Sundown Ranch Community Church

Statement of Faith

Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself. John 7:16,17 Inspiration of Scriptures: We believe that the Holy Bible is the written Word of the Living God. We believe it was inspired by the Holy Spirit and recorded by holy men of old. It is infallible in content and a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction, which is truth without any mixture of error. The Bible reveals the principles by which God will judge us and reveals His great plan of salvation. It will remain eternally. We believe the Bible is the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. Therefore, we believe this Word should go into all the world and should be given first place in every believer's life (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:23-25; and 2 Peter 1:19-21). God: We believe in one God revealed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost...making up the blessed Trinity (Matthew 3:16,17; 1 John 5:6,7). Man: We believe that man, in his natural state, is a sinner- lost, undone, without hope, and without God (Romans 3:19-23; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:1,2,12). Salvation: We believe the terms of salvation are repentance toward God for sin and a personal, heartfelt faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is how the new birth occurs, which we call being "born again." Salvation is possible only through God's grace, not by our works. Works are simply the fruit of salvation (Acts 3:19,20; Romans 4:1-5, 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-10). Water Baptism should immediately follow the experience of the new birth as a public witness to one's faith (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38). Body of Christ: We believe the Body of Christ is made up of all who have been "born again" regardless of denominational differences. We believe in the spirit of unity, while allowing for variety in individual ministries as to their work, calling, and location as directed by the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:34,35; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31). Blood Atonement: We believe in the saving power of the blood of Jesus and His imputed righteousness (Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-9, 5:1-11; Ephesians 1:3-14). Bodily Resurrection: We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ (Luke 24:39-43; John 20:24-29). Ascension: We believe that Christ Jesus ascended to the Father and is presently engaged in building a place for us in His Kingdom and interceding for the saints (John 14:2,3; Romans 8:34). Second Coming: We believe in the visible, bodily return of Christ Jesus to this earth, to meet His Church (Bride) and to judge the world (Acts 1:10,11; Zechariah 14:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; James 5:8; Revelation 1:7). Ordinances: We believe that the two ordinances of the Body of Christ are water baptism and the Lord's Supper (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-26). Heaven and Hell: We believe Scripture clearly sets forth the doctrines of eternal punishment for the lost and eternal bliss and service for the saved - a literal hell for the unsaved (Lost) and Heaven for the saved (Born again believers) (Matthew 25:34,41,46; Luke 16:19-31; John 14:1-3; Revelation 20:11-15). Holy Spirit: We believe the Holy Spirit to be the third person of the Trinity whose purpose in the redemption of man is to convict of sin, regenerate the repentant believer, guide the believer into all truth, indwell all believers, and give gifts to those He wills that they may minister as Christ would to men. We believe that the manifestations of the Holy Spirit recorded in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 will operate through present-day Christians who yield to Jesus (Luke 11:13; John 7:37-39, 14:16,17, 16:7-14; Acts 2:1-18). We believe the baptism in the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance (1 Corinthians 14), is for all believers as promised by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11), Jesus (Acts 1:4-8), and Peter (Acts 2:38-41). The fulfillment of this promise was witnessed by early disciples of Christ (Acts 2:4, 10:44-47, 19:1-6) and operates in many present-day disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Divine Healing: We believe God has used doctors, medicines, and other natural means as channels of healing; however, we believe divine healing is provided for believers in the atonement made by Jesus' blood shed on the cross (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). We believe divine healing may be received by the laying on of hands by the elders (James 5:14-16), by the prayer of an anointed person gifted by the Holy Spirit for healing the sick (1 Corinthians 12:9), Or by a direct act of receiving this provision by faith (Mark 11:23,24).