God is bigger and better and closer than we can imagine.

• The Bible is God’s perfect guidebook for living.
• Jesus is God showing himself to us.
• Through His Holy Spirit, God lives in and through us now.
• Nothing in creation “just happened.” God made it all.
• Grace is the only way to have a relationship with God.
• Faith is the only way to grow in our relationship with God.
• God has allowed evil to provide us with a choice; God can bring good even out of evil events and God promises victory over evil to those who choose him.
• Heaven and hell are real places. Death is a beginning, not the end.
• The church is to serve people like Jesus served people.
• Jesus is coming again.

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. These three are co-equal and are one God.

(Genesis 1:1, 26-27, Genesis 3:22, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, I Peter 1:2, II Corinthians 13:14)

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.

(Matthew 1:22-23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5, John 14:10-30, Hebrews 4:14-15, I Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3-4, Acts 1:9-11, I Timothy 6:14-15, Titus 2:13)

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 gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.

(II Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13, John 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, I Corinthians 2:12, I Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 5:18)

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, II Timothy 1:13, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:160, Psalm 12:6, Proverb 30:5)

ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the climax of God's creation and the supreme object of His love. 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)

ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

(Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 14:6, John 1:12, Titus 3:5, Galatians 3:26, Romans 5:1)

ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot lose your salvation. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.

(John 10:28-29, II Timothy 1:12, Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 10:10 Hebrews 10:14, I Peter 1:3-5)

ABOUT ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We will exist either 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 in heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

(John 3:16, John 2:25, John 5:11-13, Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:15, Matthew 1:8, Matthew 2:22, Matthew 46)

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:

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. II Timothy 3:16

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 also the head of the church, which is his body. Colossians 1:18

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. In relating to the "daughter churches" that we will sponsor, we will encourage each congregation to determine its own strategy, structure, and style.

3. Priesthood of every believer:

He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. Revelation 1:6

For you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God. I Peter 2:9

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:

One tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord and must be set apart to him as holy. Leviticus 26:30

At Seminole 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 of giving.

5. Immersion:

For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. Colossians 2:12

We practice baptism by immersion under water - the way Jesus was baptized, and the way the Bible commands.

6. Spirit-led living:

[Jesus said] Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God's power within us. We seek to practice a daily dependence on God's spirit to enable us to do what is right.

(Philippians 2:13, Ephesians 5:18)

7. Telling others about Christ:

If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. I Peter 3:15

It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those whom God brings us into contact with. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to church.