BUILDING THE KINGDOM COMMUNITY CHURCH
MISSION
A Real People. A Real Church. A Real Pastor. A Real Love.
BELIEFS
THEME VERSE
1 John 3:18-20 (The Message)
My dear children, let's not just talk about love, Let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater that our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.
VISION
To Become a Community of People Living, Learning and Loving through the word of God
BELIEFS
Prevenient Grace
7. We believe that the human race’s creation in Godlikeness included ability to choose between right and wrong, and that thus human beings were made morally responsible; that through the fall of Adam they became depraved so that they cannot now turn and prepare themselves by their own natural strength and works to faith and calling upon God. But we also believe that the grace of God through Jesus Christ is freely bestowed upon all people, enabling all who will to turn from sin to righteousness, believe-on Jesus Christ for pardon and cleansing from sin, and follow good works pleasing and acceptable in His sight. We believe that all persons, though in the possession of the experience of regeneration and entire sanctification, may fall from grace and apostatize and, unless they repent of their sins, be hopelessly and eternally lost.
(Godlikeness and moral responsibility: Genesis 1:26-27; 2:16-17; Deuteronomy 28:1-2; 30:19; Joshua 24:15;
Psalm 8:3-5; Isaiah 1:8-10; Jeremiah 31:29-30; Ezekiel 18:1-4; Micah 6:8; Romans 1:19-20; 2:1-16; 14:7-12; Galatians 6:7-8)
(Natural inability: Job 14:4; 15:14; Psalms 14:1-4; 51:5; John 3:6a; Romans 3:10-12; 5:12-14, 20a; 7:14-25)
(Free grace and works of faith: Ezekiel 18:25-26; John 1:12-13; 3:6b; Acts 5:31; Romans 5:6-8, 18; 6:15-16, 23; 10:6-8; 11:22;
1 Corinthians 2:9-14; 10: 1-12; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Galatians 5:6; Ephesians 2:8-10;
Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:21-23; 2 Timothy 4:10a; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:12-15; 6:4-6; 10:26-31;
James 2:18-22; 2 Peter 1:I0-11; 2:20-22)
Repentance
8. We believe that the repentance, which is sincere and through change of the mind in regard to sin, involving a sense of personal guilt and a voluntary turning away from sin, is demanded of all who have by act or purpose become sinners against God. The Spirit of God gives to all who will repent the gracious help of penitence of heart and hope of mercy, that they may believe unto pardon and spiritual life.
(2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 32:5-6; 51:1-17; Isaiah 55:6-7; Jeremiah 3:12-14; Ezekiel 18:30-33; 33:14-16; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 3:1-14; 13:1-5; 18:9-14; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 17:30; 26:16-18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9)
Justification, Regeneration, and Adoption
9. We believe that justification is the gracious and judicial act of God by which he grants full pardon of all guilt and complete release from the penalty of sins committed, and acceptance as righteousness, to all who believe in Jesus Christ and receive Him as Lord and Savior.
9.1 We believe that regeneration, or the new birth, is that gracious work of God whereby the moral nature of the repentant believer is spiritually quickened and given a distinctively spiritual life capable of spiritual life, capable of faith, love and obedience.
9.2 We believe that adoption is that gracious act of God by which the justified and regenerated believer is constituted a son of God.
9.3 We believe that justification, regeneration, and adoption are simultaneous in the experience of seekers after God and are obtained upon the condition of faith, proceeded by repentance; and that to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness.
