The Beliefs of The Trinity Christian Church
The Holy Scriptures
The sole Basis of our belief is the Bible, composed of the 66 books of the Old and New Testament. We believe Scripture - in its entirety - originated with God, and that it was given through the instrumentality of chosen men. Scripture thus at one and the same time speaks with the authority of God and reflects the backgrounds, styles and vocabularies of the human authors. We hold that the Scriptures are infallible and without error in the original manuscripts. They are the unique, full and final authority on all matters of faith and practice and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God. (2 Timothy 3:16,17/ 2 Peter 1:19-21 /Revelation 22:18,19)
God
We believe there is one true, holy God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit- and that these three equally possess the same nature, attributes, and characteristics of personality. In the beginning God created out of nothing the world and all the things therein thus expressing the glory of His power, wisdom and goodness. By His sovereign power He continues to sustain His creation By His providence He is operating throughout history to fulfill His redemptive purposes. (Deuteronomy 6:4/ Matthew 28: 18,19/ John 1: 1, 14/ Acts 5 :3-4/Col. 1: 15-19/ Hebrews 1: 1-3/ Rev. 4: 11)
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the eternal second Person of the Trinity who was united forever with the true human nature by a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He lived a life of perfect sinless obedience to the Father and voluntarily paid for the sins of all by dying on the cross as their substitute, thus satisfying divine justice and accomplishing salvation for all who trust in Him alone. He rose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which He lived and died. He ascended into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of the Father, where He, the only Mediator between God and man, continually makes intercession for His own. He shall come again to earth, personally and visibly, to complete history and the eternal plan of God. Matthew 1:20 -23/ John 1:1,14,18 /John 20:11-16, 26-28/Act 1:9-11/ Romans 3:25 -31/ I Corinthians 15: 1-3/Philippians 2:5-11/Colossians 1: 13,15, 2:9/ I Timothy 2:5/ Hebrews 2: 16 -18; 4:15; 7:25, 10:11-14/ I John 2:1,2
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the eternal third person of the Trinity who was sent into the world by the Father and the Son to apply to mankind the saving work of Christ. He convicts the minds of sinners, awakening them to recognize their need of a Savior and consequently regenerates them spiritually. At the point of salvation, He permanently dwells in every believer to become the source of assurance, strength and wisdom and uniquely endows each believer with gifts for personal involvement in God's work on earth. The Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying the Scripture. His power and control are appropriated by faith, making it possible for the believer to lead a life of consistent Christ ¬like character. Thus bearing fruit to the glory of the Father. (John 14:26; 16:7-11,13/ Acts 5:3.4/ Rom. 5:5: 8:9-11/ 1 Corinthians 12:7-11/ Galatians 5:16-25/ Titus 3:5)
We believe that all gifts of the Spirit as listed in Romans 12:1-8, 1 Corinthians 12-14 and Ephesians 4: 1-16 are still in operation today. and the appropriate use of certain gifts (i.e. tongues, prophecy and healing) must be conducted with the utmost biblical integrity (1 Corinthians 14:23-33).
Satan and Angels
God created a vast number of sinless spirit-beings called angels. The function for some of these angels is to worship God. Others are sent forth to transmit messages or render service to believers. Their functions also include the power to inflict judgment upon men and-¬limited degrees-control natural forces. (Numbers 22:21-35/ Judges 6:11-36/2 Kings 19:35/ Psalm 34:7/ Daniel 10:10-13 / Matthew 1:20-24.
One of these angels sinned through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, thus becoming Satan (the Devil) When Satan fell he drew after himself a host of angels- biblically known as demons. Satan and his demonic forces are in active pursuit of unholy purposes today.
Satan is responsible for tempting man into original sin, thereby breaking man's relationship with God. Satan is the prince of this world, the father of all lies, man's great tempter and the aggressive enemy of God's kingdom. Satan is no mythical or allegory, yet a personal and real being. (Genesis 3:1-5/ Isaiah 14:12-15/ Ezekiel 28:14-17 / John 8:44,10:10/ 2 Corinthians 4:4/ Ephesians 2:2/ I Peter 5:8/2 Peter 2:4 / I John 3:8/ Revelations 12:9).
