We believe that the source of religious authority on matters of faith is only found in the pages of the Holy Scriptures we call God’s Word or the Bible. We encourage you to look up these references as you study these doctrinal statements for yourself.

Faith: is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)” Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

The Bible: records accurately the words and actions of God and man in both the spiritual and the physical world. The Bible transcends culture and time so that it is relevant to all cultures at all times. It is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16) is holy, flawless (Psalm 18:30), without error, and is the final authority on all Christian living issues.

God: is the source and the end of all things, “the alpha and the omega.” Nothing can be conceived that is greater than God. He is uncreated, infinite, necessary, sufficient, unmeasurable, and eternal. He is all-powerful, all-knowing and all-seeing. He is incomparably good, holy, righteous, just, benevolent, loving, gracious and kind. He is the only one we should ever honor and revere (Deuteronomy 13:4).

Jesus: is the eternally existent Son of God (John 1:1-10)” In Jesus, all the glory of God is expressed (Philippians 2:6,7). The Holy Spirit conceived Jesus into a virgin named Mary (Luke 1:35 & Matthew 1:18). Jesus lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), kept the Jewish law perfectly, and offered his body as a substitutionary, atoning sacrifice to redeem a sin-filled humanity (2 Corinthians 5:21). Only through Jesus do we have access to God (John 14:6). God revealed Jesus to humans in two natures; fully human and fully divine (John 10:30).

Holy Spirit: is part of the Trinity of God.” Jesus promised the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence to the faithful (John 14:16,17 & John 20:22). He convicts all people of their sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8-11). He empowers the believers, gives them ministry gifts, marks them as God’s children, counsels, guides, comforts, helps and teaches them.

Trinity: is the best method humans have to describe the complexity of a God who demands to be understood as a community of love.  Only in the Trinity can people truly hear the word of God.

Creation: is the divine work of God. Using only His word, God began with nothing and brought everything into existence (Genesis 1).

Satan: is real. He hates God and seeks to destroy everything God has created and declared good (Matthew 4:1-13). Satan preys on the spiritually weak and often masquerades as good things, including angels, to draw us away from God (2 Corinthians 11:14). Satan tempts all humans to sin using our human desires against us (James 1:13-15).

Sin: is any thought, motive, belief or behavior that is outside God’s will.” Sin separates all humans from God. Adam and Eve brought sin into the world (Genesis 3:1-7). Each person is accountable for their own sin (Ezekiel 18). All will stand before God at the judgment and will answer for their sin.

Judgement: of our eternal destiny belongs to God alone (1 Peter 1:17ff).

Salvation: is a gracious gift from God (Psalm 37:39) through Jesus Christ’s death & resurrection (2 Timothy 1:8-10). Jesus the Christ is our only hope for salvation (1 Peter 3:20-22).

Redemption, Restoration & Regeneration: God offers “new birth” to all who repent of their waywardness from God, confess their sins to God, acknowledge Jesus as their only hope of salvation, and forsake their sin. God, in His great mercy and grace will cleanse the repentant and remove our sin from us and will know it no more. (Hebrews 9:14). You cannot sin more than God can forgive. Regeneration is a gift of God. This occurs by the Holy Spirit, in faith, through God’s grace, acted out in our immersion (John 3:3 & 1 Peter 1:3).

Immersion (Baptism) Please see the page: http://dev.fccvg.org/about-us/what-we-believe/immersion-baptism for more information on this topic.

Communion (The Lord’s Supper): was instituted by Jesus in the upper room with his twelve apostles (Luke 22:14-19). We do not practice “closed communion.” We participate in communion every week. Communion reminds us that we are in a New Covenant with Jesus.

Heaven: is the real, future home of all faithful Christians (Revelation 2:10). It is a place of incredible beauty where there is no hunger, no sorrow, no darkness and no sin.

Hell: is the real destiny of the devil and his followers. (Matthew 25:41). It is a place of eternal death, pain, suffering and separation from God. We do not believe in a place called “purgatory.”

The Second Coming of Jesus: is promised in scripture. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). This event will occur at a time only known to God (Matthew 24:36-44).