Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of In Christ Fellowship based on the foundational truths taught in the bible and centered on the finished work of Christ. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.
The Bible
We believe the Bible is God’s Word. Every word in the original writings was given by God and is completely true. It teaches us everything we need to know about who God is, who we are, and how to live in a way that pleases Him (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:21).
The Godhead
We believe there is one true God who exists in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. Each Person is fully God — equal in nature, power, and glory — yet they are not three gods, but one God. Each Person of the Godhead works in perfect unity to accomplish God’s eternal plan. By His grace, the Father planned our salvation, the Son accomplished it through the cross, and the Holy Spirit applies it to our lives today.
(Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Timothy 2:5; Ephesians 4:4–6; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)The Person of Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is God’s Son — God in the flesh. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and is both fully God and fully man. He came to earth to die for our sins, save us from the wrath of God because of sin, and rose again to give us new life with Him.
(Luke 1:35; Philippians 2:6–9; Romans 1:3–4)Human Need for Salvation (Total Depravity)
We believe that all people are born spiritually dead and separated from God. On our own, we cannot do anything to save ourselves or earn God’s approval. That’s why we need God’s grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross (Ephesians 2:1–3; Romans 3:9–12; 1 Corinthians 1:18–31).
Salvation
We believe that salvation is a gift from God. It comes by grace through faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross. We are made right with God—not by being good or doing good things—but by trusting in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. When we put our faith in Him and believe in what He did for us, we are fully forgiven, saved, and made alive in Christ (Romans 3:24–28; Romans 5:1, 9; Ephesians 2:8–9).
Eternal Security
We believe that once you are truly saved, you are always saved. In other words, you cannot lose your salvation — and nothing can separate you from God’s love. He keeps us safe “in Christ,” and because of this, we can live with confidence and peace, knowing we belong to Him forever.
(Colossians 3:1–4; Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:1, 29–39; John 10:27–29; Ephesians 1:13–14)Personality and Work of the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is a real Person. He helps people understand their need for Jesus, and when someone believes, the Spirit gives them new life. He lives in every believer, teaches us, gives us strength, and helps us grow in our faith (John 16:8; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13,17–18; 3:16).
Baptism by the Spirit
We believe that when someone trusts in Jesus, the Holy Spirit places them into the Body of Christ. This is called spiritual baptism. It happens once, at the moment of salvation, and connects us to Christ’s death and resurrection. This is the “one baptism” Paul speaks of in Ephesians 4:5, and it is the only baptism required for believers today (Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:3–4; 1 Corinthians 1:17).
The Church
We believe that today God is building one Church, called the Body of Christ. It is made up of all believers everywhere who have trusted in Jesus as Savior. This Church — the Body of Christ — is different from the nation of Israel and the earthly kingdom God promised them. Therefore, the Church began with the ministry of the Apostle Paul, who was given a special message and mission for the Body of Christ in this present age.
(1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22–23; 3:1–6; 1 Thessalonians 2:14–16 cf. Acts 13:45–46; Philippians 1:5–6 cf. Acts 16; 1 Corinthians 12:13,27 cf. Acts 18)Gifts
We believe every believer has a spiritual gift from God. These gifts are different for each person and are given to help build up the Church and bring glory to God. Every believer is encouraged to use their gift to serve others (Romans 12:3–6; Ephesians 4:7–16; 1 Corinthians 12).
Our Walk (Spiritual Growth in Christ)
We believe that because Jesus lives in us, we can say no to sin and live in a way that honors God. We won’t be perfect, but we can grow stronger in our faith by trusting and obeying Him. As members of the Body of Christ, our spiritual growth happens as we renew our minds, walk in the Spirit, and respond to God’s grace each day. Our lives should reflect who Jesus is—learning to turn away from sin, guarding against false teaching, and showing love and grace to everyone.
(Romans 6:6–14; Galatians 5:16–25; Romans 8:37; 2 Corinthians 2:14; 10:2–5; Romans 12:1–2,9; 2 Corinthians 6:14–18; Ephesians 5:11; 1 Timothy 6:20–21; 1 John 4:19)The Lord’s Supper
We believe the Lord’s Supper is a special way for believers to remember Jesus’ death until He returns. This was given to the Church through the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:23–26. Unlike other traditions, we do not view the Lord’s Supper and water baptism as two required ordinances for the Church today, since Paul only gave clear instructions about the Lord’s Supper for the Body of Christ.
Resurrection and Eternal Destiny
We believe Jesus rose from the dead with a real, physical body. Because He lives, every person will also be raised from the dead one day. Those who have trusted in Christ will be raised to live with God forever. Those who reject Christ will be raised for judgment and will face eternal separation from God. We also believe that when believers die today, their spirit goes immediately to be with the Lord — but one day, their physical bodies will be raised and made new, just like Jesus’ resurrection body.(Luke 24:39–43; 1 Corinthians 15:21; Acts 24:15; John 5:29; Revelation 20:11–15)
The Second Coming of Christ
We believe Jesus will return again. First, He will come to take all believers in the Body of Christ to be with Him — this is known as the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Philippians 3:20–21). After this, there will be a time of great trouble on earth called the Tribulation. Then, at the end of the Tribulation, Jesus will return to earth to establish and rule the kingdom He promised to Israel. (Zechariah 14:4,9; Acts 1:10–11; Revelation 19:11–16; 20:4–6; Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:15–31; Titus 2:13–14; 1 Corinthians 15:51–53)
State of the Dead
We believe people who die without Christ will face eternal separation from God and conscious suffering. The Bible does not teach that people get another chance after death, or that they stop existing. These ideas are false and dangerous. Believers, on the other hand, go to be with the Lord when they die (Luke 16:23–28; Revelation 14:11; 20:14–15; Colossians 3:6; Romans 1:21–32; John 3:36; Philippians 3:19; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:6–8).
Mission of the Church
We believe the mission of the Church today is to share the good news that people can be made right with God by placing their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross — not because of anything we do, but only because of God’s grace. This message is called the gospel of the grace of God, and it was revealed by Jesus to the Apostle Paul to preach and teach to the nations. Therefore, like Paul, we are called to share this gospel with boldness and to teach the whole Bible in light of this message. (2 Corinthians 5:14–21; Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:8–9; 1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 4:9; 1 Timothy 1:11–16; Acts 20:24; 2 Timothy 4:2; Galatians 1:8–9; Romans 15:20; 2 Corinthians 10:16)