Despite Satan's power, when the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross, He limited the power of Satan and guaranteed the ultimate triumph of God (Matthew 25:41 / Colossians 2:13-15/ Revelation 20:10)
Creation of Earth and Man
The creation events as recorded in the book of Genesis actually took place in time and space, meaning they could have been marked on a calendar and map. These events are to be accepted literally, not allegorically or figuratively. Thus the worlds were framed by the word of God. In creating the worlds, God did not use preexisting materials. All things were created out of the nonphysical resources of God's omnipotence. (Genesis 1:1-25/ Exodus 20:9-11/ Hebrews 11:3)
Further, man's creation was not a matter of evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms. Instead man was created in God's own image. All animals and vegetable life were made directly by God in their currently known form. All animals and vegetables were brought into being under God's established law that they should bring forth only after their kind. (Genesis 1: 1- 27; 2:7; 2:21-23/Matthew 19:4-6/1 Corinthians 15:39)
Salvation
The central purpose of God's revelation in Scripture is to call all people into fellowship with Himself. Originally created to have fellowship with God, man defied God, choosing to go his independent way and was thus alienated from God and suffered the corruption of his nature rendering him unable to please God. The fall took place at the beginning of human history, and all individuals since have suffered these consequences and are thus in need of the saving grace of God. God has supplied that saving grace through the person of His Son ¬Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:26.27; 2:16,17; 3:6/ Romans 3:23.24: 5:12: 6:23/ Ephesians 2:1. 5)
The salvation of mankind is wholly a work of God's free grace, not the result in whole or in part of human works or goodness, and must be personally appropriated by faith in Christ and repentance. Repentance is a vital part of believing and is in no way, in itself, a separate and independent condition of salvation: nor are any other works or expressions of goodness. (John 1:12: 3:16; 5:24/ Acts 4:12/ Romans 4:4-5; 10:9,10/ Ephesians 2:8,9)
When God has begun a saving work in the heart of any person, He gives assurance in His Word that He will continue performing it until the day of its full consummation. (John 10:27-29/ Romans 8:9-11/ Eph. 1:13/ Phil. 1:6/1 John 5:11,12/2 Timothy 2:11-13)
We believe that no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless born again spiritually (from above), and that the new birth of the believer comes only through faith, which is a gift from God, in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We believe, also, that our redemption has been accomplished by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this redemption is by the grace of God, an unmerited gift, given in love by God and not the result of any human effort (works) (John 3:7-18; II Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; Romans 4:4-5 We believe that upon receiving the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, the believer passes immediately out of spiritual death into spiritual life and into fellowship with God (John 1 :12,5:24)
We also believe that once this salvation is accomplished, all true believers everywhere shall be kept saved forever more. (John 10:28-29; Romans 3:24, 8:35-39; II Timothy 2:11-13; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:5,8-9)
The Church
We believe that the explicit message of our Lord Jesus Christ to those whom He has saved is to make Christ known to the world and that this is the purpose of the Church through the individuals within it (Matthew 28: 18-19; Acts 1 :8; II Corinthians 5: 11-21)
We believe that local churches, such as the Trinity Christian Church, gather together for worship of a True and Living God, for practical instruction in the Scriptures, for fellowship with God and with other believers, and for corporate (bodily) witness to the unsaved world. Our common spiritual goal is to grow toward Christ's likeness (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:5; Ephesians 4:13-16).
The result of union with Jesus Christ is that all believers become members of His Body, the church. There is one true church universal (invisible and not limited to buildings or earthly institutions), comprised of all those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The Scripture commands believers to come together regularly to devote themselves to worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, observance of baptism and communion. The Scripture also calls each believer to responsible service to the church through the developments and use of talents and gifts, and outreach to the world. Wherever God's people meet regularly in obedience to these Scriptural mandates, there is the local expression of the church. Under the watch care of elders and other supportive leadership, its members are to work together in love and unity, intent on the one ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ. (Acts 2:41-47/ Romans 12:5/ Ephesians 4:11-16/ 1 Corinthians 12:12-27/ Hebrew 10:24,2513:7,17/1 Peter 5: 1-4)
The Return of Christ and the Rapture of the Church
As Christians, we live with the glorious hope and expectation of the return of Jesus Christ. His return will be both personal and visible. When Jesus returns, He has promised to rapture His waiting church; that is to receive to Himself into heaven those Christians who are alive and resurrect those Christians who have died. He will at that time give them glorified bodies and translate them into His presence to be with Him forever. (John 14: 1-3/ Acts 1: 1111 Corinthians 15:51-54/ 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18/ Titus 2: 13/ Revelation 1:7) Scripture tells us there will be a future period of tribulation on earth, lasting seven years. It is also referred to as the time of Jacob's trouble. At the end of this seven year period the Lord Jesus will establish His kingdom on earth where He will reign for one thousand years. After that the heavens and earth as we know them will be destroyed and a new heaven and earth will be ushered in where the Lord and His children will abide throughout all eternity. (Jeremiah 30:7/ Zechariah 14:4-11/ Matthew 24:3-44/ 2 Peter 3:10-13/ Revelation 3:10; 7:14; 20; 22:1-5)
