We desire to be a church where people are united in their love for Jesus and their desire to live for Him. We know that we will have differences in the way we approach things, but don't want that to hinder us from living Jesus > everything. With that in mind, our beliefs are viewed with this motto "In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity."
ABOUT GOD
We believe in one living, perfect, personal, all-powerful (omnipotent), all-knowing(omniscient), all-present (omnipresent), loving God who is the creator and sustainer of the entire universe –heaven and earth– even life itself. The complexity and wonder of the universe is evidence of God’s existence and power.
While there is only One God, He eternally exists as three persons: Father, Son, HolySpirit, and each person is fully God.
(Genesis 1; 1 John 4:7-12; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16-17;Matthew 28:19; Romans 1:20; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians13:14; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2)
ABOUT JESUS
We believe Jesus is the one and only Son of God and is also God himself. He became flesh to reveal God to humanity.
Jesus lived a perfect life, to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He died and then rose from the dead and in doing so He both provided substitutionary atonement for us and proved that His love conquers death. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection guarantees all those who follow Him have eternal life and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
After his death, burial, and resurrection Jesus ascended into heaven. He will return at the appointed time to judge the living and the dead.
(John 1:1-14; John 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Romans 4:24b-25, Romans 9:5; 1 Corinthians 15:2-7, Colossians 2:9, Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 4:14-15; Hebrews 10; Hebrews 12-14;Jude 1:21; Titus 2:13; 1 John 2:1-2)
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person, co-equal with God the Father and God theSon and of the same essence. The Holy Spirit is also distinct. The indwelling of the HolySpirit convicts people of sin, and gives life to the spiritually dead, who receive Jesus Christ as Savior. He leads, instructs, and empowers for godly living and service. As we learn more about Him and His work through Scriptures, and prayer, we yield to Him(allow Him to direct and control our thoughts, words, and actions), He beautifies our character with the fruit of the Spirit and transforms us to be more Christ-like. Believers should seek to live under His control daily.
(2 Corinthians 3:17, John 14:16-17; 16:7-13, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16,Ephesians 1:13-14, Ephesians 5:18, Galatians 5:22-25; 1 Corinthians 12:4-13; Romans 8; John 7:37-39)
ABOUT THE HUMAN CONDITION
We believe that God created all things in heaven and on earth for His glory. Humankind was uniquely created and set apart from creation as image-bearers of God. Humans were created innocent and were invited to trust God and enjoy a perfectly harmonious relationship with Him and each other. Sadly, humans sinned, bringing both spiritual and physical death to themselves and their posterity (Sin is not just an issue that “happened at the beginning” but is something that each human participates in). Humanity’s sin makes it impossible for self- redemption (There is nothing we can do to earn back the right to be in a relationship with God). By God’s grace and love, He sent His son (Jesus) to atone for humanity’s sins. Through Jesus’ death on the cross He received our due punishment, and His resurrection proved His power over the result of humanity’s sin(death). Jesus offers this gift to all, but the gift must be accepted. Believing in Jesus means placing your faith in His work as God’s son, repenting of your sins, and confessing Him as Lord and Savior of your life. While sin will still exist in the world and in believers’ lives, believers should “offer their bodies as living sacrifices” by: pursuing a deepening relationship with Him, allowing the Holy Spirit to shape them to have the character of Christ, and allowing the goodness of God to shine through them.
(Genesis 1; Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:1-24; Isaiah 43:7, Ephesians 1:11-12 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; John 3:16-21; John 15:4-5; Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 10:9-11; Matthew 5:16; Romans 12:1-2; Romans 3:9-26)
ABOUT SALVATION
We believe that every person is lost in sin apart from Jesus and in need of a Savior. God, in the ultimate expression of love, sent His son Jesus Christ to die as a full and sufficient payment for the sins of the entire world. Jesus’ shed blood is the only provision by which an individual may be delivered from their sin and the wrath of God. AcceptingJesus’ sacrifice doesn't only save us from our sin, it also saves us for an eternal life in fellowship and joy with God. Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never makeup for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life and the Holy Spirit’s indwelling begin the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
(Romans 5; Romans 3:23-26, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 14:6; 1:12, Titus 3:4-8)
ABOUT SCRIPTURE
We believe the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God. Men were moved by the Holy Spirit of God to write the very words of Scripture.
The entire Bible is without error.
The Bible is God’s Word and is a reliable and sufficient guide for our lives today just like it was when it was originally written.
(Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21, John 17:17, Psalm 19:7-9)
ABOUT BAPTISM
Baptism is a significant step in every believer’s spiritual journey of faith in Christ. At RealLife we believe every person who places their faith in Christ should be baptized, as Christ commanded. Every example of New Testament Baptism we see in the Bible demonstrates that first a person comes to believe in Christ, repents of their sinful life, and then he or she is baptized.
