WHAT WE BELIEVE

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe.  He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; called the Trinity. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 

2 Corinthians 13:14

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; 14:10-30; Hebrew 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; 

Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13

The Holy Spirit is God’s Spirit - God’s person and presence and influence given for our daily lives. 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. That’s what God’s Spirit is all about.  Jesus said, you need to be filled with power through God’s Spirit. Jesus was extremely clear about where this kind of power comes from.  “But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power.”  New Testament believers were constantly challenged to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4,5; Ephesians 5:18). All believers today are entitled to and should expect and seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, guidance in doing what is right, and the use of the gifts of the Spirit for the work of ministry.  He is the source of our life not just for salvation of past sins, but for everyday life. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. Verses that talk about the Holy Spirit and power in our lives are one of the most common themes in the Bible. Ephesians 5:18, “Don’t destroy yourself by getting drunk but let the Spirit fill your life.”  Galatians 5:22-23, “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” 

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

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. At The Garden Church we do our very best to make sure that the Bible is our final authority. 

2 Timothy 3:15-16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalms 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

People are made in the 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”.  

Genesis 1:27; Psalms 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2

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. We believe that man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. No sin is beyond God’s ability and willingness to forgive. We are all born into sin with the need of a Savior – who is Jesus. When we admit that we are a sinner, repent of our sins and believe in our heart we are saved from our sin. Old things are passed away and all things become new.

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

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. About the second coming of Jesus Christ… We believe in a pre-tribulation rapture. The main thing that we must agree about the second coming of Christ is that Jesus Christ is coming back. It is our responsibility to be ready, to have our hearts ready to meet Him.  

John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9