Eternal State
Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. At death the spirits and souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation pass immediately into His presence and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the glorified body when Christ returns to rapture His church. For those who did not trust in Christ, at death their spirits and souls immediately pass into a state of eternal punishments, anticipating a final day of judgments when their bodies will also be resurrected. (Luke 16:19-26/2 Corinthians 5:8). For all mankind, there will be a resurrection of the body into the spiritual world, and a judgment that will determine the fate of each individual. For those who did not exercise faith in Jesus Christ, there will be an eternal separation from God and subjection to eternal punishment. For those who did exercise faith in Jesus Christ, there will be eternal communion with God and they will be rewarded for deeds of righteousness done in this life. (Matthew 25:31-46/2 Thessalonians 1:8,9/ Hebrews 9:27/ Revelation 20:11-15; 21:1-27)
Church Ordinances
Our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper to be observed by all believers until His return. (Matthew 3:13-17; 28:19/ Luke 22:19-20/ Acts 10:47-48)
The act of Christian Baptism is immersion of the believer in water to show forth a solemn and beautiful expression of our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior. (Romans 6:3-5/ Acts 8:26 - 39)
The Lord's Supper serves as a memorial service in which the elements of the bread and cup remind us of the love of God that was especially expressed through the death burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. (Matthew 26:26-30/ Acts 2:41-42) We believe that the Lord's Supper is a privilege afforded to all believers in commemoration of our Lord's death until He comes. (I Corinthians 11:23-28)
Christian Conduct
We believe that all believers should seek to walk by the Spirit, separating themselves from worldly practices and witnessing by life and by word to the truths of the Holy Scriptures. (Romans 12:1-3; Galatians 5:16, 25; II Corinthians 3:10-17)
We believe that all believers will be judged at the judgment seat (Bema) of Christ and rewarded based on their faithful obedience to Him in this life. (I Corinthians 3: 1 0-17)
A genuine expression of faith in Jesus Christ is marked by a life of holiness and obedience attained by believers as they submit to the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity. Though works do not save a person. a healthy salvation response is always accompanied with repentance and a sincere desire to follow and serve the Lord. Evidence of the Holy Spirit residing in us is a desire to strive for Christian maturity. The mature Christian life is one characterized by victory and freedom from sin. along with a continual pursuit to be holy even as our Father in Heaven is holy. (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:19-26,Ephesians 2:10; 4:17-5:17, James 2:17, 24,1 Peter 1:15, 1 John 2.3)
Tithing
To tithe is to faithfully give ten percent of one's income directly to God's kingdom work. The tithe can best be described as a biblical pattern of giving. Tithing was an act performed by God's people as a way of acknowledging the blessings of the Lord in one's life. Genesis 28: 22 Malachi 3: 8 - 12 (2 Corinthians 8: 1-7)
Tithing is a God-ordained percentage that God has always expected His people to give directly to His kingdom work. It is given out of a heart of worship and gratitude, not legalism. It is a divine standard that transcends any given time period. Whether before the law, during the law or in the church age. Moreover in the church age, the examples of believers giving patterns show that they gave more than a tenth. Therefore, we can conclude that the starting point for sacrificial giving among New Testament believers is ten percent.
Though we encourage the tithe from our members, we do not demand it. It is required for those who carry formal leadership in the church to tithe, because we believe it is important for the leaders to model the things we expect from the members.
Tongues
We hold to the view that all the gifts of the Spirit as listed in Ephesians 4, I Corinthians 12 & Romans 12 still exist. The bible clearly teaches us not to forbid speaking with tongues (I Corinthians 14:39). However, Paul also gives clear guidelines and restrictions for the use of the gift of tongues. Based on the guidelines and restrictions listed in I Corinthians 14, as a rule we discourage the speaking of tongues in our general worship assemblies Based on the teachings of I Corinthians 14:2, we hold to the view that tongue is primarily a gift to be used in private prayer. Tongues brought forth publicly without an interpreter only serves to edify the one speaking and not others who hear (I Corinthians 14: 4,5 18, 19, 28) In keeping with the spirit of I Corinthians 14:23 - 25, we place a strong emphasis on the intelligible speaking gifts (e.g. prophecy, teaching). When the intelligible speaking gifts are used in public services it maximizes God's purposes being fulfilled for everyone present; whether they are a member of our church, a visitor who is saved or a visitor who is not saved
Marriage
We believe that marriage as defined by Scripture in the book of Genesis consist of a union between one man and one woman. We also believe that alternative lifestyles (homosexuality, lesbianism, etc.) are inconsistent with the will of God (Lev. 18:22, Rom. 1:26,27). While it is a sin, it is no more of a sin than any other sin. Although God hates the practice, He still loves the sinner and desires full restoration. We therefore fully embrace all those who fall short in this area as we embrace all who fall short of God's glory.