Birch Ridge Community Church

We believe in one God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and the Savior of all who put their faith in Him alone for eternal life. We affirm the final authority of the Bible in all matters of faith and practice. As a church in the Wesleyan tradition that embraces the full authority of God’s Word, we hold to the essentials of the Christian faith, shaped by biblical truth and centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The following details make up our church statement of beliefs and outline our primary doctrinal positions

What We Believe

  • We believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God. Composed of 66 books: 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament. The Bible was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the final and sufficient authority for all doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.

    “All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.” — 2 Timothy 3:16–17 


    “…for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” — 2 Peter 1:21

  • We believe in one eternal, sovereign, and holy God who exists in three coequal, coeternal persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This divine mystery is known as the Trinity. Each Person of the Trinity is fully God, distinct in personhood yet unified in essence.

    God the Father

    The Father is the Creator and Sustainer of all that exists. He is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), and omnipresent (always present everywhere), actively governing all things according to His will and purpose.

    “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1

    “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.” — Psalm 103:19

    God the Son (Jesus Christ)

    Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, coequal with the Father and uncreated. From eternity past, He has existed in perfect fellowship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, He became incarnate, taking on human flesh while remaining fully divine.

    “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” — John 1:1

    “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.’”— John 8:58


    Through the virgin birth, Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of Mary. He lived a sinless life, performed miracles, was crucified for the sins of the world, rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will return in glory to judge the living and the dead.

    “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” — John 1:14

    “For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” — 1 Corinthians 15:3–4

    God the Holy Spirit

    The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. He convicts the world of sin, regenerates believers, indwells them permanently at salvation, and empowers them for holy living and ministry. He distributes spiritual gifts for the building up of the Church and the fulfillment of God’s purposes.

    “And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment.” — John 16:8

    “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” — Romans 8:11

  • Human beings were created in the image of God—male and female—to glorify God, enjoy fellowship with Him, and steward His creation. Humanity is the crown of God’s creation, distinct from animals and filled with eternal purpose. Human life is sacred and begins at conception and God’s sovereignty reigns over all humanity.

    “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” — Genesis 1:27

    “Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty! You have him rule over the works of Your hands.” — Psalm 8:5–6

    “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you…” — Jeremiah 1:5

  • Though created good, humanity fell into sin through the disobedience of Adam and Eve. As a result, all people are born with a sinful nature, are totally depraved, and are spiritually dead—separated from God and unable to save themselves apart from His grace.

    “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23

    “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned...” — Romans 5:12

    “And you were dead in your offenses and sins…” — Ephesians 2:1

  • Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. It is entirely a gift of God—not earned by good works or religious effort. Through Christ’s substitutionary death and victorious resurrection, those who repent and believe are justified, adopted into God’s family, and receive eternal life.

    “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9

    “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” — John 3:16

  • The Church is the global body of all true believers in Jesus Christ, expressed locally through gatherings of worship, teaching, discipleship, service, and evangelism. Christ is the Head of the Church, and its mission is to glorify God by making disciples of all nations.

    “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” — Acts 2:42

    “…for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ…” — Ephesians 4:12

    Worship

    Worship is the heart of the Church’s life and ministry. Believers are called to glorify God with reverence, gratitude, and joy—both individually and corporately. Worship encompasses praise, prayer, sacrament, and is primarily the daily offering of our lives to God.

    “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” — John 4:24

    “Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips praising His name.” — Hebrews 13:15

    “'Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” — Romans 12:1

    Teaching

    The Church is responsible for the faithful teaching and proclamation of God’s Word. Sound doctrine builds up believers and protects the body of Christ from false teaching.

    “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.” — 2 Timothy 4:2

    “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another…” — Colossians 3:16

    Discipleship

    Discipleship is the process of growing in Christ through the Word, prayer, community, and obedience. Every believer is called not only to follow Christ but also to help others follow Him.

    “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to follow all that I commanded you.” — Matthew 28:19–20

    “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful people who will be able to teach others also.”
    —2 Timothy 2:2

    Service

    The Church is called to serve one another and the world in love. Every believer is gifted and empowered by the Holy Spirit to build up the body and reflect Christ through humility and action.

    “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.” — 1 Peter 4:10

    “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:45

    Evangelism

    The Church is commanded to proclaim the gospel to all people. Evangelism is not optional but essential and compelled by the love of Christ and empowered by the Spirit to witness in word and deed.

    “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” — Acts 1:8

    “How then are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?” — Romans 10:14

  • We affirm two primary ordinances instituted by Christ:

    • Baptism is the public declaration of a believer’s faith in Christ and symbolizes union with His death, burial, and resurrection. It is not only an important proclamation to make as a believer, but it is commanded as an act of obedience for believers. Baptism however is not a requirement for salvation and has not salvific qualities.

    “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.” —Romans 6:4

    • The Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice and a proclamation of His return. Communion is held in high regard and should be practiced with great reverence but is not a requirement for salvation.

    “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me… For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” — 1 Corinthians 11:24, 26

  • Marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God between one man and one woman. The family is God’s primary institution for the nurture of faith, moral instruction, and loving relationships. Children are a blessing and should be raised in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

    “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” — Genesis 2:24


    “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right… Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” — Ephesians 6:1, 4

  • We believe in the literal, bodily return of Jesus Christ. He will return to judge the living and the dead, establish perfect justice, and reign in glory. His return is the blessed hope of the Church and will usher in the consummation of God’s redemptive plan.

    “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them… and so we will always be with the Lord.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

    “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne… He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” —Matthew 25:31–32

    “And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment…” — Hebrews 9:27

  • Eternity is the final and everlasting state of all people. After judgment, each person will consciously exist forever—either in God’s presence or separated from Him. Eternity underscores the urgency and significance of the gospel.

    Heaven

    Heaven is the eternal dwelling place of believers in the presence of God. It is a place of joy, rest, worship, and unending fellowship with the Triune God. There will be no more death, pain, or sorrow. Believers will inherit resurrected bodies and live in a restored creation.

    “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth… And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people… and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” — Revelation 21:1, 3–4

    “In My Father’s house are many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you.” — John 14:2

    Hell

    Hell is the eternal punishment for those who reject Christ. It is a place of conscious separation from God’s mercy and grace, described as a lake of fire and eternal darkness. Though God desires that none perish, those who refuse His grace remain under His just wrath

    “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” — Revelation 20:15

    “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” — Matthew 25:46

  • We believe that all believers are called to pursue holiness. Through the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit, Christians are enabled to live lives of obedience, purity, humility, and love. Sanctification is both a definitive work at salvation and a progressive journey of growth in Christlikeness.

    “But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written: ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” — 1 Peter 1:15–16

    “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely… Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will do it.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24

    “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” — Galatians 2:20

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