What We Believe
Jesus is the One and only divine Lord, the center of who we are and what we believe. He is fully God and fully man. Through His sinless life, death in our place, resurrection, and ascension, He has purchased the redemption of all who believe. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the one Mediator between God and humankind. He is Savior and Lord, the name at which every knee will bow.
John 1:1, 14:6; Acts 2:36; Philippians 2:10-11; Hebrews 12:24
Therefore, I have made a decision to follow Jesus in a lifelong process of discipleship where I commit to continue to grow to be like Christ in all aspects of my life.
Salvation is the forgiveness of sins and the reconciling work of Jesus between humanity and God. Salvation isnecessary and available for all people to experience life with Jesus now and forever in the Kingdom of Heaven. No person in and of themselves can reconcile themselves to God. God’s desire is that no one should perish.In sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross, God did for humanity that which was impossible for us to do on our own; He gave up His only son’s life so that all may have the ability to choose with our God-given free will to believe and follow Him.
John 3:16; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9
Therefore, in response to God’s grace, I have made a decision to place my faith in Christ alone for my salvation.
The Person, the work, and the power of the Holy Spirit are fundamental to who we are as a people. We believe the Spirit can transform, indwell, equip, and empower us. It is the work of the Holy Spirit that sanctifies us, makes us holy, sets us apart for sacred service, and seals us for eternity’s sake. It is the Spirit that convicts us of sin and enables us to overcome sin. It is the Holy Spirit that breathes supernatural gifts into us, for the building up of His church and His mission in the world. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter and Helper promised by Jesus and the witness of our redemption. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead continues the sanctifying work of transforming us more into the likeness of Christ.
Romans 6:1-14; Galatians 5; 1 Peter 1:16
Therefore, I am a servant of Jesus Christ, who is being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, as I walk in step with Him.
We are a people called by God to Christian unity, both with the Father and each other. Jesus prayed that his followers would be one, as He and the Father are one. The division of the body of Christ is one of Satan's greatest weapons against the Kingdom of Heaven. We are convinced that the splintering of the Church is not the Lord’s work, but the enemy’s. Hell trembles at the prospect of a people united, redeemed by the blood, and indwelt by the Spirit.
John 13:35; John 17:21; Ephesians 4:3
Therefore, I am committed to unity in the body, which means I will be an instrument of peace in our congregation.
We are a people of the Bible. We believe the Old and New Testaments are inspired and preserved across time, cultures, and continents, delivered to us, useful for reproof, instruction, and training in righteousness. The Scripture is our ultimate authority; our measure of conduct, faith, and practice. Whatever the question, whatever the test, whatever comes before us, in the end, it is the Scripture, above all other disciplines, that informs and defines us. All scripture centers around the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ and is therefore only rightly understood in light of Him.
Luke 24:27; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 2 Timothy 3:14–17; 2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 22:18-19
Therefore, I commit to a regular practice of engagement with the Scriptures with the goal of continual transformation into the image of Christ.
This is the divine privilege and responsibility given to each of us as Christ followers. We champion the work of evangelism and discipleship locally, regionally, and globally.
Matthew 22:36-40; Matthew 28:19–20; Luke 10; Acts 1:8
Therefore, I embrace living on mission in all spheres of my life. I commit to seeing lost people saved, saved people discipled, and discipled people making disciples.
The kingdom of God is anywhere that the rule and reign of God exists. It is both a present and future reality. As believers, we have been commanded to continue the expansion of the kingdom that Jesus began. This work has both a local and global emphasis.
Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 13; Luke 17:20–21; Acts 1:8
Therefore, I seek to live in and extend God’s kingdom in all my interactions with others, promoting the cause of Christ over my own.
There is one God who eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each Person is equally divine, holy, and loving and exists in a perfect, loving, and glorifying relationship with one another. Each Person is distinct and yet the same. As such, God is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise forever and ever.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:18-19; Mark 12:29; John 14:1-28; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 John 4:7-21; Revelation 7:12
Therefore, I believe in the triune God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and I offer my life in worship and obedience to Him.
