Hillcrest Baptist Church’s
Statement Of Faith
The Bible
We believe in the Verbal Plenary inspiration of the Bible. Verbal, meaning that all sixty six books were given by God, Plenary meaning they were given in full by God, and Inspiration, meaning it was God breathed and is separate of any thoughts from the writers. We believe the Bible is the only written revelation to man (Revelation 22:18) and is the Christian’s guide in faith and practice. We further believe the Word of God is preserved in Heaven forever.
Salvation
We believe Salvation is by Grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. We further believe that it was the death and the shed blood of Christ that a perfect atonement for all sin was made (Hebrews 9:22, Acts 20:21, 1 Timothy 4:10). We reject that salvation is by works (Ephesians 2:8,9). We believe a person has free will and must choose to either accept Christ as Saviour or reject Him.
The Trinity
We believe that there is one God existing eternally in three persons: The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14), and is the creator of all things (Genesis 1:1).
The Father: is Omnipresent meaning everywhere all the time, Omniscience, meaning He knows everything, things actually and possible effortlessly and equally well, and Omnipotence, meaning God is all powerful and able to do anything consistent with His own Nature. We believe God is a Spirit and His residing place is in Heaven.
The Son: We believe Jesus Christ in the flesh was both man and God (John 10:33); born of a virgin (Luke 1:34-35) and lived a sinless life, sacrificed himself on the cross at Calvary, was buried, and on the third day was raised from the dead bodily (Luke 24:31, 36, 39) and ascended back to His Father (Acts 1:11). We believe Christ will come again personally and will establish His kingdom on earth (Revelation 19:11-16)
The Holy Spirit of God resides in every believer and convicts of sin (John 16:8) and makes believer’s children of God through the new birth (John 3:5,6) Further, we believe the Holy Spirit illuminates Gods Word so that men are able to understand the truth of God’s Word, and seals men unto the day of redemption.
The Two Ordinances
We believe there only two ordinances:
Baptism is a scriptural ordinance requiring complete immersion (Acts 8:38, 39) of believer’s only ( Acts 2:41) and is done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19) We believe Baptism has no part in salvation, but the first step of obedience as a child of God.
The Lords Supper is a scriptural ordinance of the church to be partaken of by people that are born again (1 Corinthians 11:23-34). Further, it is done in remembrance of the sacrifice of Our Lord and Saviour. The Broken Body, the Shed Blood (Luke 22:19-20)
Creation of Man
We believe that man was created by a direct act of God (Genesis 1:27, Isa 43:7) and is eternal with a soul. And that all men are by nature sinful and lost and must be regenerated by the Holy Spirit (Romans 3:19) We reject any form of evolution. We further believe that man is born with a sinful nature and because of that sinful nature is an enemy of God.
Resurrection
We believe everyone will be resurrected (bodily) both the saved and unsaved. The saved will be resurrected unto life and the unsaved will be resurrected unto damnation (John 5:28, 29)
Separation
We believe the Holiness of God is the foundation for all separation whether personal or Ecclesiastical (1 Thessalonians 4:7). We believe we should be separate from the world’s desires and practice for we are to be used for God’s service. We further believe that the local church must be separate, independent. We believe that the local church governs itself and is comprised of those which have accepted Christ as Saviour. We believe the local church should not belong nor be governed by any organization.
Satan
We believe Satan, is a created being, real and powerful and tempts man for the purpose of drawing him away from God, or keep him from God. We believe Satan fell when he tried to overthrow God and was cast out of Heaven along with other angels that followed in his rebellion and follow him still today (Ezekiel 28:13-15; Revelation 12). We believe he is the accuser of the brethren and will one day be cast into eternal damnation for his rebellion.
Hell
We believe Hell is a real literal place created by God for the fallen angels and where the unsaved dead are for the purpose of eternal, conscious punishment from God (Luke 16:23-25, Revelation 20:12-13).
Last Things
Rapture of the Church- We believe the rapture of the church will consist of those that are saved during the church age or the Body of Christ. The church is called up and proceeds to the marriage supper of the Lamb where it will then be judged based on their works for the Lord (I Thessalonians 4:16,17) this will take place before the period of tribulation.
The Period of Tribulation is a seven-year period that immediately precedes the return of Christ and the establishment of His millennial kingdom, which lasts for 1,000 years. The first 3 ½ years of the tribulation will be a time of peace and cooperation, and the second 3 ½ years of the tribulation will be a time of war and catastrophe. Israel will be restored as God’s people at this time (Daniel 9:27). God’s wrath is poured out upon the earth at this time.
Resurrection of Old Testament Saints and tribulation saints will occur after the period of tribulation which precedes the Millennial Kingdom Reign (Daniel 12:2; Revelation 20:4).
The Millennial Kingdom reign is when Christ will return and set up his Kingdom on the earth and rule for a thousand years. This will take place after the tribulation period (Revelation 20:1-6). Satan will be bound in chains at this time (Revelation 20:1-3). The Bride of Christ will return and rule with Him. Peace and Harmony will exist.
After the Hundred Year reign Satan will be loosed for a season and then be cast along with the wicked dead, into eternal damnation forever separated from God (Revelation 20:10).
The saved will then spend all eternity with Christ (Revelation 21:1-7).
