BELIEFS

GOD
We believe there is one personal, eternal, and true God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and that He has revealed Himself in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 1

JESUS
We believe Jesus Christ to be the virgin born Son of God who lived in the flesh, died for the sins of the world, was buried, rose again, and ascended to the Father according to the Scriptures. He is the exact representation and the clearest revelation of the character and nature of God. 2

We believe salvation—the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation to God, and eternal life—is received by grace through faith in Jesus. 3

THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the deity and indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter and Counselor who guides, sanctifies, and empowers believers to live distinctive lives of holiness and service. 4

THE BIBLE
We believe in the accuracy, truth, authority, and power of the Holy Scriptures as the inspired Word of God. 5

PURPOSE AND DESTINY
We believe that all people are made in the image of God, and that God has a plan and purpose for each person, rooted in an ongoing relationship with Him. 6
To know God is the ultimate treasure of the soul, thus we echo and affirm the Westminster confession: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” 7

The church is the spiritual body of Christ, made up of all true believers in Christ. The church exists to declare the name of Jesus and to build a place called home for the many who do not have one. 8

FAITH AND PRACTICE
Hope City Church recognizes that it cannot dictate in areas where the Bible is silent. Rather, each believer should be led in those areas by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we pursue unity in the essentials, we respect liberty in nonessentials, and in all our beliefs we show love.

1- Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Exodus 3:14; Matthew 28:18-19; John 1:1, 14; 14:26
2- John 1:1-18; Acts 2:22-41; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:3-9; Philippians 2:1-11; Colossians 1:15-20; 2:9-10; Hebrews 1:3; 4:15
3- John 3:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 3:21-26; 5:12-21; 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15:35-57; Ephesians 1:3-10; 2:1-9; 1 John 1:9
4- Luke 11:13; John 16:7-15; Acts 1:8; 4:31; Romans 8:11; Ephesians 1:13-14
5- 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21
6- Genesis 1:27; 9:6; James 3:9)
7- Matthew 13:44-46; Ephesians 2:10; See: Westminster Shorter Catechism’s opening question and answer
8- 1 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 2:19-22; 5:25-32; 1 Timothy 3:14-15; 1 Peter 2:4-5