WE BELIEVE

It is one thing to believe, and another to live out your beliefs. Our aspiration at City Reach is for every believer to learn how to live out the word of God.

Scripture

The Holy Bible, and only the Bible, is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible and inerrant (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25-26, 1 Corinthians 2:13).

Trinity

There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and co-eternal (I John 5:7; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 3:7-11, Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

The fall of man and Redemption

We believe in the creation that God created both male and female in His image, the test and fall of man as recorded in Genesis and our total spiritual depravity and inability to attain divine righteousness by self. Mankind was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression they fell; our only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Gen. 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21; Romans 3:10-18).

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind and thus, atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory. (Luke 1:26-35, John 1:1,14,18, 20:28; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Philippians 2:5-6; I Timothy 2:5; 1 Corinthians 15:14; Romans 4:25; John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Resurrection

Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. In addition, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; they that are saved to the resurrection of life and they that are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation (Luke 24:16, 36, 39; John 2:19-21, 20:26-28, 21:4; Acts 24:15; I Corinthians 15:42, 44; Philippians 1:21-23, 3:21).

Second Coming

Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures (Matthew 24:30, 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; I Thessalonians 4:15-17; II Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7).

Salvation by Grace Through Faith

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ: His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human efforts. Jesus is the only way, the only truth and the only life. No one can come to the Father except through Jesus. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22; Hebrews 9:12, 22; Romans 5:11).

Repentance

Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ, which allows us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Thus, through repentance we receive forgiveness of sins and appropriate salvation. Repentance simply means to come back home to God’s intended home and way of living. (Acts 2:21, 3:19; I John 1:9).

Water Baptism

Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Water baptism is identifying with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. It is a cleansing of the soul, putting to death the old life, and in Him all things are made new. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48).

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Given at Pentecost, it is the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after His Ascension, to empower the Church to preach the Gospel throughout the whole earth. It gives us the power to be a witness for Jesus! We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as an experience subsequent to salvation. Simply put, salvation prepares us for heaven, the baptism of the Holy Spirit prepares us for a life in Christ on earth. (Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5,2:1-4, 17, 38-39, 8:14-17, 10:38, 44-47, 11:15-17, 19:1-6; Galatians 3:14-15).

The Gifts of the Spirit

The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. The Bible’s lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters. (Hebrews 2:4; Romans 1:11, 12 :4-8; Ephesians 4:16; I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 1:6-7; I Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-40; I Peter 4:10)..

Sanctification and Spirit-Filled Living

Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ's character in us. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life (1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, Romans 8:29, 12:1-2, Hebrews 2:11).

Healing

Healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus, and included in the commission of Jesus to His disciples. It is given as a sign, which is to follow believers. It is also a part of Jesus' work on the Cross and one of the gifts of the Spirit. (Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; James 5:14-16; I Corinthians 12:9, 28; Romans 11:29).

Marriage

We believe marriage was originally established by God to join one biologically born male and one biologically born female together for life. Marriage is designed by God to be entered into with faith, commitment and expectation that when done according to God’s original plan, is a place of blessing and fulfillment. (Genesis 2:18-25, Ephesians 5:22-33, 1 Corinthians 7:39-40, Romans 7:1-3, Genesis 1:26-31, 1 Corinthians 7:1-7)

Communion

Communion is not a religious act, nor a traditional act, it is a spiritual act where we come into unity with the one, Jesus, who gave His body and His blood for our sins. A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice (the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross (Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25).

Tithes, Offerings, and Prosperity

We believe every good thing we have comes from God. We believe in the Tithe (the first ten percent of our income) that God asks for, offerings that are given willingly, and alms that are given to the poor. We believe prosperity is the will of God for every believer and always to be associated with God’s purpose (Deuteronomy 8:18; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 9:6-15; Joshua 1:8; Malachi 3:10-11; Luke 6:38; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Psalm 34:10, 84:11; Philippians 4:19).

Eternal Life

We believe in eternal life for believers (John 5:24; 3:16) and eternal punishment for unbelievers (Mark 9:43-58; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:10-15).

Satan & His Judgment

We believe in the reality and personality of satan and the eternal judgment of satan and his angels (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10-15).