“I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there be no divisions among you, and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.”  1 Corinthians 1:10

At Hope Church we hold to unity in central Christian beliefs: We believe and practice a faith that finds its source in the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

“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

At Hope Church we have liberty in non-essential beliefs: We believe that the Holy Spirit guides true believers to do God’s will within the boundaries of Scripture.

“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

At Hope Church we show love in all our beliefs: We believe that by showing Christ-like love to others, people can develop into the people God intends.

“If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” – 1 Corinthians.13:2

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These persons are co-equal and are also one God.

Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless human life, and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death, He ascended into Heaven’s glory to return again someday to Earth and will reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Matthew l:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and with Jesus. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17:3. Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy l:13; Psalm ll9:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

People are made in the spiritual image of God, and intended to be like Him in character. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by rebellion toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3 -6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2

Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it in order to be saved. We can never makeup for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s way to forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6,1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in his salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” your saved status. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.

John 10:29, 29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; 2 Peter 1:3-5

People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

John 3:16; John 2:25; 1 John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8; Matthew 2:44, 46

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physical or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life.

Psalm 139

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.

We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. 

We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God.

We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Hope Church as the local Body of Christ and to provide a biblical role model to the Hope Church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Hope Church in any capacity, or who become members, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. The Scripture clearly sets lifestyle boundaries for church membership that Hope Church adheres to. 

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. 

We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Hope Church.

Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:18-25; 1 Corinthians 6:18, 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 15:18-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Matthew 5:15; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31

The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Hope Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, the Board of Directors is Hope Church’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application per the Hope Bylaws.

Since God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is “What does the Bible say?” We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.

2 Timothy 3:15 

Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, group, or religious organization. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe every local church should be self-governing and independent from any denominational control.  

Colossians 1:18 

The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full-time” Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer Bible reading.

Revelation 1:6; 1 Peter 2:9 

At Hope Church, we teach and practice tithing for the support of Christ’s body, the church, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard of giving, but do not require it of our members and attenders.

Leviticus 26:30 

We practice baptism by immersion under water — the way Jesus was baptized, and the way the Bible commands.

Colossians 2:12 

We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is right.

John 15:5 

It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those with whom God brings us into contact. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to church.

1 Peter 3:15