CORE BELIEF #1: THE BIBLE

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.  It is truth.

It is our authority on all matters.  We seek to live according to God’s Word.

(2 Timothy 3:16; Matthew 4:4; John 17:17)

CORE BELIEF #2: GOD

We believe in the Trinity.  God is One and yet He exists as three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit

(Matthew 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 10:30; Matthew 28:19;

Acts 5:3-4)

CORE BELIEF #3: THE HOLY SPIRIT TODAY

We believe that the Holy Spirit can and still does move and act and work today just as He did in New Testament times (including the book of Acts).  We do not believe that any of the gifts have ceased.  We want the Holy Spirit to move in us as individuals and as a church in the same way we see Him moving in Scripture.  We want to be immersed in the Holy Spirit and to have His power to be witnesses for Jesus in this world.

(see the entire book of Acts and 1 Corinthians 12)

CORE BELIEF #4: SALVATION

We believe that God’s salvation is salvation from sin and hell; and it is salvation into a relationship with God (Romans chapter 6; John 17:3).  We believe that one begins salvation or gets on the road of salvation by repenting of sin (which involves turning from sin to God) (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38, 17:30), believing that Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins and rose from the dead (John 3:15-18, 36; Acts 8:12), putting faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10), and following Him (Luke 9:23).

The first step of following Him is being baptized—that is, immersed in water in the name of Jesus; in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; (Acts 2:38; 8:12; 8:36-37).

One should also begin to actively seek the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in their lives (Acts 8:5-8, 12, 14-17; Luke 11:9-13; Romans 8:5-6; Galatians 5:16, 25; 6:8).

One must also continue to follow Jesus (Acts 11:23; 14:22; Colossians 1:22-23; 1 Timothy 4:16; 1 John 5:13), saying no to sin and yes to Jesus, pursuing holiness and righteousness (Galatians 5:16-25; James 5:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:1-11; Hebrews 12:14).  One must hold on to their faith in Jesus and not depart from it (1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 3:12-13; 1 Corinthians 15:2).

CORE BELIEF #5: THE CHURCH

We believe Jesus gave His life not just for individuals, but for the Church (Ephesians 5:25-27).  Ultimately, the Church is made up of all those who are disciples of Jesus Christ.  However, the Church is not simply an invisible entity made up of disconnected people all over the earth.

The Church is a visible entity made up of disciples of Jesus who live in community and covenant relationship with each other.  The Church on the Coast is one such Church.  We assemble together, we study the apostles’ doctrine together, we pray together and we love and care for one another, helping and encouraging one another to stay on the road of salvation (Hebrews 10:24-25;

Acts 2:42-47).

The Church on the Coast is one body made up of many parts, just as the Church in Corinth was (1 Corinthians 12).  Each part plays an important role in the life of the Church.  Some hold the office of elder or deacon.  These have the responsibility of seeing that the spiritual needs (elders) and physical needs (deacons) of those who make up the Church are being met (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 6:1-6).

CORE BELIEF #6: GENDER

We believe in biblical sexuality and gender roles.  We believe God created mankind male and female.  We believe that men and women are equal and heirs together of the grace of life.

We also believe in the biblical model of male leadership in the home and in the church.  We believe that the husband is the head of the wife.  We believe that he is to love his wife as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her.  We believe the wife is to submit to her husband as the Church submits to Christ.  We believe Christian marriage is to serve as a beautiful, living picture of the Gospel and of the relationship between Jesus and the Church.  We believe the Bible clearly teaches that elders and deacons are to be men.

(Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Peter 3:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 3:1-13)

CORE BELIEF #7: THE FUTURE

We believe that Bible prophecy will be literally fulfilled in the future just as it has been in the past.  This means we believe there will be a literal 7-year Tribulation Period, a literal Temple will be built in Jerusalem, there will be a literal Antichrist, and Jesus will literally reign on earth for 1,000 years.  There will also be a literal Rapture.  We are looking for Him to come any day.  And at the same time, we are ready to go through the Tribulation Period and endure to the end if need be.

(Daniel 9:20-27; Matthew 24:42-43; 25:-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18;

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; see the book of Revelation)