Beliefs

Freedom Fellowships encourages people of all beliefs and persuasions to investigate what the Bible teaches. There is no official membership at our church or doctrinal tests of purity for anyone participating in our meetings.

However, we consider a number of biblical doctrines to be central to the Christian faith and vital to the integrity of all aspects of our ministry, so teachers and leaders are educated in Bible classes where we affirm all the significant Christian "statements of faith," such as the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed and the other classical Christian statements of faith. The following is a summary of our core biblical teachings, but feel free to contact us with any questions.

The Bible is the inspired word of God. The 66 books that constitute the Bible are entirely reliable and truthful, and stand as the central authority over our lives, our faith, and the direction of our church. We are committed to standard formulations of biblical inspiration such as the "Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy."

2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21

Three persons eternally share the Divine Nature. The Bible refers to these persons as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is both self-existent and personal.

John 14:10, 26; 15:26

Jesus Christ, the Son, is fully God and (since his incarnation) fully human. He lived a sinless life, died for the sins of humankind, was resurrected bodily on the third day, ascended into heaven and is coming again as King and Judge. Jesus Christ is the only provision that God has given for people to be reconciled to Him. Christ is also the model for the Christian life.

John 1:1, 14; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Corinthians 15:20; Luke 19:10

The Holy Spirit is God. He indwells us the moment we place our faith in Christ. He empowers us to live an effective Christian life by affirming our salvation, encouraging us, and giving us the strength to live a life that is pleasing to God and personally fulfilling. The Holy Spirit also endows each believer with a unique spiritual ability to serve the church.

John 14:16; Ephesians 1:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12

Salvation is reconciliation with God. God offers us salvation by His grace alone and we receive it as a gift through personal faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. This right standing before God must be received and cannot be earned. God freely offers salvation to all people, and our salvation is secure.

Ephesians 2:8, 9; Galatians 2:16; John 1:12

Human beings are created in the image of God. As such, we are unique among all of God's creation. Through the abuse of our God-given free will, we have turned against God, and this has resulted in spiritual death for all humankind. Humanity lives in a state of alienation and profound need which can only be satisfied by reconciliation with God through Christ. Without this reconciliation, all people stand under God's righteous judgment. Humanity, although fallen, maintains the image of God and is, therefore, still dignified and unique. God continues to love us and initiate toward us, even though we are hostile to Him. Believers in Jesus Christ receive a new nature that becomes the foundation for a process of transformation.

John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17

The church is composed of all those throughout history who place saving faith in Jesus Christ. The church is not an institution, but people. God wants all Christians to live out their spiritual lives in a corporate context. This context of Christian love relationships is a crucial feature of our witness for Christ. The church is God's chosen instrument through which the message of salvation is spread to all people. This mission is the central purpose for the church. We are to carry the good news locally and worldwide and demonstrate the gospel by relevant social action.

John 13:34, 35; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Matthew 28:19

Satan is the personal, spiritual adversary of God and God's followers. Satan actively opposes the work of the church and the spiritual vitality of Christians. We therefore take seriously, but in a balanced way, the reality of personal, spiritual opposition. Satan is doomed to final defeat and judgment when Christ returns.

Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 20

This age will conclude with the personal, bodily return of Christ. At that time, He will complete God's plan to reestablish His just and righteous rule over all humanity.

Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 20

At the final judgment, God will determine those who will receive eternal life and those who will live in eternal judgment. Therefore, there is an urgency to the message of the gospel because eternal issues are at stake.

Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10