Beliefs
ABOUT GOD
We believe in the one ever-living, eternal God: infinite in power, holy in nature, attributes and purpose, and possessing absolute, indivisible deity. This one true God has revealed Himself as Father in creation; through His Son, in redemption; and as the Holy Spirit by regeneration.
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10, 44:6; Ephesians 4:5-6; I Corinthians 8:4,6; James 2:19; Revelation 4:2)
ABOUT THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, a divine revelation from God to man. We accept the Scriptures as the supreme source and final authority in all matters of faith and conduct. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error and is not subject to our own private interpretations.
(II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 19:7-10)
ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
We believe that the one true God, Jehovah of the Old Testament, took upon himself the form of a man and was born to the virgin Mary. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life, was crucified on Calvary for our sins, and bodily rose from the grave.
Jesus, in His humanity, was man; and in His deity, He was and is God. His flesh was the lamb or the sacrifice of God for our sins. He is the only mediator between God and man. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
We believe that through His death and life, we have personal salvation and power for victorious living.
(Matt 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14; John 14:10-30; I Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:14-16; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; Colossians
2:9; John 20:28; I Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:15)
ABOUT SALVATION
We believe that all men have sinned and require redemption. We receive salvation not by our own merit but by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are made partakers of this salvation through obeying the Gospel in repentance from our sins, baptism in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and by receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. (Luke 24:45-49; John 3:1-5, Acts 2:38)
We are baptized by this one Spirit into the Body of Christ.
(Romans 5:1, 6:1-6, 6:17, 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Acts 2:38, 1 Corinthians 12:13)
There is no salvation outside of obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12; Titus 3:5; II Corinthians 5:17; Luke 13:3; I Peter 3:21; Romans 8:1-16)
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is active in the world today, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the initial evidence of speaking with other tongues and His accompanying gifts, is the privilege of all New Testament believers. The Holy Spirit provided the Christian with the power to live, understand spiritual truth, and guide in doing what is right. (John 16:7-13, 14: 16-18; Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2:38-39; II Corinthians 3:17; I Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:25)
ABOUT THE CHURCH
We believe the Church has been “called out” of the world to be a habitation of God through the Spirit. As the body of Christ on earth, the church offers hope to mankind. The church is composed of many members, diverse in their gifts and callings of the Holy Spirit. God has ordained church government and gives various ministries, roles, tasks or offices. (I Peter 2:9; I Corinthians 12:12-31; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 2:22; I Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:17)
ABOUT ETERNITY
We believe that people were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. We believe that Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16; John 14:1-3; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17- 18; I Corinthians 2:7-9; Revelation 20:15; Titus 2:13; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Philippians 3:20-21; I Corinthians 15:51-54; Revelation 22:17, 20)
LIFESTYLE STATEMENT
Beliefs are not worth much unless they are translated into actions. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following six practices:
BIBLE AS OUR SOLE AUTHORITY
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” II Timothy 3:15
Since God’s Word is the only reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. When faced with a decision, our first question 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.
PRIESTHOOD OF EVERY BELIEVER
“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests...” Revelation 1:5-6 “
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood...” 1 Peter 2:9
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 and Bible reading.
TITHING
“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.
- Malachi 3:8-10
“And all the tithe of the land…it is holy unto the Lord.” Leviticus 27:30
At Extraordinary Church, we practice tithing to support Christ’s body, the church, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard of giving. Tithing is not the same as giving an offering. The ten percent tithe belongs to God, and anything we give above is an offering.
SPIRIT-LED LIVING
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” - Romans 8:13-14
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17- For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” Galatians 5:16-17
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. (Philippians 2:13, Ephesians 5:18)
PERSONAL HOLINESS
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
God calls His people to be holy (set apart) from the world. We are called to keep our- selves unspotted from the world and not conform to the world’s way of thinking. (II Corinthians 6:17, James 1:27, Romans 12:2)
We practice modesty, moderation, and moral purity in our lifestyle because our bodies are the temple of God. (I Corinthians 6:19-20, Revelation 3:18, I Corinthians 5:1-13, 6:15-18)
TELLING OTHERS ABOUT CHRIST
“Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.” 1 Peter 3:15
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those with whom God brings us into contact. Sharing our faith is not only the words we say but also the life we live in front of others. We should use every opportunity to influence others toward Christ and His church.
