Created Man’s Need for God
Human beings are the unique creations of God, made in His image. They fell through the sin of the first man, Adam, and all human beings are sinners in need of salvation (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3–6; Isaiah 53:6; 59:1–2; Romans 3:23).
Salvation
Salvation is a gift through repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ. Every person who truly is saved is eternally secure in the Lord Jesus Christ and will spend eternity in heaven, while those who die in their sins will spend eternity in hell (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9; John 14:6; 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1).
Baptism
Baptism is by immersion after salvation and is done in obedience to Jesus Christ’s command (Matthew 3:15–17; Acts 2:38).
Believer’s Access to God
Each believer has direct access to God through the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14–16; 7:19; Ephesians 3:12).
The Church
The Church is a local body of baptized believers with the Lord Jesus Christ as the Head (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:27–29; 1 Corinthians 12:27–29; Ephesians 1:21–23; 3:20–22; 4:1–3; 5:21–27; Colossians 1:17–19).