Core Beliefs
We believe that all Christian doctrines are important; however, we don’t treat all of them the same. Our Core Beliefs are one’s in which all of Orthodox Evangelical Christianity adhere. Our Committed Beliefs are one’s we have strong opinions on and are committed to a particular position. However, we recognize there is a wide range of understandings on these beliefs, and we seek to respect and extend grace to all who hold to them.
(Acts 4:12; John 1:14; Matthew 1:23)
We believe that Jesus is Lord and that salvation is only given through faith in Him.
(Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 7:26-28)
We believe that people are saved by the grace of God through their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot save ourselves. Saving faith requires repentance from sin and genuine belief in Jesus as Lord.
(Genesis 1:1; John 1:1, 14, 18; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 3:14)
We believe the Scriptures declare that God is One, yet He exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. All three persons of the Trinity are co-equal and co-eternal.
(2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is our guide and final authority on Christian living.
(2 Corinthians 5:8; Revelation 20:11-15)
We believe that mankind is appointed once to die and then to be judged by God. For the believer, eternity will be spent with God in our glorified and perfected bodies. For the unbeliever, eternity will be spent in separation from God, completely cut off from His presence.
(Matthew 24:30-31, 1 Thessalonians 4:15b-17,)
We believe Jesus will return again for those who believe in Him and will fulfill all
prophecies about His final victory over all evil.
Committed Beliefs
(John 3:16; Romans 3:23-26; 1 Timothy 2:3-4)
We believe God lovingly predestines and desires all people to be saved. However, we also believe God has given humanity the free will to choose or reject this gift of salvation through Christ.
(Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 10:26-31; Galatians 6:1)
We believe that the believer is secure in Christ as they walk in loving obedience to Christ. We do not believe someone can flippantly “lose” their salvation; however, we do believe that someone can forfeit their salvation through continual unrepentance of deliberate sin; or through a willful denial of Christ and the faith.
(1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Romans 8:1-4; 1 John 3:3)
We believe the primary evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit is an indwelling power to live righteously and to love as Jesus did. We believe that God is the giver of all spiritual gifts and we do not practice, pursue, or promote any one particular gift as greater than another.
(Matthew 24:36)
We believe Jesus is returning; however, the timing of His return is unknown by anyone but God the Father. We do not hold to a specific end-times theology as a church.
(1 Corinthians 11:17-34)
We believe communion or the Lord’s Supper is to be received in remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus. The communion elements themselves do not offer forgiveness but point us to Jesus who alone can save. We celebrate communion monthly at Element Church.
(Romans 6:1-4)
Baptism is an outward sign of an inward work that Christ has done. It is the public declaration of our faith in and allegiance to Jesus, and is to be celebrated after a personal decision to believe in and follow Jesus.