THESE ARE THE FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS OF UNITED CHURCH:

​

• We believe in the plenary-verbal inspiration of the accepted canon of the Scriptures as originally given and that they are infallibly and uniquely authoritative and free from error of any sort in all matters with which they deal.
  1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16

• We believe in the Eternal Godhead who has revealed Himself as ONE God existing in THREE persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; distinguishable but indivisible.
  Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14

• We believe in the literal, special creation of the existing space-time universe and all of its basic systems as indicated in Genesis.
  Genesis 1; Nehemiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:5; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17

• We believe in the creation, test and fall of man as recorded in Genesis; his total spiritual depravity and inability to attain to divine righteousness.
  Romans 5:12,18

• We believe that sin is a transgressing of, or falling short of, God’s standard in action, thought, and character. All individuals are born with a sin nature that affects their motivation, affection, volition, and actions. The results of sin include separation from God and death.
  Romans 3:10,23; 6:23; 14:23; James 4:17; 1 John 5:17

• We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of men, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, fully God and fully man.
  Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:18

• We believe Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day, and personally appeared to His disciples.
  Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

• We believe in the bodily ascension of Jesus to heaven, His exaltation and personal, literal and bodily coming again the second time for the Church.
  Matthew 24; Mark 16:19; John 14:2-3; Acts 1:9-11 Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 9:28

• We believe in the salvation of sinners by grace, through repentance and faith in the perfect and sufficient work of the cross of Calvary by which we obtain remission of sins.
  Romans 5:11; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:12,22

• We believe in the necessity of water baptism by immersion in the name of the Eternal Godhead in order to fulfill the command of Christ.
  Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38-39; 19:1-6

• We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a distinct aspect of the Christian foundational experience with the primary evidence of speaking in tongues as well as evidences such as empowerment to witness, to conquer sin and to live a holy life.
  Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-17; 19:6

• We believe in the Spirit-filled life, a life of separation from the world and the perfecting of holiness in the fear of God as an expression of Christian faith.
  2 Corinthians 6:14; 7:1; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 5:18

• We believe that since the Bible is the inspired Word of God, it is then authoritative in all areas of human behavior, including marriage, family, sexuality, morality, and ethics.

• We believe in the operation of the gifts of the Spirit as manifested in the Early Church and enumerated in 1 Corinthians 12-14.

• We believe in the healing of the body by Divine Power, or Divine healing in its varied aspects as practiced in the Early Church.

• We believe in the Table of the Lord, commonly called Communion or the Lord’s Supper, for believers.

• We believe in eternal life for believers (John 3:16; 5:24) and eternal punishment for unbelievers.

​​

​

IN ADDITION TO THESE BASIC FUNDAMENTALS, WE ALSO HOLD THAT:

​

• The theological framework for understanding all of God’s dealings with mankind is to be found in the divine covenants revealed in Scripture.

  Romans 9:4-5; Galatians 3-4; Ephesians 1:9-14; 3:11 Hebrews 8; 13:20

• We believe in the public gathering of the Church together for prayer, worship, teaching and preaching of the Bible and the administering of the sacraments of the church.
  Acts 2; I Corinthians 11; Hebrews 10:25 

• The Bible defines marriage as the covenant relationship between a man and a woman. The importance of this union to society requires that we support and protect marriage as the Word of God does.

  Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 19:4-6

• We believe that God, in His infinite wisdom and sovereignty, is the Creator of all things, including human beings. According to the Holy Scriptures, God created humanity in His own image, male and female, and established the distinction between the two genders as a fundamental aspect of His divine plan. Genesis 1:27 - "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Psalm 139:13-14 - "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Mark 10:6 - "But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.'"
  
  We affirm that:
  1. Gender is a divine gift and is rooted in the purposeful design of our Creator.
  2. Each person is uniquely and wonderfully made by God, reflecting His image and glory through their biological sex that is defined by God at birth.
  3. The distinction between male and female is a sacred aspect of God’s creation, intended for His glory and the flourishing of humanity.
  4. Any understanding of gender must be rooted in the truth of God’s Word, recognizing His ultimate authority and wisdom.
  
  In our faith community, we commit to:
  1. Upholding the biblical understanding of gender as defined by God.
  2. Encouraging each individual to embrace and live out their God-given identity with dignity and respect.
  3. Providing compassionate support and guidance in accordance with Scripture to those who struggle with or have questions about their gender identity.
  4. Promoting the value and significance of both men and women as equal bearers of God's image, each with unique roles and purposes within His kingdom.
  
  We trust in God’s perfect design and submit to His authority, believing that true fulfillment and identity are found in living according to His divine plan.
   

• Humanity as a whole is united in origin, in the fall, and in the provision of the atonement through Christ, making every person equally worthy of love and forgiveness; as well as just and unbiased treatment.
  John 3:16; Acts 10:34; 17:26; Romans 5:6-21; Colossians 3:8-16

• God’s eternal purpose involves all races and nations, culminating in every nation, tribe and tongue being represented before His throne.
  Matthew 28:19; Ephesians 2:14-18; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Revelation 5:9; 7:9

• The Church of Jesus Christ is the last instrument that God is using to extend His kingdom prior to the second coming of Christ.
  Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:20-23; 3:10

• The local church is autonomous; it is self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating in its mature state.
  Acts 2; 13:1-4

• The biblical form of church government is a plurality of elders with a Lead Pastor who all qualify on the basis of 1 Timothy 3 in spiritual life, character, domestic life and ruling ability.

  Every believer in Christ must be subject to God’s authority in a specific local church for spiritual protection and long-term fruitfulness.
  Hebrews 13:17

​