(Luke 18:14; John 1:12-13; 3:3-8; 5:24; Acts 13:29; Romans 1:17; 3:21-26, 28; 4:5-9, 17-25; 5:1, 16-19; 6:4; 7:6; 8:1, 15-17; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 2:16-21; 3:1-14, 26; 4:4-7; Ephesians 1:6-7; 2:1, 4-5; Philippians 3:3-9; Colossians 2:13; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter:23; 1 John 1:9; 3-2, 9: 4:7; 5:1, 9-13, 18)
Christian Holiness and Entire Sanctification
10. We believe that sanctification is the work of God which transforms believes into the likeness of Christ. It is brought by God's grace through the Holy Spirit in initial sanctification, or regeneration (simultaneous with justification), entire sanctification, and the continued perfecting work of the Holy Spirit culminating in glorification. In glorification we are fully conformed to the image of the Son. We believe that entire sanctification is that act of God, subsequent to regeneration, by which believers are made free from original sin, or depravity, and brought into a state of entire devotement to God, and the holy obedience of love made perfect. It is wrought by the baptism with or infilling of the HolySpirit, and comprehends in one experience the cleansing of the heart from sin and the abiding, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer for life and service. Entire sanctification is provided by the blood of Jesus, is wrought instantaneously by grace through faith, preceded by entire consecration; and to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness.
This experience is also known by various terms representing its different phases, such as "Christian perfection," "perfect love," "heart purity," "the baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirit," "the fullness of the blessing," and "Christian holiness."
10.1. We believe that there is a marked distinction between a pure heart and a mature character. The former is obtained in an instant, the result of entire sanctification; the latter is the result of growth in grace. We believe that the grace of entire sanctification includes the divine impulse to grow in grace as a Christlike disciple. However, this impulse must be consciously nurtured, and careful attention given to the requisites and processes of spiritual development and improvement in Christlikeness of character and personality. Without such purposeful endeavor, one's witness may be impaired and the grace itself frustrated and ultimately lost. Participating in the means of grace, especially the fellowship, disciplines, and sacraments of the Church, believers grow in grace and in wholehearted love to God and neighbor.
(Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Malachi 3:2-3; Matthew 3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17; John 7:37-39; 14:15-23; 17:6-20; Acts 1:5; 2: 1-4; 15:8-9; Romans 6:1-13, 19; 8:1-4, 8-14; 12: 1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Galatians 2:20; 5:16-25; Ephesians 3:14 21; 5:17-18, 25-27; Philippians 3:10-15; Colossians 3:1-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews4:9-11; 10:10-17; 12:1-2; 13:12; 1 John 1:7, 9) ("Christian perfection," "perfect love": Deuteronomy 30:6; Matthew 5:43-48; 22:37-40; Romans 12:9-21; 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13; Philippians 3:10-15; Hebrews 6:1; 1 John 4:17-18 "Heart purity": Matthew 5:8; Acts 15:8-9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:3 "Baptism with the Holy Spirit": Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Malachi 3:2-3; Matthew 3:11-12; Luke3:16-17; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 15:8-9 "Fullness of the blessing": Romans 15:29 "Christian holiness": Matthew 5:1-7:29; John 15: 1-11; Romans 12:1-15:3; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4: 17-5:20; Philippians 1:9-11; 3:12-15; Colossians 2:20-3: 17; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:7-8; 5:23; 2 Timothy 2:19-22; Hebrews 10:19-25; 12:14; 13:20-21; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Peter 1:1-11; 3:18; Jude 20-21)
The Church
11. We believe in the Church, the community t at confesses Jesus Christ as Lord, the covenant people of God made new in Christ, the Body of Christ called together by the Holy Spirit through the Word.
God calls the Church to express its life in the unity and fellowship of the Spirit; in worship through the preaching of the Word, observance of the sacraments, and ministry in His name; by obedience to Christ, holy living, and mutual accountability.
The mission of the Church in the world is to share in the redemptive and reconciling ministry of Christ in the power of the Spirit. The Church fulfills its mission by making disciples through evangelism, education, showing compassion, working for justice, and bearing witness to the kingdom of God.
