What We Believe

What We Believe

That the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and is a trusted guide for everything pertaining to life and Godliness. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21) – We believe that the Word of God expresses the clearest, wisest and ultimate counsel of God in matters of faith, conduct, and character. At Celebration Church, we endeavor to preach; to teach; to share God’s Word to man; and above all, to live that Word in the world as ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).

That eternal life is God’s quality of life and is His gift to you in Jesus Christ (John 3:16; 1 John 5:10-12) – Your allegiance to Jesus means that your life, your soul, the real you, lies in the possession of God (John 10:9-11; 28-29). No man can take you from God nor deny God from taking full possession of you, now or forever (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

That we receive the gift of eternal life (we are saved/born again) by trusting the finish work of Jesus Christ—His death and resurrection, and not by relying on our own goodness (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:8)

That there will be a second coming of Jesus Christ at which time judgment will take place, and every person will spend eternity in heaven or hell (Acts 1:9-11; Matthew 16:27; Hebrews 9:27)—Jesus will return and reward each person according to what he has done.  (Matthew 25:31-46) – Jesus said there was both a heaven and a hell with an impossible, unbridgeable gulf between the two after death (Luke 16:19-31). How we live here, who we claim as “God” here, will determine our destiny (Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26). Each person must make his choice (2 Corinthians 5:6-11; John 1:12; Revelations 3:20). We stand ready to assist you in the living out of your Christian commitment. Jesus went to prepare a place for you (John 14:2-3). Our intention is to do all we can, while possible to enable you and others to be at the Great Homecoming where God our Father is waiting.

That all believers should seek the infilling of the Holy Spiritthe help that God provides to honor Him with our lives.  (Luke 11:13; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:22-30) – You are not a Christian because of what you did. Salvation is a gift not a merit. The Holy Spirit drew you to God in faith. Having begun by yielding to the influence of God’s Spirit – you must continue to be open to His leadership in all areas of your life. Then we please God because the Spirit of Jesus reigns in our lives (Romans 8:9). The best evidence of the Spirit’s presence is when His fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control are present in our lives (Galatians 5:16-25).

That all Christians have a responsibility for witnessing (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Luke 24:48; Luke 9:26) – Your decision to be a Christian places you in a working relationship with God in ways that are neither detrimental to your health nor your limitations. Your faith is to be lived out in the world in terms of service; it is not just to be enjoyed (Matthew 5:13-14). Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, seek what God would have you to do (Ephesians 4:7). For remember, an idle mind is the devil’s playground (Hebrews 2:1-3; Matthew 25:24-30).

That all Christians should observe the symbolic act of baptism — Our Lord was baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:16; Matthew28:19). The baptism of Jesus symbolized the end toward which His life was directed. It symbolized the destruction of sin and death, which are the enemies of fellowship with God. Jesus gave instructions for new converts to be baptized. Your baptism is a public witness to the death of sin and the commencement of the new life that has occurred within you. Baptism is thus for each person who has decided to follow Christ. It is not a purifying rite; rather, it stands as a witness to a moral birth that has already occurred (1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Peter 3:21). It has been written, “Baptism is an outward sign of an inner work.”

That all Christians should receive Communion and participate in Foot Washing – The Lord’s Supper (Communion) represents the presence of the Risen Christ who is Lord of the Church and the Coming King to claim His subjects. By taking the cup and the bread, believers testify that they are partaking of His life and are in sacred union with God through Christ. Thus communion is reserved for those who are trusting Christ as Savior.  In Foot washing, we affirm our togetherness and the ministry of the service to each other and to the world. Our master Himself gave us this example and made it a symbol of humble service one to the other (1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:4-16).

That the Lord has called His Church and the members of the local Church to a place of Unity – Christ came so that all might be saved, be united in Him and be united with one another as the family of God (2 Corinthians 5:16-19; Ephesians 2:14).  Thus, it is the Lord’s will that the family of God embrace and walk in this principle of Christian unity as one family with diverse members (Ephesians 4:25; John 17:11; John 17:23; Ephesians 4:11-13).  Christian unity is attractive to people and is seen in the love we have for God and our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Christian Unity is also a witness that we have been baptized into one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).  The Bible instructs us not to allow division in the church (Romans 16:17).  Thus, Christian unity must be sought with help from the Lord.  Christians must recognize that unity is not automatic, but that we are called to work at it (Ephesians 4:2-3). While we are not called to conformity, lack of unity actually offends God and requires the Christian who is walking in disunity to grow (Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 3:3).  Practically, it helps when Christians agree with one another regarding the essentials of the faith (centrality of Christ and the authority of the Word of God), practice tolerance around those areas that are not essentials and charity in all things. Christians can rejoice in knowing that it is the Lord who brings us from the sinful life that manifests alienation and introduces us to a new way where there is now reconciliation, wholeness, harmony, and unity (Psalm 133; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Philippians 4:2).  Thus, Christians should abandon any divisions established based on gender, race, creed, culture or factions since we have become one in Christ Jesus; and we should embrace the Lord’s call to Christian unity (Ephesians 2:13-14; Galatians 3:28).

That the tithe helps to train our hearts to put God first in all things and should be given through our home Church -We are called by the Lord to recognize that our lives belong to God and that we should joyfully use our time, talents and treasures in a way that is pleasing to God (Romans 12:1-2; Luke 10:27; Luke 21:1-4). We must understand that everything we are and everything we have comes from God and belongs to Him (Colossians 1:15-16; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).  God has given us life (Genesis 1: 26-27; John 5:26; John 6:57) and the ability to create wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18 ). Thus, we must also recognize that we are not owners, but rather stewards of the time, talents and treasures the Lord has given us and we must show ourselves faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Corinthians 16:2).  Every Christian is called to give of themselves in ministry and give of their possessions to the Lord with the right heart or attitude (2 Corinthians 9:7).  As we give and sacrifice we are reminded of where our lives and our possessions come from: the Lord (James 1:17).  In the call to be good stewards, God has called us to give our first fruits to Him (a tithe which is the biblical standard identified as 10% of our income) and an offering (which is above the tithe) (Malachi 3:6-10; Deuteronomy 14:23; Luke 11:42; Hebrew 7).  The scriptures remind us that we are called to respond to the Lord’s call by faith (Hebrews 11:6) and be good stewards with a good attitude so that we can be free to effectively give of our life and financial resources toward the work of the Lord.   Finally, we should all walk in the awareness that we will all have to give an account of our stewardship (2 Corinthians 5:10).