Our Beliefs are the foundation of our interactions with God, each other, and our community.

Core Beliefs

At True Hope Church, we have a clear set of firmly held beliefs and core values (see below). These beliefs and values guide us in how we live each day and how we interact with God, each other, and with our community.  

Personal Commitment to Jesus Christ.
Every person must make their own commitment to Jesus Christ. This experience is referred to by Jesus as being “born again” (John 3:1-7)
Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Christian life is first and foremost a relationship with Jesus Christ. Christ is the answer not only to the problems of this world, but to every issue of our lives. Therefore, He must be the center of our attention and the one who gives us direction in all things. “…so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything.” (Col. 1:18b)
Our Reference is the Bible.
The Bible alone is our guidebook. Human creeds, however well stated they may be, do not sufficiently match the Word of God given to man. “…The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.” (1 Peter 1:24-25)
All Believers are Priests/Ministers.
We are all called to be God’s ministers. All believers have direct access to God through Jesus Christ. There is no need for a human mediator or some deceased saint to help us get an audience with God. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Pet. 2:9)
Evangelistic Responsibility
Christ left the church on earth to be the light of the world. As long as darkness remains and as long as there are people who have never heard the good news of Jesus Christ, the church’s mission is clear. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)
Autonomy of the Local Church.
“To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings…Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care…” (1 Pt. 5:1-2)

Statement of Faith

 

The Bible

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We believe the Bible is relevant and useful for guidance, instruction and correction. We give it supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (Psalm 119:89; John 17:17; Romans 15:4, I Corinthians 10:11; II Timothy 2:15, 3:15-17; I Peter 1:23-25; II Peter 1:21.)  

 

Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, fully God, fully human, and conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, continual intercession for His people and personal visible return to earth. (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1, 3:16, 11:25; Acts 1:3-9, 16:31; Philippians 2:6; I Timothy 2:5, 3:16; I Peter 2:22; I John 3:5 and Revelations 1:7).

God & Trinity

We believe that there is one living and true God eternally existing in three persons; that these three persons are equal in divine perfection; and that they execute distinct, but harmonious, offices in the work of the creation, providence and redemption. (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; John 5:18, 14:16; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 1:20; II Corinthians 13:14 and Philippians 2:6).

 

The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ.  We believe that the Holy Spirit lives within every believer and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide.  The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit is called the baptism of the Holy Spirit, whereas the filling or fullness of the Holy Spirit is an experience that occurs when believers submit themselves to the Holy Spirit's controlling influence.  (John 14:17, 16:8; Acts 5:1-4; Romans 8:1-17, 15:16; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13, 3:16; Ephesians 5:18; Titus 3:5; 1 John 2:27.)

God the Father

We believe in God the Father, the creator of heaven and earth, an infinite personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer and that He saves from sin and eternal death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 6:9-13; John 3:16, 4:24, 5:26, 17:11 and Romans 8:33).

 

Man

We believe that all people are created by God in His image to glorify and enjoy Him forever.  Because the first couple, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God's command when tested, they and all people since are alienated from God and are sinners by nature and by choice.  Because God is holy and cannot overlook sin, all people are under condemnation and unable to save themselves.  (Genesis 1:26; Psalm 51:5; Matthew 5:19-20, 48; Romans 3:23, 15:6; Revelation 4:11.)

 

Satan

We believe Satan is real and supernaturally powerful. He is the originator of evil in our world.  His fate and doom will be the Lake of Fire for all eternity because Jesus Christ has defeated the power of sin, death, and Satan on the cross.  (Genesis 3:1-7; Matthew 13:19, 39; Acts 5:3; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Ephesians 6:10; Hebrews 2:14-15.)

Salvation 

We believe that Christ was crucified to bear the condemnation of all people, and that nothing prevents anyone's salvation except his rejection of Jesus Christ as his sin-bearer.  Those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are freed from guilt, condemnation and given eternal life.  Those who do not repent or who trust in other means will suffer eternal punishment. (Isaiah 53:5-6; Matthew 25:46, John 1:12, 3:3, 3:8, 6:40, 8:31, 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Peter 2:24; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 20:11-15.)

The Church

We believe in the universal church with Jesus Christ as its head.  The Church is a living spiritual body composed of all regenerated believers of whatever race or nation.  We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized as a profession of faith, and associated for worship, work, fellowship, and evangelism. (Matthew 28:17-20; Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.)