OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH
What We Believe

In essential beliefs — we have unity.
 “There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all...”  Eph. 4:4-6

In non-essential beliefs — we have liberty.
 “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters...  Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?  To his own master he stands or falls...  So then each of us will give an account of himself to God...  So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.”  Romans 14:1,4,12,22

In all our beliefs — we show charity.
 “...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.”  1 Cor. 13:2  (Ph)

The Essentials We Believe:
MHCC holds the following two items as essential to a saving Christian faith

We hold that the Bible is God's inspired word, and is the ultimate source of knowledge about God, as well as the definitive guide for our daily lives. The Bible is authoritative.  Where the Bible speaks we speak. Where the Bible is silent, we are silent.

Jesus Christ is the one and only way for all mankind to gain eternal life with God in Heaven.

The following items reflect the theology that will be taught from the pulpit and other teaching forums at MHCC.

1.      About God
There is only one God, manifested to us in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; they are co-equal. God is eternal, with no beginning and no end, all knowing, and all powerful. God is all good, and completely separated from evil and sin. God is the creator of all things. 
Deuteronomy 6:4;  Exodus 20:2,3;  Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22; 
I Corinthians 8:6

2.      About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  He is co-equal with the Father.  He was born of a virgin and performed many miracles throughout his life on earth. 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. 
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

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 salvation.  He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.  He give every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved.  As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17;  John 16:7-13, 14:16,17;  Acts 1:8;
1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16;  Ephesians 1:13;  Galations 5:25;
Ephesians 5:18

4.      About the Bible
The Bible, in its original form, is without error and entirely of God - inspired, inerrant, and fully authoritative. Though it may be that some anomalies are present in the extant manuscripts, we affirm that they are inconsequential, and do not affect clear Biblical teachings. Until manuscript evidence is found that would indisputably require a correction, the Bible stands as it is in its present form, and is fully authoritative in all matters of life and faith. By this we mean that we are to be in submission to, and live by the teachings of the Bible in all matters of moral and social behavior. In doing so we also recognize that the Old Testament represents the old covenant between God and man, and the New Testament represents the new covenant. Therefore the Old Testament is to be interpreted in light of the New Testament.
II Timothy 3:16,17; Hebrews 4:12, 8:1-13, 9:1-28,
II Peter 1:19-21.

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 an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”.   This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27;  Psalm 8:3-6;  Isaiah 53:6a;  Romans 3:23;  Isaiah 59:1, 2

6.      About Salvation
Salvation is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith, the gospel message, and the Holy Spirit are the primary agents that work in the lives of Christians. God demands that we come to him by faith. It is solely by the grace of God that anyone is saved. Salvation accrues to a person only when there is a genuine acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ's death on the cross as payment for that person's sins. No amount of work can be done by anyone to earn their way to Heaven. Good works are the tangible evidence in a Christian’s life that he is serious about his faith, and is diligently striving to live a life of obedience.
John 14:6; Eph. 2:8-10

7.      About End Times
The second coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus will literally return from Heaven and claim all those who truly belong to him. There will be an end to all things. The righteous will be separated from the evil. The righteous will be with God, the evil will receive everlasting punishment. There will be a  new creation. The old heavens and earth will be destroyed and God will create a new heavens and a new earth.
Matthew 24:29-51, 25:31-46; II Thess. 1:5-10; Rev. 21:1-9.

8.      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 eternal life.  Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16;  John 14:17;  Romans 6:23;  Romans 8:17-18;
Revelation 20:15;  1 Cor. 2:7-9

9.      About Evil and Sin
Evil exists and is personified by Satan, who stands in rebellion to God. There are forces of evil that are in rebellion to God and the forces of good.
Is. 14:12-14;  John 8:44; I Peter 5:9.

10.    About the Ordinances of the Church
The New Testament reveals only two rites that are to be habitually practiced by Christians. Water baptism by full immersion is to accompany the conversion to Christianity. The Lord's Supper is to be a part of the worship service when Christians gather together to worship.
Matt. 28:19,20; Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:17-34

11.    About The Church        
It is the body of Jesus Christ on the earth. The ministry of the church is generally to worship God, share with the rest of the world the gospel of Jesus Christ, to build up the body of believers to full maturity in Christ, and to faithfully wait with eager anticipation the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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1000 Morello Hills Drive • Martinez, CA 94553
925.228.4346 • email us