SECOND CHANCE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP CENTER

What We Believe 

The Bible is Our All-Sufficient Rule and Source for Faith and Life. These Statements of Faith are intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us (i.e., that we all speak the same thing, 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 2:42). The phrases themselves are not inspired by GOD, but are merely for fellowship based solely on the Word of GOD. No claim is made that it covers all Biblical Truth, only that it covers our need as to Word of GOD.

The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of GOD and are the Revelation of GOD to man; the Infallible, Authoritative Rule of Faith and Conduct (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21)

The One True GOD has revealed Himself as the Eternally Self-Existent "I AM," the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and the Redeemer of Mankind. He has further revealed Himself as the Triune GOD embodying the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10,11, Luke 3:22)

The Scriptures teach us that there is GOD, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, all of which are One and make up the Triune Godhead, or the Trinity. (Matthew 28:19. 2 Corinthians 13:14, John 14:16-17)

Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead - Christ taught a distinction of Persons in the Godhead which He expressed in specific terms of relationship, as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (Luke 1:35, Matthew 11:25-27, 1 John 1:3-4)

Unity of the One Being of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost - The Scripture clearly teaches the Father as being the Father of Jesus, the Son as being Jesus, and the Holy Spirit as being sent from the Father to carry on the Work of the Son. The unity and consistency of the three persons reveal that there is One GOD, consisting of Three Persons. (John 1:18, 15:26, Zechariah 14:9)

Exaltation of Jesus Christ as Lord - The Son of GOD, our Lord Jesus Christ, having redeemed us from our sins, after being crucified, died, was buried and rose from the dead alive sits at the Right Hand of GOD in Heaven, making angels, principalities, and powers subject to Him. Then being exalted as the Christ, he sent the Holy Spirit to draw us to the Father through His Blood. Hebrews 1:3, 1 Peter 3:22, Acts 2:32-36)

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Eternal Son of GOD. The Scriptures declare: His Virgin Birth (Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:31-35) His Sinless Life  (Hebrews 7:26, 1 Peter 2:22) His Miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38) His Substitution for us on the Cross (1 Corinthians 15:3, 2 Corinthians 5:21) His Bodily Resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6, Luke 24:39, 1 Corinthians 15:4) His being exalted to the Right Hand of GOD(Acts 1:9-11; 2:33, Philippians 2:9-11, Hebrews 1:3)

Man was created good and upright: for GOD said, "Let us make man in Our Own Image, after Our Likeness." However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from GOD. (Genesis 1:26,27, 2:17, 3:6, Romans 5:12-19)

Man's Only Hope of Redemption is through the Shed Blood of Jesus Christ the Son of GOD.

Conditions to Salvation - Salvation is received through repentance toward GOD and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. Man is cleansed from unrighteous and justified by Grace through Faith. He then receives Eternal Life and becomes a Child and Co-Heir of GOD through Jesus Christ. (Luke 24:47, John 3:3, Romans 10:13-15, Ephesians 2:8, Titus 2:11, Titus 3:5-7)

The Evidence of Salvation - The inward evidence of salvation is the Direct Witness of the Spirit. (Romans 8:16)

The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness.(Ephesians 4:24, Titus 2:12)

Baptism in Water - The Ordinance of Baptism by Immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:47,48)

Holy Communion - The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements - bread and the fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing the Divine Nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4). It is a Memorial of His Suffering and Death, and a Prophecy of His Second Coming (1 Corinthians 11:26). It is to be observed until His Second Coming.

All believers are candidates for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is a Gift of GOD given to those who believe and seek This Gift. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit empowers us to live holy and equips us with gifts for ministry. (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31)

This experience is distinct. (Acts 8:12-17, 10:44-46, 11:14-16, 15:7-9)

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit brings such experiences as:

· Fullness of the Spirit, (John 7:37-39, Acts 4:8)

· a Deepened Reverence for GOD, (Acts 2:43, Hebrews 12:28)

· an Intensified Consecration to GOD and Dedication to His Work, (Acts 2:42)

· and a more Active Love for Christ, for His Word, and for the lost. (Mark 16:20)

The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance. (Acts 2:4, 10:46, 19:6)

The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues, but is different in purpose and use. (1 Corinthians 12:4-10,28)

Sanctification is an Act of Separation from that which is evil, and of Dedication unto GOD. (Romans 12:1,2, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 13:12)

The Scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14)

By the Power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to obey the command: "Be ye Holy, for I Am Holy." (1 Peter 1:15,16)

Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His Death and Resurrection, and by daily yielding the self to the Lordship of Christ and the Guidance of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 6:1-11,13, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:12,13)

The Church is the Body of Christ, the Habitation of GOD through the Spirit. It is a place for believers to receive shelter, healing, and training. The Mission of the Church is to reach those who have not accepted Christ. (Ephesians 1:22,23, 2:22, Hebrews 12:23)

A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the threefold purpose of leading the Church in:

Evangelization of the world. (Mark 16:15-20)

Worship of GOD. (John 4:23,24)

Building a body of saints being perfected in the Image of His Son.  (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Divine Healing is an Integral Part of the Gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the Atonement, and is the Privilege of all believers. (Isaiah 53:4,5, Matthew 8:16,17, James 5:14-16)

The resurrection of those who have died as believers and their translation together with those who are alive unto the Coming of the Lord is the Imminent and Blessed Hope of the Church. (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17, Romans 8:23, Titus 2:13)

The Second Coming of Christ includes the Rapture of the Saints, followed by the Visible Return of Christ with His Saints to reign on Earth for one thousand years.  (Zechariah 14:5, Matthew 24:27,30, Revelation 19:11-14)

This Millennial Reign will bring the Salvation of the Nation of Israel,   (Ezekiel 37:21,22, Zephaniah 3:19,20, Romans 11:26,27)

and the Establishment of Universal Peace. (Isaiah 11:6-9, Psalms 72:3-8, Micah 4:3,4)

There will be a Final Judgment in which the dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found saved (or written in the Lamb's Book of Life) will be consigned to the everlasting punishment in the lake of fire with the devil, his angels, the beast, and the false prophet (this is the second death). (Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43-48, Revelation 20:11-15)

"We, according to His Promise, look for New Heavens and a New Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness."       (2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21-22)

What we are passionate about!

1. Outward focus

We believe unsaved people matter to GOD and therefore matter to the Church (Luke 5:30-32; Luke 15; Matthew 18:14)

We believe the Church should be culturally relevant while remaining Biblically Pure.

(I Cor. 9:19-23)

We desire to meet the needs of one another as well as serve our community leading to transformation.

2. Growing to Spiritual Maturity

We believe clear Biblical Teaching is the catalyst for life transformation and that ongoing life change happens best in small groups. (Luke 6:12-13; Acts 2:44-47)

We believe that it is in small groups that we best deepen our five purposes as we “do life together.”

3. Leadership Development

We believe that everyone has a ministry both in the Church as well as in the community.

We believe that ministry functions best in teams.

We believe in developing great leaders who are “Spirit-led.”

4. Prayer

We believe prayer is essential to everything we do.

We desire for each member to develop his/her prayer life.

5. Openness and Honesty

We believe the Church is a place where the people are authentic and sincere.

We believe the Church to be a place where all experience GOD’s Forgiveness, Love, and Acceptance.

6. Grace

We believe everything that GOD gives us is by His Grace.

We desire to be a Grace-Oriented Church.

7. Excellence

We believe excellence honors GOD and        inspires people. (Col.  3:17; Mal. 1:6-14; Prov. 27:17)