The following paragraphs outline fundamental beliefs held by the Forward City Church family.

 

The Bible

God wrote a book and we believe in His Word. We believe that the entire text of Scripture is the words of God and that those words are completely without error. We believe that the Bible is authoritative and is completely sufficient to understand salvation, and obedience in every aspect of life.

Scripture references: Psalms 119:1, Psalm 152; Exodus 24:7; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

The Trinity

God is Three in One. We believe that God eternally exists in three divine “persons”: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. These three are not separate from one another nor are they different modes of one person. Each are equal in essence, character, glory and power and yet are separate in expression and function.

Scripture references: Genesis 1:1, John 6:27; John, 1:1-4, Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 1:19; Acts 5:3-4, 1 Corinthians 3:16

 

Eternity

Somewhere forever. We believe in the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and in Heaven and Hell.

Scripture references: Matthew 24:29-31; Matthew 25:31-46; John 3:16, 36; Romans 6:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelations 20:4-6, 11-15

 

Humanity

God’s image bearers. We believe that man and woman were created in the image of God. Although man was created sinless, God gave him the freedom to obey or disobey God. We believe that Adam and Eve willfully sinned, and as a consequence of their disobedience, their relationship with God was ruined. Through Adam, sin entered the world. Man now stands guilty before God as a sinner, and his penalty is death.

Scripture references: Genesis 1:26; Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 3:22; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 5:12; Romans 1:21; Gen 5:3-5, Romans 6:23

 

Salvation

Jesus is the only way. We believe that the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God and it cannot be earned through our own efforts, and once received cannot be lost. We believe through Christ, the believer becomes a new creation whose mind and will are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit from loving sin, to loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and loving all people as we love ourselves.

Scripture references: Exodus 23:7; John 3:16; John 5:24; John 10:27-30; Romans 3:24; Romans 5:11; Romans 8:15, 23, 29-30, 38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Ephesians 1:4-7; Ephesians 2:8-9, 12-13; Colossians 1:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 9:12; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelations 20:11-15)

 

The Church

God’s design for community. We believe the church is a local community of believers unified through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. It is committed to the teachings of Christ, to obeying all His commands, and it seeks to bring the gospel to the world. We believe the church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ. These believers claim a personal relationship to God through Jesus Christ and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, follow the Lord in believer’s baptism, share in the Lord’s Supper, gather regularly for worship, and covenant for mutual edification and care-giving.

Scripture references: Matthew 16:15-19; Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 1:8; Acts16:30-33; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 1:22-23; Hebrews 10:23-25; James 1:27