Statement of Faith

“Greater Destiny” is a multi-denominational church. Because of the many rich faith traditions that are represented in the room, we like to say, on the essentials, we practice unity. There are many non-essentials that many traditions of faith practice we believe, and in those standings, we give liberty. But in everything, above all else, we put into practice love! The essentials we call our non-negotiables. We find no stronger document of beliefs and essentials than what the church has embraced for centuries in the Nicene Creed.

THE BIBLE

We believe and are devoted to The Bible, both the old and new testaments. We believe the Bible is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible and inerrant.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25-26

GOD

We believe in one God the father Almighty, who stands alone supreme, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

Genesis 1; Psalm 24:10; John 1; Colossians 1:16; Psalm 145:5

JESUS

Jesus is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind and thus atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory.

John 1:1; 14, 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5-6; 1 Timothy 2:5

HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the promise of God who indwells believers and brings both comfort and conviction to their lives. He regenerates those who receive Christ as Savior and indwells them permanently, sealing them unto the day of redemption. It is Holy Spirit who enables the ability to walk in victory and abundance, while also giving spiritual gifts, leading, instructing, and empowering those surrendered to Him.

John 16:7-11, John 3:8, John 14:16-17; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 13; Ephesians 4:30, 5:18

CREATION & THE FALL

We believe that man was initially created innocent, and in the image and likeness of God, but that he sinned bringing both physical and spiritual death to himself and his posterity. Because of man’s choice to rebel against God, there is now an inherited and broken sinful nature and is alienated from God, which brings the need of salvation.

We may all be born a certain way, but we have need to be reborn in Jesus.

Genesis 1:27; 2:17; 3:19; Romans 5:17; Ephesians 2:1-3

SALVATION

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works, morality, or of any human efforts.

1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3; Romans 8:29, 12:1-2; Hebrews 2:11

REGENERATION

Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit in which the unredeemed soul, or inner person, is made new in response to the saving faith in the gospel of Jesus. Regeneration is the necessary beginning point for a life of discipleship, believing loyalty, to Jesus Christ & God, the Father.

Ephesians 2:1-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17

SANCTIFICATION

Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit in order to develop Christ-like character in us. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God, that the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life.

1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3; Romans 8:29, 12:1-2; Hebrews 2:11

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit, given at Pentecost, is the fulfillment of the new covenant promise of the Father for all believers. Each believer is baptized by Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ as part of salvation and regeneration. Every believer should also expect and seek the gift of the Holy Spirit that can be distinct and subsequent to his or her baptism into the Body of Christ. This baptism experience continuously empowers the believer for Christian service in God’s reconciliatory and redemptive work in the world. The presence of the Spirit in the believer is God’s definite means of endowment of gifting and power for service. As the believer surrenders more to the Spirit’s control, this empowerment will produce more and more fruit in the life of the believer.’

Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:5, 2:1-4, 17, 38-39, 8:14-17, 10:38, 44-47, 11:15-17, 19:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12:13

GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (SPIRITUAL GIFTS)

We believe the Holy Spirit is displayed through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the Church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, confirm the power of the Gospel, and to serve the world. The lists of these gifts in the Bible are not necessarily exhaustive and may occur in various combinations. We believe that all spiritual gifts are still valid for today, should always operate in harmony with the Word of God and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters. Every believer should eagerly desire spiritual gifts and develop these gifts to promote the gospel in their everyday lives.

Romans 1:11, 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-40; Ephesians 4:16; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:5-16; Hebrews 2:4; 1 Peter 4:10

THE CHURCH

Every person who is born of the Spirit is part of the universal Church as a member of the body of believers and is encouraged by Scripture to be planted in a local church. The Church is both the representative of Jesus on earth and the earthly expression of His kingdom. The purpose of the Church is to carry out the Great Commission. We believe in the significance of the church and the necessity of believers to meet regularly for study of the scriptures, fellowship, prayer, and the breaking of bread.

Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23; 1 Timothy 3:15; Acts 2:42-47

PRIESTHOOD OF THE BELIEVER

We believe that every believer was created on purpose and for purpose, therefore, every follower of Jesus is a priest (A Minister on Mission) and is enabled by the Holy Spirit to fulfill his or her calling in their homes, workplaces, and community.

Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23; 1 Timothy 3:15; Acts 2:42-47

SECOND COMING OF JESUS

Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures.

Matthew 24:30, 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7

WATER BAPTISM

Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We choose to practice full-immersion baptism because of the Biblical parallel of being ‘buried with Christ in baptism and raised to walk in new life’.

Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38, 10:47-48

COMMUNION (THE LORD'S SUPPER, THE EUCHARIST)

This is a beautiful and unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice (representing the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross, which fulfilled God’s requirement of just punishment for our sin and rebellion. This finished work of Jesus enabled our covenant relationship with God. When we come together ‘at the table’, we believe God meets us in that moment in a special and supernatural way.

We believe God wants everyone at His table (John 3:16), but we also believe there is a right and Biblical manner in which we humbly approach communion, as Paul clearly articulated for us in the book of Corinthians.

Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25