Beliefs

We believe the Bible is the Word of God, is fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

Psalm 119:89; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 2:15, 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Peter 1:21

We believe there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons. These persons are equal in every divine perfection and execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.

Genesis 1:1, 26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16, 28:19; John 5:18; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 1:20; Philippians 2:6

We believe in God the Father, the Creator of heaven and earth, an infinite personal spirit perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe he concerns himself mercifully in the affairs of men, hears and answers prayers, and saves from sin and eternal death all who come to him through faith in Jesus Christ.

Genesis 1:1; Matthew 6:9-13; John 3:16, 4:24, 5:26, 17:11, 25; Romans 8:33

We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in his virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in his substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for his people, and personal, visible return to earth.

Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1, 3:16, 11:25; Acts 1:3, 9, 16:31; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5; Revelation 1:7.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ and is an abiding helper, teacher, guide, and deposit, guaranteeing our eternal life with God.

John 14:17, 16:8; Acts 5:1-4; Romans 8:1-17, 15:16; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; Titus 3:5; 1 John 2:27

We believe all people are created by God in his image to glorify him forever. Because the first couple, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God's command, they and all people since have been alienated from God and are sinners by nature and by choice. Because God is holy and cannot tolerate sin, all people are under condemnation and unable to save themselves.

Genesis 1:26; Psalm 50:15; Matthew 5:16; Romans 3:23, 15:6; Revelation 4:11

We believe every person is made in God's image and created by him as distinctly male or female. This divinely created and biologically identifiable sex also represents a person's true and fixed gender identity.

Genesis 1:27; Romans 1:26-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

We believe Jesus Christ was crucified to bear the condemnation of all people, and nothing prevents anyone's salvation except the rejection of Christ as one’s sin-bearer. Those who repent of their sin and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior are freed from condemnation and given eternal life. The gospel provides redemption and restoration to a right relationship with God for all who repent of their sin and place their faith in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of their sin (regardless of their past or specific sin). This is the only way to receive forgiveness and mercy—being washed clean, sanctified, and justified through Jesus Christ.

John 1:12, 3:8, 6:40, 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Isaiah 53:5-6; 1 Peter 2:24; 2 Peter 3:9

We believe Christians should live for the glory of God and the well-being of their fellow men and women. Their conduct should be blameless before the world, according to what is written in Scripture. They should be faithful stewards of their possessions and seek to realize for themselves and others the full stature of maturity in Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:14-3:3; Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 5:1-33

We believe God has ordained the family as the foundation of our society, and marriage is between one man and one woman. We affirm that men and women are, by design, created equal in value and dignity before God but have distinct, complementary roles within marriage and the church. God alone has the ultimate authority to ordain and define a marriage relationship. Marriage between one man and one woman is the channel of all sexual expression. Sexual immorality is any sexual activity outside the boundaries of marriage between one man and one woman and is prohibited by the Lord as sin.

Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:1-9; Mark 7:20-21, 10:1-12; 1 Corinthians 7:2; Ephesians 5:21-33; Hebrews 13:4

We believe in the universal Church, a living spiritual body composed of all regenerated believers of any race or nation. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized in a credible profession of faith, and associated with worship, work, and fellowship.

Matthew 28:17-20; Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the triune God. We believe the Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ to commemorate his substitutionary and atoning death. We believe these two ordinances should be observed and administered by true believers until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 8:26-40; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of his Kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal joy of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked.

John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:11-15

We believe every human being is accountable to God and responsible to him alone in all matters of faith. We believe each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority. Therefore, Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other.

We believe Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the triune God. It is the first step of obedience following salvation and serves as a public declaration of the believer’s devotion to Christ and commitment to their local community of faith. Immersion in water identifies the believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—as one dies to self, surrenders to Christ, and is raised with him in newness of life.

Romans 6:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Acts 8:36-39; Acts 2:38, 41

At Berean, baptism is required for membership. Attending our First Connection gathering is the first step toward baptism and/or membership. If you are interested in being baptized or becoming a member of Berean, sign up for First Connection here: 

Sign up for First Connection Child/Student Baptism Application

We believe church membership is a covenant relationship with God and one another to pursue the gospel in our lives, community, and world. The Bible explains the existence and importance of local churches and the necessity of belonging to one for spiritual growth and health. 

Accountability:
Hebrews 13:17
Church membership provides accountability for church members and leadership. Accountability is designed to help us be faithful in our walk with Jesus and to help the pastors and elders shepherd and protect the body.

Belonging:
Hebrews 10:24-25
Belonging to a local church provides love, acceptance, stability, and purpose as we intentionally live our lives together as Christ-followers.

Care:
Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11-16
As members, we come alongside each other to encourage, equip, and empower one another to grow in our relationship with Jesus.

Biblical Requirements for Membership:

Salvation:
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man and is offered freely to all who put their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

We believe the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God, speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, and is the sole and final source of all we believe. For Berean’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, the Elder Board is our final interpretive and protective authority on the Bible’s meaning and application. All people employed by Berean in any capacity or united to Berean in membership must agree to and abide by this Statement of Faith for as long as they are employed or united in membership.