In essential beliefs, we have unity: (Ephesians 4:4-6)
In non-essential beliefs, we have liberty: (Romans 14:1,4,12,22)
In all beliefs, we have charity: (1 Corinthians 13:2)
In addition to the statement below, we affirm the historic teachings of Christian orthodoxy as it is articulated in the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed.
The Scriptures
We believe the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, to be the verbally inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice.
The Trinity
We believe in only one living and true God, eternally existing in three equal persons – God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- We believe God the Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of human history according to His purpose and grace. All glory goes to Him.
- We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal, pre-existent Son of God, who for us and for our salvation became a man, died on a cross, rose from the dead and ascended to heaven to reign.
- We believe that God, the Holy Spirit, restrains evil, convicts of sin. He also regenerates, and indwells and empowers believers for service, and bestows spiritual gifts, sealing them for eternity.
Creation and the Fall
We believe that all things in heaven and on earth were created by God and exist by His power and for His glory. We believe that humanity was created innocent and in the image of God, but that we sinned, bringing both physical and spiritual death to ourselves and this world.
Salvation
We believe that every person is lost in sin apart from Christ and in need of a Savior. We believe that salvation is a gift of God and is received by man only through personal faith in Jesus Christ. The full scope of salvation includes Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification.
The Church
We believe that the universal church, the Body and Bride of Christ, is made up of all true believers. We believe that the local, visible church is an assembly of professing believers in Jesus Christ who are voluntarily joined together in one body to worship, reach out and grow.
We believe that Christ instituted the ordinances of believer baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which are to be observed by believers until He returns. Grace is an elder-led church.
Things to Come
We believe the Lord Jesus will one day return physically to earth in power and glory to complete what He began: graciously saving believers and bringing righteous judgment on non-believers. Our call is to make ourselves ready for that day!
A full doctrinal statement, as well as position papers on spiritual gifts and the role of women in public ministry, can be found here: Trinity Church Greenville Doctrine Statement.