Our Beliefs
In the essential beliefs, we have unity. In the non-essential beliefs, we have liberty. In all our beliefs, we show charity (love).
At Pinellas Community Church, we hold to the truth that God desires for all of His people to walk in unity and love (John 17). Unfortunately, church history reveals that God's people have often allowed dogma and doctrine to divide and alienate those that God calls "brothers in Christ." Rather than focus on divisive doctrinal issues that have produced denominations, sects, and church splits, we focus simply on the "essential beliefs"--those beliefs necessary to experience spiritual "new birth" or salvation from sin and fellowship with God. (Ephesians 4:4-6; Romans 14:1, 4, 22; 1 Corinthians 13:2)
The Essentials
ABOUT GOD
God is the creator and the ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Those three are co-equal with God and are one God.
| Genesis 28:19
1 Peter 1:2 2 Corinthians 13:14 |
ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is
co-equal with the Father. He was born of a virgin and lived a perfect,
sinless human life. He 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, ascended into heaven, and will return again someday 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 Acts 1:9-11 1 Timothy 6:14-15 Titus 2:13 |
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the
Father and Son. 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 believer with power for living,
understanding spiritual truth, wisdom, and guidance for doing what is
right. 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 Acts 2:4 |
ABOUT THE BIBLE
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 supreme source of truth for all Christian beliefs and
living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any
mixture of error.
| 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16
2 Peter 1:20-21 Psalm 119:105; 160, 12:6 Proverbs 30:5 |
ABOUT PEOPLE
People are made in the spiritual image of
God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme objects 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 53:6 Romans 3:23 Isaiah 59:1-2 |
ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is God's free gift to us, but we
must accept it. We can never make up for our sins by self-improvement
or good works. Only by trusting Jesus Christ as God's offer for
forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from
our self-willed 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 |
ABOUT ETERNITY
The soul of every human being was
created to live forever. We will either exist eternally separated from
God by sin, or eternally with God through salvation and forgiveness.
Hell is eternal separation from God. Heaven is eternal union with God.
Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
| John 3:16; 2:25,
5:11-13
Romans 6:23 Revelation 20:15 Matthew 1:8; 2:44-46 |