Core Beliefs
At Sanctuary, all are welcome to attend, explore, and participate in taking steps of faith toward Christ. We recognize that doubts and questions about faith are a normal part of spiritual growth, and we do not claim to have all the answers. We do claim, however, that all the answers can be found in the person of Jesus.
Our own statements of belief herein are not intended to be comprehensive of all aspects of life and faith, but are a summary of and guide to our convictions as a “Jesus church.” Our own statements of faith are always subject to the higher authority of Scripture.
As a community of followers who have acknowledged our need and accepted the grace of Jesus Christ, we affirm these statements:
SCRIPTURE
We believe God has revealed the truth about Himself in the inerrant Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. They hold the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and are the ultimate authority by which all human endeavors should be judged.
(Matthew 4:4; John 1:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
GOD
We believe there is one eternal God who is infinitely holy, co-existing equally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that He is a being of glorious magnificence, incomparable power, infinite goodness, and unfailing love.
(Psalm 118:1; Psalm 145:1-9; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
JESUS
We believe Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He was crucified, died and was buried. On the third day He rose from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.
(John 3:16; John 20:28; Luke 1:35; Luke 23:23-25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51; Acts 1:11; Hebrews 1:3)
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe the Spirit of God dwells within each believer. He intercedes, comforts, counsels, illuminates, equips and empowers believers to be continually transformed to the image and character of Christ.
(John 14:26; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:26; Galatians 3:14; Ephesians 1:13-14)
CREATION
We believe God created the world from nothing, and governs all things, at all times, in all places.
(Genesis 1:1-31; Psalm 24:1; Colossians 1:17)
HUMANITY
We believe all human beings, born and unborn, have been created by God in His own image, and are of great value and worth beyond our ability to measure.
(Genesis 1:27, 31; Psalm 8:3-6; Psalm 139:13-14; John 3:16; Romans 5:8)
SIN
We believe, because of sin, this fallen world has pain and suffering; and, in consequence, is separated from God and justly exposed to the wrath of God.
(Genesis 3:17; Romans 3:23; Colossians 1:21; Titus 3:3)
SALVATION
We believe Jesus Christ, by His suffering and death, made atonement for all humankind. Whoever will believe and receive Him, by grace through faith, will be saved.
(Matthew 26:28; John 1:12-13; Romans 5:6-11, 18-19, 10:9-13; Colossians 2:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 10:10-14)
THE CHURCH
We believe the Church, the Body of Christ, is the community through which God chooses to reach the world with His message of love, healing, and reconciliation.
(Matthew 16:18-20; Acts 1:8; Galatians 3:28; 1 Peter 2:9)
ETERNITY
We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; the judgment at the end of the world; the endless punishment of those who have rejected Christ; and the eternal joy of those made righteous through Him.
(Mark 9.42-48; John 5.25-29; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; 2 Peter 3:8-13)
Secondary Beliefs
While Sanctuary’s core beliefs are recognized to be universal within the Church, there are secondary beliefs that distinguish who we are as a local church. All Christ-followers may not hold these beliefs, but we find them to be important and true as we understand Scripture at Sanctuary.
Complete agreement is not required for everyone to call Sanctuary home, but it is understood that we will teach, shepherd, and lead according to these beliefs that are summarized below.
BAPTISM
The baptism of believers is a public and symbolic demonstration of a person’s identification and union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism does not save; it is a public testimony of a person’s commitment to follow Christ. We follow the example found in the New Testament, where baptism follows conversion by immersion into water.
(Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:1-14; Colossians 2:9-12)
COMMUNION
Communion symbolizes the breaking of Christ’s body and the shedding of His blood on our behalf. As believers come to the table with an attitude of faith and self-examination, we remember and proclaim the death of Christ, receive spiritual nourishment for our souls, and signify our unity with Christ along with other members of Christ’s body.
(Matthew 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20; John 6:53-58; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
God has equipped believers with spiritual gifts for the purpose of glorifying Him, building up the local church, and carrying out the good works that He has prepared in advance for us to do. Spiritual gifts, as seen in the New Testament, did not cease with the death of the apostles but continue for consistent and well-ordered use in the Church today.
(Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 4:1-16)
THE ROLES OF MEN AND WOMEN
Men and women are absolutely equal in essence, dignity, and value but are distinct by divine design. As part of God’s good-created order, men and women are to have complementary roles and responsibilities. At Sanctuary, men and women are both encouraged to serve and lead in all aspects of the church; however, the office of elder and lead pastor are reserved for qualified men.
(Genesis 1:27; 1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5-9)
CHURCH STRUCTURE
Sanctuary is an autonomous church and is not governed by any other body or organization. We are Elder-led, with the Elders being men nominated by the congregation, called to shepherd, oversee the affairs of the church, guard doctrine, and discern vision. Our staff team is responsible for equipping God’s people for works of service and carrying out the day-to-day ministry of the church.
(Acts 13:1-3; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11-13; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-4)