The Church is a historical reality that organizes itself in culturally conditioned forms, exists both as local congregations and as a universal body, and also sets apart persons called of God for specific ministries. God calls the Church to live under His rule in anticipation of the consummation at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Exodus 19:3; Jeremiah 31:33; Matthew 8: 11; 10:7; 16:13-19, 24; 18:15-20; 28:19-20; John 17:14-26; 20:21-23; Acts 1:7-8; 2:32-47; 6:1-2; 13:1; 14:23; Romans 2:28-29; 4:16; 10:9-15; 11:13-32; 12:1-8; 15:1-3; 1 Corinthians 3:5-9; 7:17; 11:1, 17-33; 12:3, 12-31; 14:26-40; 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:1; Galatians 5:6, 13-14; 6:1-5, 15; Ephesians 4:1-17; 5:25-27; Philippians 2:1-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; 1 Timothy 4:13; Hebrews 10:19-25; 1 Peter 1:1-2, 13; 2:4-12, 21; 4:1-2, 10-11; 1 John 4:17; Jude24; Revelation 5:9-10)
Baptism
12. We believe that Christian baptism, commanded by our Lord, is a sacrament signifying acceptance of the benefits of the atonement of Jesus Christ, to be administered to believers and declarative of their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior, and full purpose of obedience in holiness and righteousness.
Baptism being a symbol of the new covenant, young children may be baptized, upon request of parents or guardians who shall give assurance for them of necessary Christian training.
Baptism may be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, according to the choice of the applicant.
(Matthew 3:1-7; 28:16-20; Acts 2:37-41; 8:35-39; 10:44-48; 16:29-34; 19: I-6;
Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-28; Colossians 2: 12; I Peter 3: 18-22)
The Lord’s Supper
13. We believe that the Memorial and Communion Supper instituted by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is essentially a New Testament sacrament, declarative of His sacrificial death, through the merits of which believers have life and salvation and promise of all spiritual blessings in Christ. It is distinctively for those who are prepared for reverent appreciation of its significance, and by it they show forth the Lord's death till He come again. It being the Communion feast, only those who have faith in Christ and love for the saints should be called to participate therein.
(Exodus 12:1-14; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 4:22-25; Luke 22:17-20; John 6:28-58; 1 Corinthians 10:14-21; 11:23-32)
Divine Healing
14. We believe in the Bible doctrine of divine healing and urge our people to offer the prayer of faith for the healing of the sick. We also believe God heals through the means of medical science.
(2 Kings 5:1-19; Psalm 103:1-5; Matthew 4:23-24; 9:18-35; John 4:46-54; Acts 5:12-16; 9:32-42;
14:8-15; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; James 5:13-16)
Second Coming of Christ
15. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will come again; that we who are alive at His coming shall not precede them that are asleep in Christ Jesus; but that, if we are abiding in Him, we shall be caught up with the risen saints to meet the Lord in the air,
so that we shall ever be with the Lord.
(Matthew 25:31-46; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18;
Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 9:26-28; 2 Peter 3:3-15; Revelation 1:7-8; 22:7-20)
Resurrection, Judgement, and Destiny
16. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, that the bodies both of the just and of the unjust shall be raised to life and united with their spirits-"they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
16.1. We believe in future judgment in which every person shall appear before God to be judged according to his or her deeds in this life.
16.2. We believe that glorious and everlasting life is assured to all who savingly believe in, and obediently follow, Jesus Christ our Lord; and that the finally impenitent shall suffer eternally in hell.
(Genesis 18:25; 1 Samuel 2:10; Psalm 50:6; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 25:31-46; Mark 9:43-48;
Luke 16:19-31; 20:27-38; John 3:16-18; 5:25-29; 11:21-27; Acts 17:30-31; Romans 2:1-16; 14:7-12;
1 Corinthians 15:12-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20: 11-15; 22:1-15)
CORE VALUES
Our Commitment to God
We seek to “love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves." He is Lord of our church and we endeavor to make him Lord of our personal lives. We commit ourselves to faithfully join together in worship,
giving attention to the Sacraments, the reading of Scripture, and prayer.
We avoid taking his name in vain and earnestly strive not to willfully break any of His commandments.
(Deuteronomy 6:5; Exodus 20:3-7; Romans 15:6; Hebrews 10:24-25)
Our Commitment to the Family
We commit ourselves to honor Christ in every place of family life. In this day and time, Christian marriage and family must be protected. Therefore, we follow two principles: commitment and compassion. We affirm that marriage is a lifelong commitment. Our second principle is compassion. We want to have the compassion of Christ in ministering to the needs and healing of pain of those who have been involved in the dissolution of a marriage.
