Our Beliefs
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Statement of Faith
The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired Word of God, speaks with final authority as the sole and final source of all we believe. For the purposes of Park Avenue Christian Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy and discipline, the Church Elders are the final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application (Acts 20:28, Titus 1:5-7). In essential beliefs, we have unity. “There is one Body and one Spirit…there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all…” Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV) In non-essential beliefs, we have liberty. “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters…Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls…So then each of us will give an account of himself to God…So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:1,4,12,22 (NIV) In all our beliefs, we have love. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2 (NIV) The Essentials We Believe: About God God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed as one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; John 14:26; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14). About Jesus Christ The Messiah or Christ (Anointed One) Jesus is God, who became flesh (John 1:14). He lived a sinless human life and, by dying on the cross, offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people. He rose from the dead on the third day, demonstrating his power over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). He ascended to Heaven (Luke 24:50-51) as our High Priest and will return to earth at the time the Father has set (Matthew 16:27) as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (1 Timothy 6:14-15). About the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is one with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19). He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8), and stands beside us to help us in our Christian walk (John 14:16). About the Bible The Bible is inspired by God, and is the primary source for our teaching, and for guidance in living our lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17). About Salvation Salvation from the penalty of our sins, follows the forgiveness of our sins, (1 John 1:9), adoption by God, the Father (John 1:12-13), and inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven (Revelation 21:7). Salvation is a gift from God, not something we earn in any way (Ephesians 2:8-9). We only gain salvation by submitting our life in faith (belief, trust, loyalty) to Jesus as our Lord (John 3:16; John 14:6). While we do not believe baptism in itself saves anyone (baptismal regeneration), we note the universal practice of baptism by immersion whenever an account of conversion is given in the New Testament. Consistent with New Testament teaching, we believe this baptism is the immersion of repentant believers in water identifying them with the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3). About Marriage, Gender and Sexuality God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female (Genesis 1:26-27), and that these distinct, complimentary genders together reflect the image of God. God created and sanctioned marriage to bring together these complementary genders. Marriage is between one man and one woman for life (Genesis 2:18-25). This relationship best reflects Christ’s relationship with His Church (Ephesians 5:21-33). |
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