The Faunce Church Statement of Faith

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He exists in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19;

1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30;

Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4;

Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift or gifts when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8;

1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25;

Ephesians 5:18

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the sole authority for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13;

Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2

Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5;

Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.

John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

Baptism is an ordinance of Jesus Christ given to the Church to be followed by those who come to faith in him. It is an outward sign of an inward change. It is a symbol of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We practice baptism by immersion under water – as was modeled by Jesus and the early church.

Mark 1:9; Matthew 3:16, 28:19-20; Acts 2:41, 8:12, 13, 38-39, 18:8;

1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 2:12;

Romans 6:4

The only other ordinance of Christ is the Lord’s Supper, which when shared by believers witnesses to the saving power of the Gospel, to Christ’s presence in His church, and looks forward to His victorious return.

Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 2 Corinthians 11:29

People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be separated from God is to spend eternity in Hell. To be in union with Him is to spend eternity in Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18;

Revelation 20:15; 1 Cor. 2:7-9