We believe the local church is a place to be strengthened spiritually, and to be taught the principles of God’s Word in order to be equipped to spread the Gospel to others (Ephesians 4:11-12). Following the narrative arc of Scripture, our beliefs follow the framework of the Gospel message through the themes of the Creation of all things, the Fall of Humanity, the Cross and our Hope, the Restoration of all things, and the Glory to come. The following statement of faith is an articulation of the beliefs founded on the teachings of God’s Word, and agreed upon by the leadership of Anchor Community Church.
We believe that God, who has communicated to us through the Bible, has created humanity to be in a loving relationship with Him, and that we are to be stewards of His creation, and a reflection of His goodness, beauty and creativity.
God - The Bible teaches the doctrine of the Trinity: namely, there is one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They are co-eternal in being, nature, power and glory, and have the same attributes and perfections. (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Peter 1:1-2; Eph. 4:4-6)
Bible - All Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are fully inspired of God, inerrant, and of supreme and final authority in faith and life. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Mark 13:31; John 20:31)
Humanity - God created humanity in the image of God, as male and female, and therefore every human being has intrinsic value, the capacity to reflect His character, and the privilege to enjoy fellowship in covenantal relationship with Him. Humanity was created higher than any creatures, crowned with glory and honor, and instructed to exercise dominion over the world in loving obedience to God to interpret all reality in accordance with His design and command. (Gen. 1:26-28; Gen. 5:1-3; Gen. 9:6; 1 Cor. 11:7)
We believe that as a consequence of Adam and Eve’s sinful response of disobedience to God’s love, they brought all humanity under the curse of sin, and are guilty before God.
Sin - All humanity, originally created in the image of God, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. All humanity is sinful, is utterly unable to remedy our lost condition, and the punishment for sin is eternal death, both spiritually and physically. (Gen. 1:26, 27; Rom. 3:22, 23, 5:12; Eph. 2:1-3, 12) As such, all humanity is in need of salvation. (Rom. 3:23; 5:12-17)
We believe that Jesus Christ is the only hope for humanity in our fallen state. His death on the cross was for our sins. Our salvation is by faith in Jesus, through which He gives eternal life.
Jesus Christ - Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God and entirely sinless. He became man without ceasing to be God, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, (a supernatural work of God, apart from a human father) and was born sinless of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful humanity. (John 1:1-2, 14; 8:46; Luke 1:35; Heb. 7:26)
His Death - Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Rom. 3:24; 4:25; 1 Peter 2:24; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5) Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of representative, intercessor, and advocate. (Acts 1:9, 10; Heb. 7:25, 9:24; Rom. 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2)
Salvation - Salvation is the gift God offers to humans because of His grace, which we receive by personally trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. (Eph. 2:8-10; John 1:12; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19)
We believe that faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ secures for us a new relationship with God through the Holy Spirit, a new relationship with others in the Church, and gives security in our lives, with the goal of honoring Jesus Christ.
Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead and a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He is the supernatural agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling them and sealing them unto the day of redemption. (John 16:8-11; 2 Cor. 3:6; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; Rom. 8:9; Eph. 5:18)
Church - The Universal Church began with the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. He indwells every believer, who is thus empowered to live a godly life. These believers are united to Christ, and to one another, by the indwelling Spirit who justifies, sanctifies, and seals believers for all eternity. The Church’s calling, hope, and destiny are heavenly, and its chief functions are to glorify God and to witness for Christ until His return. (Acts 2:1-4; Eph. 1:13-14) Believers’ baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the scriptural means and ordinances of testimony for the local church in this age. (Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41, 42, 18:8; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)
Security - All the redeemed are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. (John 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1, 38-39; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; 1 Peter 1:5) It is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s word. While the security of the believer is eternal, fellowship with God, and with fellow believers can be broken. (Matt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 5:11; 1 John 1:3) Our security should motivate us to holiness, and not as an occasion to gratify the flesh. (Rom. 13:13, 14; Gal. 5:13; Titus 2:11-15).
Honoring Jesus Christ - Jesus Christ is the risen Head of the Church, and is the Giver of spiritual gifts to all believers through the Holy Spirit. Gifted individuals such as evangelists, pastors, and teachers are responsible to Him for their service, and are given “for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ.” The saved person is in the process of being conformed to the image of Christ, and should bear spiritual fruit in their life. (1 Cor. 12; Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Peter 4:10-11)
We believe that Jesus Christ will come again to fully renew all creation to its proper place, and will be the rightful King over his Kingdom, for our good and His glory.
Come Again - The Bible teaches the personal, imminent, and bodily return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11)
Renew - The Bible teaches the bodily resurrection of the righteous to everlasting life, and the bodily resurrection of the wicked to everlasting punishment. (1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-58; Rev. 20:4-13) God will renew all of creation with the purpose of bringing eternal glory to Himself, and providing eternal joy to us. (Rom. 8:19-22; 1 Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 21:1-5)
Kingdom - The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ will take His rightful place as King over the entire universe, and He will rule for all eternity in perfect wisdom, righteousness and glory. (Isa. 9:7; John 18:33; Heb. 1:8; 12:28; Rev. 11:15; 12:10)