What is your story? Have you had
more bad days than good? Has this year been great or have you had better? Well,
no matter what season of life we find ourselves in, we all have one thing in
common; God is at work all around us and His story is alive and well today.
Westview Christian Church is a
community of people who don’t have it all together. Instead, we are people who
have caught a glimpse of God and His grace and His provision. Our desire is to
be a part of His story. A story filled with strength for the weak, humility for
the proud, comfort for the hurting, and forgiveness for the imperfect.
Our church is based on Biblical
principles and is non-denominational. The Bible is preached, with
messages that offer up direction for living God's Word. There is a good
deal of music, followed by Communion Meditation and the taking of the Lord's
Supper at each Sunday Morning Service. I think you will find our church
comfortable and the message one that will bless your heart.
We could go on and on about our core
beliefs but the fact is we only know one thing for sure, God is a God of
restoration. He is actively pursuing our hearts, minds, and our lives. In
response we strive to give Him everything and to tell others about Him.
THE ESSENTIALS WE
BELIEVE
1. ABOUT GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the
universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit. The three are co-equal and are one God.
2. 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 people 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 someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of
Lords.
Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5; Hebrews 4:14-15; I
Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9-11;
3. ABOUT THE HOLY
SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the
Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of
their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment
of baptism. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of
spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a
spiritual gift when they become a Christian. As Christians we seek to live
under his control daily.
II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; I Corinthians
2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25;
4. ABOUT THE
BIBLE
The Bible is God's Word to us. 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.
II
Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6
5. ABOUT HUMAN
BEINGS
People are made in the spiritual image
of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's
creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us
are marred by sin, that if unforgiven, separates us from God and causes many
problems in life.
6. ABOUT
SALVATION
Salvation is God's free gift to us but
we must accept it. Salvation and the forgiveness of sins are achieved only by
grace through the blood of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that one
receives God’s grace by putting faith in Christ, repenting of sin, confessing
Christ, being immersed into Christ, and living in obedience to his Word.
7. ABOUT ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We
will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God
through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell.
To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of
eternal existence.
John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15;
What we practice
Beliefs are
not worth much unless they are translated into actions. Based on what the Bible
teaches, we feel very strongly about the following seven practices:
1. Bible as our
sole authority.
"The whole
Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us
what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it
straightens us out and helps us to do what is right.” 2 Tim. 3:15
Since God's Word is the only
completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual
for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is "What does
the Bible say?” We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible
memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.
2. Autonomy of
each local church.
"Christ is
the head of his Body, the church. He is the source of the Body's life ...”
Col. 1:18 (GN)
Christ is the recognized head of our
church, not any person, group, or religious organization. While recognizing the
value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we
believe every local church should be self-governing and independent from any
denominational control.
3. Priesthood
(Ministry) of every believer
"Christ
loves us, and by His death He has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom
of priests to serve God ... " Rev. 1:6 (GN) ”You are ... the King's priests ... God’s own
people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God.” 1 Pet. 2:9 (GN)
The Bible teaches that every Christian
is called to "full time" Christian service, regardless of his or her
vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by
encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every
believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading.
4. Tithing
"A tithe of
everything you produce belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” Lev.
26:30
At Westview Christian Church we
practice tithing for the support of Christ's Body, the church, as God commands.
We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard and the
starting point of giving.
5. Immersion
"For when
you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also
raised with Christ ... ” Col. 2:12
We practice baptism by immersion - the
way Jesus was baptized, and the way the Bible commands.
6. Spirit-led
living
We believe the only way possible to
live the Christian life is by God's power within us. So we seek to practice a
daily dependence on God's Spirit to enable us to do what is right. (Phil. 2:13;
Eph. 5:18)
7. Telling others
about Christ
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to
give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15
It is the responsibility of every
Christian to share the Good News with those whom God has brought us into
contact. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to
church.
Then Jesus came to them
and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20