Statement Of faith

1)  The Holy Scriptures

We believe the Bible, as the inspired word of God, was given to the human authors by the Holy Spirit (2Tim 3:16-17; 2Pet 1:19-21).

2)  The Godhead

We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; and that these three are the one and only God (Deut 6:4; Mt 28:19; Mk 12:29; Jn 1:1-4; Jn 14:16-17; Acts 5:3-4; 1Cor 12:4-6; 1Pet 1:2).

3)  The Person and Work of the Father

We believe that God the Father orchestrates all things for Christ and the believer (Eph 1:10; Rom 8:28).  He is above all, and the source of all blessings and gifts (James 1:17; Eph 1:3; Eph 4:6).  The Father elects/chooses, sanctifies and disciplines the believer (Jn 6:37-39; Jn 10:29; Eph 1:3-5; Jude 1:2; Heb 12:5-13).

We believe that the Father sent the Son and the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:16; Jn 14:26; Jn 15:26).

4)  The Person and Work of Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is eternal God who took upon Himself human flesh (Isa 9:6; Jn 1:1-5; Phil 2:6-8; Heb 1:1-3, 8).  He was born of a virgin (Isa 7:14; Lk 1:26-33), lived the sinless life (2Cor 5:21; Heb 7:26; Heb 4:15), died for our sins (Lev 17:11; Isa 53; Eph 1:7; Heb 2:9; Heb 9:22; 1Pet 1:18-19; 1Pet 2:24; Rev 1:5), was buried, rose again on the 3^rd day (Ps 16:10; Jn 10:18; Jn 20; Acts 2:24-28; 1Cor 15:3-23) and ascended to God the Father (Jn 20:17; Acts 1:9-11; Acts 7:55-56; Heb 9:24).

We look forward to the bodily return of Jesus Christ at His second coming, at which time He will judge the living and the dead (Mt 25:31-47; Lk 12:40; Jn 14:3; Acts 1:10-11; 1Cor 15:22-23; 1Thess 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev 22:20).

5)  The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to testify of Jesus Christ and to glorify Him.

We believe the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment (Jn 16:7-11). He indwells the believer (1Cor 6:19-20).  He is responsible for the new birth (Titus 3:5); for guidance, instruction (1Jn 2:27), encouragement (Rom 8:16), and the empowerment (Rom 8:26) of the believer for godly living and service (Eph 5:18-21).

6)  Sin

We believe that all are born in a state of sin and fall short of the glory of God.  Sin takes the opportunity to deceive and harden the heart to God.  This leads to the constant need of the Savior (Psalm 51:4-5; Rom 3:23; Rom 6:23; Rom 7:8; Heb 3:12-13; 1Jn 1:8-9).

7)  Salvation

We believe we must be born again (born from above) in Christ, by the Holy Spirit, whereby we are made children and heirs of God, resulting in our eternal salvation.  This frees us from the reign and condemnation of sin (Mt 25:46; Jn 1:11-13; Jn 3:3; Jn 8:36; Jn 10:27-29; Jn 17:3; Acts 4:10-12; Rom 6:12, 14; Rom 8:16-17; Rom 8:37-39; 1Thess 4:17; Titus 3:5-7; 1Jn 5:11-13).

8)  Last Things

We believe that God has appointed a day when Jesus Christ will bodily return (1Thessalonians 4:16; Titus 2:13; John 14:1-3; 1Corinthians 15:51-53; 1Thessalonians 4:155:11) in glory to judge the world in righteousness.

His justice will be displayed in the resurrection of all unbelievers to experience separation from God forever.  His mercy will be displayed by the gathering of all believers in resurrected and glorified bodies to everlasting life in the joyful presence of the Lord (Matthew 24.36; John 5.28,29; Matthew 25.31; Revelation 21.3; Mark 13.26,27; 2Thessalonians 1.7-10; Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 21.8).

9)  Condemnation

We believe that those who do not believe in Christ are condemned already.  However, in Christ there is no condemnation (Mt 25:46; Jn 3:18; Jn 5:28-29; 2Thess 1:7-9; Rev 20:10-15).

10)  The Person of Satan

We believe that Satan is a fallen angel, a persistent, though defeated enemy.  In order to stand firm against his schemes we must rely upon God and put on His full armor.  Satan stands condemned by God to the eternal Lake of Fire (Gen 3:1-16; Isa 14:12-14; Mt 13:39; Mt 4:1-11; Jn 8:44; Luke 10:18; Acts 5:3; Eph 6:10-17; 1Pet 5:8-9; Rev 12:9; Rev 20:1-3, 10).

11) The Conduct of the Believer

We believe the Holy One dwells within us, that our body is His temple, and that we are not our own. Therefore, we are to glorify God in body and in spirit (Rom 12:1-2; 1Cor 6:19-20; Gal 5:16-26; Eph 4:6; 1Thess 4:3-5; 2Tim 2:19; James 4:7; 1Peter 1:14-16; 2Peter 1:2-8).

12) The Church

We believe that Christ is the head (Eph 1:22) of the one true church, which is His body (Eph 5:23-27).  It is comprised of all those, living and dead, who have placed their faith in Christ alone (1Thess 5:9-10; Rom 14:8).  The Rainbow Community Church is the local manifestation of that body (1Cor 4:17), governed by elders, who are men ordained for the purposes set forth in Scripture (1Tim 5:17; Titus 1:5-9; 1Tim 3).

13) Baptism and Communion

We believe that baptism and communion are commands from Christ that are to be observed during the present age.  They are signs that point to the reality of Christ and are not to be regarded as means of salvation (Mt 28:19; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:38; Acts 16:30-33; 1Cor 10:16-17; 1Cor 11:23-30).

14) Sexual Purity

We believe that God established the marriage covenant between a man and a woman alone.  Sexual union is only allowed in the marriage covenant.  All other sexual thoughts and practices are outside of God’s revealed will (Gen 2:20-24; Lev 18:22-24; Mt 5:27-28; Rom 1:25-32; 1Cor 5:9-13; 1Cor 6:9-11; 2Cor 10:5; Eph 5:22-33).