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WHAT WE BELIEVE
Biblical principles that guide us
The Bible is the inspired word of God and the final authority for all matters of faith
Romans 15:4, Hebrews 4:13, 2 Timothy 3:16
We believe the Bible is God's inspired Word. It teaches us what to believe and how to live. Our movement started with these sayings: "Where the Bible speaks, we speak; where the Bible is silent, we are silent" and, "In faith, unity; in opinion, diversity, in all things, love."
What that means to us: The Bible overrules every human opinion and interpretation but we are free to have interpretations and opinions about non-essential doctrines - as long as we hold them with humility and grace and as long as we can make a convincing case for them from Scripture.
God is the creator of all people and of all things
Genesis 1:1, Acts 17:24-28
We believe that "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). We require no other creed. He alone is Lord and Savior.
There is only one God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Matthew 3:16-17, John 14:9-10
We believe that there is one true God, Creator of the universe, ultimate author of the Bible, who hears and answers prayer. He eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ is God’s only Son, the Savior of the world, and the Head of the church
John 3:16, Matthew 1:18-21, Colossians 1:13-23
We believe that Jesus is the Son of God. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on a cross for all sin, and rose again from the grave after three days. He ascended to Heaven and will return to earth at the end of time.
Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. The saved will inherit eternal life; the unsaved, eternal separation from God
Romans 8:10-11, Daniel 12:2, John 6:47
We believe that people were created to exist forever. Our destiny depends on what we do with Jesus. After death, all people will be resurrected into the spiritual world and will face a judgement that will determine the fate of each individual. The Bible teaches that those who have rejected Jesus will spend eternity in Hell and those who have received Him will be received into Heaven, to spend eternity in the presence of God.
The Holy Spirit dwells within every Christian
John 16:5-15, Romans 8:1-14
We believe the Holy Spirit is one with the Father and Son. Those who accept Jesus as their Savior will receive the Holy Spirit to live inside them. He serves as a comforter, guide, and advocate, helping Christians to understand the Bible and empowering them to live a mature life in Christ. The Holy Spirit gives each believer one or more spiritual gifts for Christian service.
Salvation (the forgiveness of sins) is offered to all people and comes only by grace through the blood of
Jesus Christ (His death on the cross) and His resurrection from the dead
Matthew 26:28, Romans 5:8-11, Ephesians 2:8-9,
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
We believe that people were designed to have a personal friendship with God. However, even if we did not have the Bible, we would be able to tell that something is seriously wrong with people. The Bible calls it sin and tells us that it separates us from fellowship with God. The free gift of salvation and eternal life is available to every human being through faith, expressed in repentance and baptism. In accordance with the New Testament, we practice believer's baptism by immersion.
It is God’s plan for the elders to lead the local church
Acts 20:28, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Peter 5:1-4
Like the church in the New Testament, Hillside is shepherded by men chosen as elders from the membership, assisted by deacons who are also members of the congregation. We are subject to no other congregation or organization - only to Christ. However, we do cooperate with local churches of many denominations to support our community and we collaborate with churches in our fellowship for worldwide missions, benevolent associations and church planting.
The Bible teaches that the pattern to follow to receive Jesus as Savior is to believe in Christ as God’s Son and Savior of the world, to repent of personal sin, to confess Christ as Lord, and to be baptized (immersed) into Christ
John 20:30-31, Acts 2:38, Romans 10:9, Romans 6:1-7
If a person wants to be a New Testament Christian, that person should do the things people did in the New Testament to become Christians.
Therefore...
• People need to hear the gospel (Romans 10:17)
• People need to believe it (John 3:16)
• People need to repent of their sins (Acts 2:38)
• People need to confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10)
• People need to be baptized into Christ (Matthew 28:19)