At Encounter Church, our core beliefs serve as the bedrock of our faith, shaping our identity and guiding our journey as a community of believers. Rooted in the Christian tradition, our beliefs encompass key theological principles that form the essence of our understanding of God, humanity, and salvation. Here is an overview of our core beliefs:
1. **The Trinity:** We affirm the doctrine of the Trinity, acknowledging one God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This understanding reflects the dynamic and relational nature of God as revealed in the Bible.
2. **The Bible as God's Word:** We believe in the authority and inspiration of the Bible as the divinely revealed Word of God. It is our guide for faith, practice, and understanding God's will for our lives.
3. **Salvation by Grace through Faith:** Salvation is a gift from God, not earned by human efforts. We believe in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and salvation is received through faith in Him.
4. **Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior:** We confess Jesus Christ as the Son of God, fully divine and fully human. He is the only way to salvation, and through His life, death, and resurrection, we find forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life.
5. **The Holy Spirit's Indwelling:** We affirm the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. The Spirit empowers, guides, and transforms us to live according to God's will.
6. **The Church as the Body of Christ:** The church is not merely a building but a community of believers. We embrace the concept of the Acts 2:42 Church and actively engage in the expression of the Body of Christ.
7. **The Great Commission:** We are committed to fulfilling the Great Commission given by Jesus, spreading the Gospel, making disciples, and bringing the message of hope and redemption to the world.
8. **Loving God and Neighbor:** We strive to live out the greatest commandments—to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This love extends to our local and global communities.
These core beliefs guide our worship, teaching, and community life at Encounter Church. We recognize the beauty of diversity within the body of Christ and seek to grow in our understanding and application of these foundational truths as we journey together in faith.