What We Believe

The First United Statement of Faith describes our core beliefs as a church. Anyone familiar with historical church doctrine will realize that these beliefs fall right in line with historical evangelical theology. Even the word "evangelical'', which comes from the the word evangel (which means Gospel) demonstrates that our theology is derived straight from the Bible, as opposed to speculative thinking or tradition. Core beliefs from the Bible are uncompromising, unwavering beliefs. There are many things that Christians have disagreed on over the years that the Bible is unclear about. First United does not take an official stance on those things, rather we leave it up to the individual to seek God and allow God to work and move in their life. We, as a church, will focus on the essential beliefs (those with clear, biblical support). We will leave non-essential beliefs (those with less clear or no biblical support) up to the freedom of the individual.

The Bible

The only foundation for our faith is the Bible, which contains everything a person needs to know God personally. It is made up of 66 books comprising the Old and the New Testaments, and paints the same love story throughout of God wooing God's wayward people back to Him. It was divinely inspired by God to be written by human authors, which contain their own individual styles, backgrounds, and cultural inflections. However, we believe that the Scriptures are the absolute and only authority on matters of faith and practice. No other writings are so inspired by God.

2 Timothy 1:13 & 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 12:6 & 119:105; Proverbs 30:5

God

We believe that there is only one true, holy, and living God, existing in three separate persons: the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. All three are distinct but inseparable, forming a perfect and eternal relationship among themselves. God showed his power, wisdom, and creativity when God made everything that is seen and unseen; God shows his sovereign might today by sustaining everything; God continues to fulfill God's ultimate plan of the redemption of His people by constantly and continuously offering freedom and grace.

Genesis 1-3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

Jesus Christ

Jesus is the eternal second member of the Trinity. He lived a perfect life, always loving perfectly as completely God and completely man, forever inseparable. He was conceived miraculously by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He voluntarily died on a cross to pay in full the debt of sin for all those that believe in Him alone, thus bridging the gap created by sin between God and people. After three days, He physically arose from the dead in His glorified body and now serves as the mediator between God and people continually interceding for those who belong to Him. One day, He will visibly return to earth for all to see, to ultimately fulfill God's plan of complete restoration.

Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5 & 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

Salvation

The Good News of the Bible is God's unmistakable pursuit of all people to come and be in relationship with Him. Even though people were originally created perfect to be in perfect relationship with God, they chose to go their own stubborn way and find life outside of God. The result was that people became separated from God, and their inner being, or soul, was corrupted. Every person since has suffered the same fate of turning from God and being eternally separated from Him, unable to restore that relationship by himself or herself. Therefore, salvation is an act of God that is completely and wholly initiated by God, that is not added to or improved by any act of human goodness or kindness. People are saved by faith in and the acceptance of God's free gift of grace-Jesus dying for once and for all---and nothing else.

Romans 3:23, 5:1, & 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12 & 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26 & 6:15

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third member of the Trinity who lives in every person who has a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is in the world reminding people of the need for God, nudging them toward a relationship with Christ, and then responsible for regenerating their heart. He is constantly with every believer to comfort them, sustain them, and encourage them. He gives every believer spiritual gifts with which to better connect and serve others, as well as instruction and application of the Scriptures. Only by consciously yielding to the direction and leading of the Holy Spirit can a person yield authentic fruit---good character and behavior---that is pleasing to God

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 14:16-17 & 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12 Ephesians 1:13 & 5:18; Galatians 5:16-26 & 3:16;
Human Destiny

Humans were created to exist forever. Death seals the eternal destination for each person. Everyone, at some point in time, will be resurrected and judged, which will determine the ultimate fate of the individual. Unbelievers will exist eternally separated from God, the result of their own rejection of Him. Believers will exist eternally in communion with God, the result of their own faith in what Christ has done for them.

John 2:25 & 3:16; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8 & 2:44-46

The Church

Once a person begins a relationship with Jesus Christ, he or she is a member of Christ's body--the Church. The Church universal is comprised of all who claim that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. The Bible paints vivid pictures of what believers are to do when they gather, worship, pray, encourage, submit, have fun with each other, teach the Word of God, serve and love each other through their creative giftedness, share communion, baptism and reach out to the world. When this happens, the church functions as a healthy organism. Members are to work diligently to do everything in unity, keeping disharmony at a standstill, and ultimately, glorifying Christ above all.

Acts 2:42-47