Scripture presents marriage as a faithful relationship and covenant union between one man and one woman for as long as they both shall live, where love, encouragement, and sexual intimacy are shared, and joy and safety are experienced. Scripture also makes clear that there are two genders, male and female. God created them both in His image. As such, they are not transferable, interchangeable, or even optional because God saw what he created and said that it was good. Only marriage between said man and woman fulfills the original plan of God; all else are to remain single and celibate. For those who are unmarried, our church desires to be a place to find fellowship through the broader Body of Christ.For those who struggle with sexual addictions or sexual desires outside of God’s boundaries, including sex outside of marriage and pornography, our church desires to be a place to pursue self-denial in obedience to Christ. In regard to divorce, as followers of Jesus, Biblical reconciliation is always the goal. Due to the hardening of the human heart, resulting in sinful rebellion, abuse, and unfaithfulness, divorce and remarriage may be justified in Scripture under certain circumstances.
Genesis 1:27-28; 2:21-25; Exodus 20:14; Psalm 68:6; Ephesians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Corinthians 7; 1 Timothy 1:8-10
Therefore, I will seek to honor God with my body, whether married or single, pursuing holiness and wholeness in the area of my sexuality.
Throughout Scripture, God uses both men and women in leadership roles to accomplish His purposes, and each have filled numerous offices and roles in the Bible. Passages that appear to discourage women in leadership, such as those related to Ephesus and Corinth, are understood to address specific cultural and historical challenges within those churches, rather than to establish a timeless, universal prohibition.
Judges 4:4-5; Matthew 28:5-7; Romans 16:1-2; Romans 16:3-5; Romans 16:7
Therefore, I will support and encourage both women and men in all levels of leadership within our church.
The Bible paints an ultimately hopeful picture of the end of the age, where Christ will return and right all wrongs. While many get wrapped up in the speculation of dates and details, the purpose of the Bible’s focus on the end times is to encourage us as believers to live faithful lives now until Christ’s return.
Luke 1:33; Romans 14:17; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 15:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Revelation 20:1-6
Therefore, I believe that Jesus will one day come back, and I will offer my life in worship and obedience to Him.
The Church is made up of everyone who professes faith in Christ. As a result, we do not have formal church membership at Highland Park Community Church. The New Testament often refers to Christians as “brothers” and “sisters” because they are a spiritual family, with God as their Father. The Bible describes the Church as a body in which each part has a unique function based on the gifts of the Spirit. They are individually different, yet they work together in harmony.
Romans 12:4–5; 1 Corinthians 12:26; Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 2:20; Ephesians 4:2–3
Therefore, I choose to be in a relationship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I demonstrate my commitment to being a part of the body of Christ through regular church attendance, financial giving, and using my gifts to further the mission of the Kingdom.
Baptism, communion, and footwashing are the three ordinances that were instituted by Jesus and observed by His Church. These ordinances are symbols of spiritual truths and practices that draw our spirit closer to Christ and his will for our lives.
Baptism is important in the life of a believer, as it is an outward sign of an inward reality. Baptism represents the death of our old life, the cleansing of our sins, and the new life we have been given through Christ’s death and resurrection. It is not the baptismal waters that cleanse us of our sin and bring us from death to life, but rather it is the grace of God.
Communion is a symbol of His body and blood, broken and shed so that we may have life. The bread and the cup help us to remember and reflect on Christ’s sacrifice, and to be unified with one another as brothers and sisters saved by the grace of God and given new life. As such, at Highland Park Community Church, we practice open communion, and is available to anyone who professes Christ as Lord.
Foot washing was instituted and demonstrated by our Lord as an act of humility and service. Christ, while in the form of God, did not count equality with God something to be grasped, but rather served with humility, demonstrating the values of His kingdom. We look to His example as it challenges us to lay down our pride and serve others out of love and humility.
Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 26:26-29; John 13:1-17; Romans 6:4-5; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Philippians 2:5-8
Therefore, I recognize the spiritual significance of these ordinances and seek to observe them in my walk with Christ.