We believe in the one ever-living, eternal God: infinite in power, holy in nature, attributes and purpose, and possessing absolute, indivisible deity. This one true God has revealed Himself as Father in creation; through His Son, in redemption; and as the Holy Spirit by regeneration.
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10, 44:6; Ephesians 4:5-6; I Corinthians 8:4,6; James 2:19; Revelation 4:2)
ABOUT THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, a divine revelation from God to man. We accept the Scriptures as the supreme source and final authority in all matters of faith and conduct. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error and is not subject to our own private interpretations.
(II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 19:7-10)
ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
We believe that the one true God, Jehovah of the Old Testament, took upon himself the form of a man and was born to the virgin Mary. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life, was crucified on Calvary for our sins, and bodily rose from the grave.
Jesus, in His humanity, was man; and in His deity, He was and is God. His flesh was the lamb or the sacrifice of God for our sins. He is the only mediator between God and man. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
We believe that through His death and life, we have personal salvation and power for victorious living.
(Matt 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14; John 14:10-30; I Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:14-16; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; Colossians
2:9; John 20:28; I Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:15)
ABOUT SALVATION
We believe that all men have sinned and require redemption. We receive salvation not by our own merit but by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are made partakers of this salvation through obeying the Gospel in repentance from our sins, baptism in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and by receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. (Luke 24:45-49; John 3:1-5, Acts 2:38)
We are baptized by this one Spirit into the Body of Christ.
(Romans 5:1, 6:1-6, 6:17, 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Acts 2:38, 1 Corinthians 12:13)
There is no salvation outside of obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12; Titus 3:5; II Corinthians 5:17; Luke 13:3; I Peter 3:21; Romans 8:1-16)
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is active in the world today, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the initial evidence of speaking with other tongues and His accompanying gifts, is the privilege of all New Testament believers. The Holy Spirit provided the Christian with the power to live, understand spiritual truth, and guide in doing what is right. (John 16:7-13, 14: 16-18; Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2:38-39; II Corinthians 3:17; I Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:25)
ABOUT THE CHURCH
We believe the Church has been “called out” of the world to be a habitation of God through the Spirit. As the body of Christ on earth, the church offers hope to mankind. The church is composed of many members, diverse in their gifts and callings of the Holy Spirit. God has ordained church government and gives various ministries, roles, tasks or offices. (I Peter 2:9; I Corinthians 12:12-31; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 2:22; I Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:17)
ABOUT ETERNITY
We believe that people were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. We believe that Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16; John 14:1-3; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17- 18; I Corinthians 2:7-9; Revelation 20:15; Titus 2:13; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Philippians 3:20-21; I Corinthians 15:51-54; Revelation 22:17, 20)
LIFESTYLE STATEMENT
Beliefs are not worth much unless they are translated into actions. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following six practices:
BIBLE AS OUR SOLE AUTHORITY
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” II Timothy 3:15
Since God’s Word is the only reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. When faced with a decision, our first question 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.
PRIESTHOOD OF EVERY BELIEVER
“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests...” Revelation 1:5-6 “
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood...” 1 Peter 2:9
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 and Bible reading.
TITHING
“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.
- Malachi 3:8-10
“And all the tithe of the land…it is holy unto the Lord.” Leviticus 27:30
At Extraordinary Church, we practice tithing to support Christ’s body, the church, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard of giving. Tithing is not the same as giving an offering. The ten percent tithe belongs to God, and anything we give above is an offering.
SPIRIT-LED LIVING
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” - Romans 8:13-14
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17- For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” Galatians 5:16-17
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. (Philippians 2:13, Ephesians 5:18)
PERSONAL HOLINESS
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
God calls His people to be holy (set apart) from the world. We are called to keep our- selves unspotted from the world and not conform to the world’s way of thinking. (II Corinthians 6:17, James 1:27, Romans 12:2)
We practice modesty, moderation, and moral purity in our lifestyle because our bodies are the temple of God. (I Corinthians 6:19-20, Revelation 3:18, I Corinthians 5:1-13, 6:15-18)
TELLING OTHERS ABOUT CHRIST
“Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.” 1 Peter 3:15
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those with whom God brings us into contact. Sharing our faith is not only the words we say but also the life we live in front of others. We should use every opportunity to influence others toward Christ and His church.