What We Believe

What We Believe

Here is a general explanation of what we believe at Heartland Christian Center. These beliefs drive our vision and our values, and everything we do. Many of the items below provide one or more biblical references to explain the basis for that particular belief.

The Bible.  The Bible (also called the "word of God" or the "word") was spoken from God to men, who recorded it for the whole world. It’s a guide to all people and gives life to those trapped in sin. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible, authoritative, and the inerrant Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16 ; 2 Peter 1:21 )

God.  There is one God who always existed and always will. He exists in three equal persons (the Trinity): the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Father is the sender of the word (John 16:28 , John 1:14 ). The Son is the Word who became flesh (a man), and he has existed from the beginning (John 1:1, John 1:18 , John 1:14 ). The Holy Spirit is the "doer," performing the work of the Father and the Son (Genesis 1:2 ; John 15:26 ).

Jesus Christ. We believe in the deity of Christ (John 10:33 ), His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14 ; Matt 1:23 ; Luke 1:34-35 ), His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15 , 7:26), His miracles (John 2:11 ), His vicarious and atoning death (1 Cor 15:3 ; Eph 1:7 ; Heb 2:9 ), His resurrection (John 11:25 ; 1 Cor 15:4 ), His ascension to the right hand of God, the Father (Mark 16:19 ), and His personal return to earth in power and glory. (Acts 1:11 ; Revelation 19:11-13 ; Revelation 19:14-16 )

Salvation. We believe in the absolute necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit for salvation because of the exceeding sinfulness of the human nature, that all are justified on the single ground of faith in Christ and the finished work of the cross, and that only by God's grace through faith alone are we saved. (John 3:16-19 ; John 5:24 ; Romans 3:23 ; Romans 5:8-9 ; Ephesians 2:8-10 ; Titus 3:5 )

The New Birth.  Another term for salvation is "born again." You were already born naturally; when you’re saved, your spirit is reborn. Being born again is necessary for everyone and, when experienced, results in eternal life (John 3:3-5 ). 

Resurrection. We believe in the resurrection of believers unto everlasting life and blessing in heaven, and the resurrection of unbelievers unto everlasting punishment in the torments of hell.

People.  People are beings created by God and made in his image. When Adam (through the devil’s influence) did not obey God in the Garden of Eden, his disobedience caused all people to be cursed (Genesis 3 ) and disobedience (also known as "sin") to enter the world. 

Jesus Christ came to destroy the devil’s influence (1 John 3:8 ) and bring people back into relationship with God. He did this through his death, burial and resurrection (being raised from the dead). 

Salvation begins when we recognize we’re trapped in sin. From there, if we believe wholeheartedly that Jesus died, was buried and was raised again to free us from sin and reconnect us with God, we are saved. This salvation is worked out in us as this belief permeates our whole lives. Salvation is a free gift to man from God for anyone who chooses to trust him through Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10 ).

God’s Love In Us. We believe that we as Christians are examples of the love of God in this world. It is His selfless and unconditional love that we desire to possess and without it we have no right to call ourselves Christians. (1 John 4:16-17 )

Spiritual Unity. We believe in the spiritual unity of the believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:9 ; 1 Cor 12:12-13 ; Galatians 3:26-28 )

Baptism in Water.  Baptism (or being submerged) in water is a public demonstration to celebrate the spiritual transformation of being born again. It is symbolic of dying, being buried, then coming up out of the grave free of our former dead selves (John 3:3-21 ; Acts 8:27-39 ; Acts 10:47 ). 

Water baptism does not save you; instead it is a celebration of being saved. This is why water baptism is only offered to those who understand salvation and have received it. 

Baptism in the Holy Spirit.  Baptism (or being submerged) in the Holy Spirit is a free gift from the Holy Spirit to anyone who is both saved and willing to receive it (Mark 1:8 , Luke 11:13 ; Acts 19:1-6 ). This baptism isn’t visible to the naked eye, but it is often evidenced at first by speaking in a spiritual language (also known as "tongues," Acts 2:4 ). It’s then followed by a life of spirit-led actions and power (Acts 1:8 ; Galatians 5:22-23 ). 

Healing.  According to Isaiah 53:5 , Jesus paid for our healing when he suffered and died on the cross. Healing is received through prayer and/or when believers place their hands on the sick to pray for them. We believe that through the power of God in signs and wonders men can come to know Jesus. (Mark 16:15-20 , James 5:14-15 , 1 Peter 2:24 , Matthew 8:17 ). 

Worship. We believe that our whole lives are intended for Glorifying God. (I Pet 4:11; 1 Cor 10:31 ). We want to live our whole lives worshipping God in everything we do. (Romans 12:1 )  During the musical portion of our services we seek to honor God with our worship through song. We seek to worship in the same way David exampled for us in the psalms with both high energy and passion as well as reflective, reverent, and still hearts before Him. (Psalm 47:6 ; Psalm 149:3 ; Psalm 33:2 ; Psalm 27:6 ; Psalm 47:1 ; Psalm 119:120 ; Psalm 63:4 )

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