Our Essential Beliefs at Upwards Church :
To read one of the verses listed in blue, just click on it.
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 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. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; John 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
About The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make mankind aware of our need for Jesus Christ. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual gifts, and guidance in doing what is right. As Christian’s we seek to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; John 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16;Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25;
About The Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to all mankind. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 12:6; 119:105,160; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
About Human Beings
We are all made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. We are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although mankind has tremendous potential for good, we are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates us from God.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2
About Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God to mankind. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can we be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment we receive Jesus Christ into our life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
About Eternity
We all were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. The place of eternal separation from God is called Hell. Heaven is the place of eternal union and eternal life with God. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15 (Hell): Matthew 25:41; Revelation 21:27
Essential Beliefs:
The seven things listed here on our web site with the accompanying scriptures, are the beliefs we believe are “Essential.” The reason they are essential is that they represent the essentials of Christian faith. Without these core beliefs we cease to be Christian, and could be called a cult. For instance what are the essentials of say a building? A foundation, walls, roof, etc., with out these you don’t have a building. Our essential beliefs are essential to being a Christian church. Our members are united in thought and purpose on our essential beliefs. In the essentials we have unity.
Non-Essentials:
There are a lot of beliefs, convictions and preferences in the Christian life that are not essentials. There are various interpretations of some scriptures. There are some things you’re going to differ from other people on. We consider these to be non-essentials and in those there’s liberty. In those non essential beliefs we can have diversity.
For instance: Some people ask, “Are we a charismatic church?” I would not define us as “charismatic church” but we are not anti charismatic. There are people in this church who are very charismatic, who practice speaking in tongues, who believe that is an essential part of their faith and their walk with God. There are people who think that’s appalling and they don’t want anybody getting near them talking about speaking in tongues. Because we don’t believe it’s essential for salvation, it’s not one of these seven, it is one of the gifts of the spirit that God gives to whomever He will, we say you have liberty. If God has given you that gift, that’s great, as long as you don’t try to tell everybody else they have to have the same gift. That’s one example.
Another example: about the second coming of Jesus Christ. There are probably three main positions. You’re either pre-millennial, post‑ millennial, or amillennial. (If you have no idea what this means, don’t worry about it!) There is liberty. The only thing that we believe as you see in our seven essentials, that we teach about the second coming of Christ, is that Jesus Christ is coming back. It is our responsibility to be ready, to have our hearts ready to meet Him. Beyond that there are so many divergent views about the second coming of Christ. As long as you believe that, we can have liberty, we can discuss it, we can go back and forth in discussing. As long as the essential is you do believe Jesus Christ is coming back. In non-essential beliefs we have liberty.
In all our beliefs we show love, we have charity:
You can be so theologically correct, and you can have all the things worked out in Revelation about who the beast is and who the red horse is and what the bowl is and what the trumpet is and when this happens. And you can have Daniel figured out to the nth degree, but if you are not a loving person, who cares? The bottom line is we have unity in the things that matter, and that we allow each other liberty in the things that aren’t as important, and above everything else we relate to each other in a loving way. In all our beliefs – we show love.
Darrell
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