I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

“And Jesus Christ was revealed as God’s Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross—not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with his testimony. So we have these three witnesses” 1 John 5:6-7

There is one, true, Holy God who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God in being, character, power, and eternal qualities. In the beginning, God created the universe out of nothing. By God’s sovereign power, creation is continually sustained, and God’s redemptive purposes are being fulfilled.

Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary by miraculous conception, lived a sinless human life, and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all by dying on the cross. Jesus physically rose from the dead after three days, demonstrating God’s power over sin and death. He ascended into heaven, where He rules as our Lord and mediates between God and people. He will return again to earth in the future to establish God’s perfect peace and justice for eternity.

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and Son, and is present in the world to make people aware of their sin and their need for Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation, providing the Christian with power for living, knowledge of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing God’s will. The Holy Spirit is involved in continually transforming each follower into the image of Christ, and is actively working within the Christian community to bring about God’s plan of redemption for all people and all creation.

Human beings are the supreme object of God’s creation, made in the image of God to be like God in character. Although we have tremendous potential for good, everyone is marred by an attitude of rebellion toward God called sin, which separates people from God. Human beings are incapable of beginning or maintaining a relationship with God through our own knowledge or effort.

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23

People are created to exist forever. Every person will either exist eternally in union with God through salvation offered only through Jesus Christ (heaven), or exist eternally separated from God by sin (hell). 

 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.” Matthew 25:46

Salvation is a gift from God to all people. Human beings can never cancel their sin debt through self improvement or by good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can a person be forgiven of their sins and the penalty of sin and instead enjoy the blessing of a personal relationship with God through Jesus.

We become Christians and experience God’s salvation when we take two simple, yet powerful, steps:

1. Confess that you are imperfect and in need of God’s forgiveness

2. Believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead as payment for your sins.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” Romans 10:9-10

The Bible, comprising the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is God’s Word to all. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. The scriptures are inspired by God and they are infallible in the original  manuscripts. They contain the blueprint for the Christian life, and they are the unique and final authority on all matters of faith and practice. There are no other writings similarly inspired by God. 

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”             2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Church is the Body of Christ present in the world today, comprised of all of those who have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, who is the head of the Church. The Church exists to glorify God, edify believers, declare and demonstrate God’s justice and mercy for all, and to share the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ with the world. Every believer is equipped with at least one spiritual gift, and called and empowered by the Holy Spirit to serve in God’s mission to the world. 

“God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.” Ephesians 1:22-23

Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. This church recognizes that it cannot bind the conscience of individual members in areas where Scripture is silent. Rather, each believer is to be led in those areas by the Holy Spirit, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, to whom every believer is ultimately responsible.

“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” 1 Peter 1:13-15

We believe in two sacraments: Holy Baptism and Holy Communion (the Lord’s Supper), which were both practiced by Jesus. The sacraments are to be celebrated within the gathered Church. Holy Baptism and Holy Communion are both signs and means of God’s grace, meaning that they help us to remember and to experience the love, acceptance, and forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ.

Holy Baptism is the sacrament that a believer receives once during his or her life. Baptism connects us with God’s mighty acts of salvation and His Church. We are not “saved” at the moment of Baptism; rather salvation happens when we invite Jesus into our lives as our Lord and Savior. Once we make that commitment, scripture calls us to publicly profess our faith through Baptism. Though we still sin after Baptism, we renew our faith by confessing our sins to God, we turn away from that sin, and we reaffirm our faith in Christ alone. The River at Eureka joins the apostolic church in administering baptism by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion in water.

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38

Holy Communion is the sacrament that we typically celebrate on the first weekend of each month. Communion reminds us of the Last Supper that Jesus shared with His disciples in the Upper Room as He prepared them for His death on the cross. The bread and the grape juice that we use are symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, which were broken and shed for our sin. Communion is not only a time to remember Christ’s death, but it’s also an anticipation of Christ’s second coming, a time when we will sit at His table and enjoy fellowship with Christ and His Church in the Kingdom of Heaven. Holy communion is open to anyone, regardless of age or church membership.

“”And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”” Luke 22:19-20