Water baptism is a visual demonstration of a person’s union with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection. It signifies that a former way of life has been put to death and announces the release from sin and death.
(Acts 2:38; Acts 8:38-39; Acts 10:43-48; Rom. 6:1-14; Matthew 28:19-20; Galatians 3:27)
ABOUT COMMUNION
Christ specifically commanded the Lord’s Supper, which is to be observed by believers until he returns.
This practice symbolizes the sacrifice of Christ’s body and the shedding of His blood on our behalf. Communion is to be observed repeatedly throughout the Christian life as a memorial reminder and celebration of Christ’s work on the Cross. Believers should take communion with an attitude of faith and self-examination, seeking areas of their life where confession, relational restoration, and thanksgiving need to be pursued. Additionally, in taking communion believers proclaim the death of Christ and signify their unity with other members of Christ’s body.
(1 Corinthians 11:20-34; Matthew 26:17-29)
ABOUT THE CHURCH
We believe that the Church is made up of all who have saving faith in Jesus Christ and is the embodiment of Christ here on earth. As part of His body, we are called to build God’s Kingdom by sharing the Gospel, serving, worshipping, and responding obediently to God’s directing. The Church was instituted by God, commissioned by Christ, and is led by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Purpose of the Church
Ministry to God: Worshipping God
(Col 3:16, Ephesians 1:12, Ephesians 5:16-19)
Ministry to Believers: Nurture every Christian toward maturity in Christ.
(Col 1:28, Ephesians 4:12-13)
Ministry to the World: Evangelism to make disciples of all nations, serving believers and unbelievers alike.
(Matt 28:19, Luke 6:35-36, Luke 4:40)
(Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:1-16; 1 Peter 2:5,9; Colossians 1:18, Acts 2:1-4, 42-47)
ABOUT LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH
Jesus is the head of the Church and has all authority. We seek to reflect his priorities in all that we do and to make decisions that are consistent with Jesus’ teachings.
The elders will be the governing body of the Church. As such, they will be responsible to the congregation for administering the spiritual and business affairs of the Church. Each elder is accountable to God, one to another, the total eldership, and the members. The Church may have certain teams, groups or ministries, which will have and exercise some prescribed authority of the elders in the management of the Church.
Real Life Christian Church is staff lead and elder empowered. We have a leadership team consisting of the Elders, Lead Pastor, and Executive Director/Pastor who work together to establish vision and direction for the Church.
(Matthew 28:18, Ephesians 1:22-23, 1 Peter 4:4)
MARRIAGE, SEXUALITY AND GENDER
We believe the term “marriage” has only one meaning and that is marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, equally yoked, as delineated in Scripture.
(Genesis 1:26-28, Genesis 2:18-24, Matthew 19:4-5, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, 1 Timothy 1:9-11, Ephesians 5:21-33)
We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
We believe that every person is created in the image of God and should be treated as such. We also acknowledge that there is a lot of confusion in words used within the context of gender discussions. We recognize that the current social language uses “sex”and “gender” in mutually exclusive ways- with the assumption that one’s biological sex is completely separate from how one may identify their own gender. We believe that God is the assigner of sex and one’s gender is inextricably tied to their sex. We recognize that people do struggle with gender tensions and we commit to loving all people as Christ loved them- full of grace and truth.
(Genesis 1:27, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Matthew 19:4, 1 Corinthians 11:2-16)
FINAL STATEMENT
The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of church doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Elders are the church’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.
*Our statement of faith on Baptism can be found in the above belief section.
WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
To follow the commandment of Christ. “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 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) To demonstrate your faith. “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27) “...and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.” (Acts 18:8) To follow Christ’s example. “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.” (Mark 1:9)
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BAPTISM?
In Romans 6:1-11, the apostle Paul explains how baptism by immersion identifies the believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Saving faith is a specific belief in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism signifies outwardly the inner change wrought in the heart through the power of faith in Christ’s saving work for all who will receive him as Savior. In baptism, you commit yourself to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
WHY BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION?
Jesus was baptized by immersion. “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.” (Matthew 3:16) Every Example of Baptism we see in the Bible was by immersion. “Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water...” (Acts 8:38-39) The word “baptize” literally means to “dunk or immerse under water.”
WHAT ABOUT INFANT BAPTISM?
In the Bible, Jesus held children, prayed for them, and taught us all to welcome them; but, He did not baptize them or tell anyone else to baptize them. Even though you may have experienced baptism as an infant, the full meaning and significance of baptism has yet to take place in your life. Therefore, if you were baptized as an infant, we would encourage you to talk to someone about being baptized by immersion.
IS BAPTISM BY IMMERSION NECESSARY TO BECOME A MEMBER AT REAL LIFE?
Yes. Our heart’s desire is to obey the clear teaching of God’s word. Your baptism as a believer represents obedience to Christ’s command for all who have come to faith. If you have already been baptized by immersion, you do not have to be baptized again.