(Genesis I :26-28; Ephesians 5:21-6:4; Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 5:32, 19:3-9; I Corinthians 7:15; 2 Corinthians 2:5-8)
Our Commitment to Growth and Christian Holiness
We joyfully commit ourselves to spiritual growth. We covenant together to seek completeness in Christ Jesus. We have received Christ by faith and we commit ourselves to ever-increasing faith and dependence on God.
To this end, the Church of the Nazarene has developed three General Rules to give guidance in applying Christ's love in our hearts to the practical situations of daily living.
Essential, they are: Experience everything that is positive. Lay aside everything that is negative. The bottom line is relationships.
These three rules are summarized in Scripture: "Run from anything that gives you ... evil thoughts ... but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right. Have faith and love, and enjoy the companionship of those who love the Lord and have pure hearts."
(2 Timothy 2:22, TLB)
Recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, we earnestly desire to be cleansed from all indwelling sin. Anything that might hinder our witness, our productivity or our bodies, we seek to avoid, including sexual immorality, dishonesty in any form, and drug abuse and addiction. As a church, we take a social stand against such misuse and abuse by abstaining from the practice. In this regard, for the sake of this generation and future generations, we protest the misuse and abuse of drugs in their various forms, including recreational drugs, prescription medications, alcohol as a beverage, and tobacco. Our people join us in our protest by abstaining from the misuse of drugs, and the use of alcoholic beverages and tobacco.
In dealing with special guidelines, there are three concepts we must keep in mind:
guidelines are instructive and not legalistic, the church family is to encourage, not enforce
legalistically; a church member is to follow guidelines conscientiously, not legalistically.
We are not legalistic, but we are serious about living holy lives.
We covenant to be ever-growing and conforming to Christ in our dress, our conduct, in
the things we read, watch on TV or listen to. We purpose to avoid music, literature, or
entertainments that dishonor God.
(Corinthians 9:24; Colossians 2:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, 5:21-22;
1 Timothy 4:15-16; 1 Corinthians 6:10-19)
Our Commitment to the Church
A. Unity within our fellowship - We covenant together to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). We will be courteous and helpful to one another; "in love forbearing one another."
We strive not to allow bitterness, anger, jealousy, quarreling, gossiping, or slander to drive a wedge in our relationships with one another, thus deterring us from our purpose.
(Romans 12:16-21,15:5-7; 1 Corinthians 1:10,12:25-27;
Ephesians 4:31-32)
B. Building up one another - We commit ourselves to the pursuit of"the things
which make for peace and the building up of one another" (Romans 14: 19). Together, we seek to do good to the bodies and souls of people; feed the hungry; clothe the naked; visit the sick and imprisoned; and minister to the needy.
By our words, actions, and attitudes, we will seek to encourage, comfort, and edify our brothers and sisters in Christ.
(Philippians 2:1-4; Ephesians 4:29; Romans 12:10 & 13;
1 Thessalonians 5:11)
C. The support of our church - We commit ourselves to the support of the church
and her ministry, witness, and outreach through regular and consistent giving.
(Malachi 3: 1 0; I Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7)
D. Abiding in hearty fellowship with the Church - We strive to this end, and
refuse to work against the doctrines and usages of the church, but to be
wholly committed and actively involved in its continuing witness and outreach.
E. Service and ministry in the name of Jesus - We covenant together "while we
have opportunity, to do good to all ... , and especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6: 10). As a church, and as individuals, we commit ourselves to serve God by serving His people.
"We commit ourselves to be involved in some area of ministry."
Together we will seek to share the story of why Jesus came, and invite others to join us in our walk with Jesus,
and to worship him with us at Building the Kingdom Community Church, as true "fishers of men."
