OUR BELIEFS
Our mission is To invite all people, regardless of age, ethnicity, and background, to be formed into the image of Jesus in order that we might love our neighbors in Indianapolis and around the world.
These statements are the Biblical teachings that sit behind who we are as a church community and motivate how we live our lives as the Body of Christ.
THE TRINITY
A cornerstone for the Christian experience is the presence of the Divine Trinity, the three unique manifestations of the fullness of God. These manifestations are God as Creator, God as Jesus Christ, God as Holy Spirit. These three beings have the same nature, are co-equal, and exist in community with Itself in constant submission to and displaying sacrificial love for each other.
John 1:1-4
GOD AS CREATOR
God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of everything that exists. While referred to in Scripture under many names, The Creator is most commonly referred to as “Father.”
Genesis 1 & 2; John 14:15-21; Colossians 1:15-20
GOD AS JESUS CHRIST
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He was God in the flesh, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
Matthew 1:18-25; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-4
GOD AS HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the present and active Being and power of God that fills and comforts those obedient to Jesus Christ and empowers and guides God’s people to live into the mission of the Kingdom of God.
Genesis 1:1-2; Joel 2:28-29; John 14:15-21; Acts 1:7-8; Romans 8; I Corinthians 12; Galatians 5:16-26
SALVATION AND THE GOSPEL
God created humankind in the image and likeness of God and sees all of creation as inherently valuable. Because of this love for humanity and creation, God came as Jesus incarnate to save us from the effects of sin and death. The incarnation of Jesus, His death, and His resurrection rescued humanity from communal and individual sins. Cosmically, this is God’s redeeming activity to return creation to its original state and to bring all things together under Christ. We call this movement of God the Gospel, the good news of Jesus which brings us salvation. Salvation is an ongoing work of Christ to forgive us from sin, to restore our community, and ultimately glorify God in our originally-intended state. This is an act of grace which is a free gift from God out of love through faith.
Romans 3:10-24; Ephesians 2:1-10, Genesis 3:13-17; Romans 5:12-13; I Corinthians 15:22; Isaiah 53; I Corinthians 15:1-8
THE BIBLE
The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, are inspired by God and are the Divine authority for all Christian faith and life.
Psalm 119:9-16; II Timothy 3:16-17; Isaiah 40:8
SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST
The return of Jesus is to be eagerly anticipated. Godly men and women hold a number of views concerning the return of Jesus Christ. These are matters of scriptural interpretation and should not be used as a test of faith or fellowship.
I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:20-28
THE ETERNAL STATE
Those who are “in Christ” have already been raised with Christ and are seated in the heavenly place where Christ is. Eternity is already under way, and we are awaiting the time when Jesus will return to finish what He started and make all things new. Those who have trusted Jesus and died before Christ’s return will be raised back to life and given new bodies that are equipped for their eternal existence in this new creation. Those who have rejected Jesus in this age will spend eternity apart from Him.
I Corinthians 15:20-28; Hebrews 9:27-28; II Corinthians 5:1-10; Ephesians 2:1-10
MARRIAGE
We recognize that all persons are made in the image of God and are to reflect that image in the community of believers, in home and in society. We believe in the family, celibate singleness, and faithful heterosexual marriage as the patterns God designed for us.
Genesis 1:26-28
EQUALITY
We recognize that the church’s role is to demonstrate the heart of Jesus’ prayer and actions for unity. To that end, we strive to create an environment of worship and congregational life that makes room for people of all genders, ethnicities, backgrounds, and socioeconomic status to participate as equal members of our church families.
We are also active in word and deed in our city to bring awareness to our racialized world, denounce hatred of all kinds, and to offer a tangible alternative through the teachings of Jesus. We believe that men and women are equally eligible to fill any leadership role in the church provided they are Biblically qualified.
John 17:20-23, 2 Corinthians 5:11-21; Ephesians 2:14-21, Galatians 3:26-29
BAPTISM
In baptism, a believer participates in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is raised to walk with Him in a new kind of life, is freed from bondage to sin and death, and is empowered to walk in God's grace. Baptism is integral to one’s relationship with Christ.
Matthew 28:19; John 3:23; Acts 2:38, 8:38, 22:16; Romans 6:1-14; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12
HOLY COMMUNION
Communion (Lord's Supper, Eucharist) is a historic and Biblical ritual of remembrance that Jesus instituted at his last Passover meal with his disciples. Jesus said that whenever His followers took the bread and the cup, they would be remembering Him. All who look to Jesus for God’s grace and mercy are invited to this table we proclaim His death together. It is our custom to practice this sacrament as a church body weekly.
Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-38; John 13:1-30
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT OUR MINISTRY OF RACIAL RECONCILIATION, CHECK OUT OUR GOSPEL + RACE PAGE HERE!