The Triune God
1. We believe in one eternally existent, infinite God, Sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the universe; that He only is God, holy in nature, attributes, and purpose. The God who is holy love and light is Triune in essential being, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
(Genesis 1; Leviticus 19:2; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Isaiah 5:16; 6:1-7; 40:18-31; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19-20; John 14:6-27; 1 Corinthians8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:4-6; Ephesians2:13-18; 1 John 1:5;4:8)
Jesus Christ
2. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Triune Godhead; that He was eternally one with the Father; that He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary, so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say the Godhead and manhood, are thus united in one Person very God and very man, the God-man.
We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and that He truly arose from the dead and took again His body, together with all things appertaining to the perfection of man's nature, wherewith He ascended into heaven and is there engaged in intercession for us.
(Matthew 1:20-25; 16: 15-16; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1-18; Acts 2:22-36; Romans 8:3, 32-34; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:12-22; 1 Timothy 6: 14-16; Hebrews 1:1-5; 7:22-28; 9:24-28; 1 John 1:1-3; 4:2-3,15)
The Holy Spirit
3. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Triune Godhead, that He is ever present and efficiently active in and with the Church of Christ, convincing the world of sin, regenerating those who repent and believe, sanctifying believers, and guiding into all truth as it is in Jesus.
(John 7:39; 14:15-18, 26; 16:7-15; Acts 2:33; 15:8-9; Romans 8:1-27; Galatians 3:1-14; 4:6; Ephesians 3: 14-21;
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 3:24; 4:13)
The Holy Scripture
4. We believe in the plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, by which we understand the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, given by divine inspiration, inerrantly revealing the will of God concerning us in all things necessary to our salvation, so that whatever is not contained therein is not to be enjoined as an article of faith.
(Luke 24:44-47; John 10:35; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:10-12; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
Sin, Original and Personal
5. We believe that sin came into the world through the disobedience of our first parents, and death by sin. We believe that sin is of two kinds: original sin or depravity, and actual or personal sin.
5.1. We believe that original sin, or depravity, is that corruption of the nature of all the offspring of Adam by reason of which everyone is very far gone from original righteousness or the pure state of our first parents at the time of their creation, is averse to God, is without spiritual life, and inclined to evil, and that continually. We further believe that original sin continues to exist with the new life of the regenerate, until the heart is fully cleansed by the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
5.2. We believe that original sin differs from actual sin in that it constitutes an inherited propensity to actual sin for which no one is accountable until its divinely provided remedy is neglected or rejected.
5.3. We believe that actual or personal sin is a voluntary violation of a known law of God by a morally responsible person. It is therefore not to be confused with involuntary and inescapable shortcomings, infirmities, faults, mistakes, failures, or other deviations from a standard of perfect conduct that are the residual effects of the Fall. However, such innocent effects do not include attitudes or responses contrary to the spirit of Christ, which may properly be called sins of the spirit. We believe that personal sin is primarily and essentially a violation of the law of love; and that in relation to Christ sin may be defined as unbelief.
(Original sin: Genesis 3; 6:5; Job 15:14; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Mark 7:21-23; Romans 1:18-25; 5:12-14; 7:1-8:9; I Corinthians 3:1-4; Galatians 5:16-25; 1 John 1:7-8) (Personal sin: Matthew 22:36-40 {with 1 John 3:4};
John 8:34-36; 16:8-9; Romans 3:23; 6:15-23; 8:18-24; 14:23; 1 John 1:9-2:4; 3:7-10)
Atonement
6. We believe that Jesus Christ, by His sufferings, by the shedding of His own blood, and by His death on the Cross, made a full atonement for all human sin, and that this Atonement is the only ground of salvation, and that it is sufficient for every individual of Adam's race. The Atonement is graciously efficacious for the salvation of those incapable of moral responsibility and for the children in innocency but is efficacious for the salvation of those who reach the age of responsibility only when they repent and believe.
(Isaiah 53:5-6,11; Mark 10:45; Luke 24:46-48; John 1:29; 3:14-17; Acts 4:10-12; Romans 3:21-26; 4:17-25; 5:6-21; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Galatians 1:3-4; 3:13-14; Colossians 1:19-23; 1 Timothy 2:3-6;
Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:9; 9:11-14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:18-21; 2:19-25; 1 John 2:1-2)