KENTWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH

I. The Holy Trinity

We believe in one living and true God, eternal and of infinite power, wisdom, goodness and righteousness. He is a faithful God who is the Creator and Preserver of all things. In the unity of this Godhead there are three persons of one substance with identical qualities and attributes: The Father (God), the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.


II. The Son Of God

We believe in the divine nature of Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin, Mary. Christ was both fully man and fully God. He walked our earth, suffered at the hands of men, was crucified, died and buried as a sacrifice for the sins of all men and women everywhere. The purpose was to restore our relationship to God which was broken by sin (disobedience). Christ rose from the dead and ascended into heaven in full victory over Satan and sin. He now intercedes for the body of believers to God the Father.

Romans 8:9
Galatians 4:6
III. The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit as the person of the Holy Trinity who lives within us, giving us the power to live a holy life and guiding us to truth.


IV. The Authority Of Scripture

We believe that the sixty-six books of the Old and New
Testaments combined constitute the Holy Bible; no books may be added or deleted. The Holy Bible is inspired and inerrant (that is, without error or failure of basic contents and meaning in the original manuscripts). The Holy Bible contains all the necessary truth to lead men and women into salvation.


V. Man

We believe that mankind was created by God, in His own
image, but because of Adam’s sin (disobedience) man inherits a corrupt nature that inclines him to do wrong. Man cannot save himself by his own will or works.


VI. Salvation

We believe that Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, was given by God as a sacrifice for the sins of all men. Christ died on the cross to mend the relationship between God and man which had been broken by man’s sin of disobedience. Belief and faith in Jesus Christ, recognizing Him as Lord and Savior, gives men and women the free gift of eternal life.


VII. Good Works

We believe that even though men and women cannot receive salvation by them, good works are still pleasing to God and show evidence of a true faith in God and Jesus as Lord of their life.


VIII. Sanctification

We believe that entire sanctification is the work of God and the power of the Holy Spirit making the believer pure in heart and totally committed and dedicated to God. This work is both instantaneous and gradual (or progressive). It begins when a person is saved and continues throughout life. But there is a second definite work of grace after salvation, a time when the believer is convicted of a “lukewarm Christian life” and looks to Christ with a total commitment and dedication to “Christ-like” living. There is no black-and-white time line involved; for some this occurs soon following salvation, for others much time elapses. But for all believers, sanctification is the will of God. Sanctification is the point in life when a believer renounces the desire to live for self and desires to live totally for the glory of God. The believer is then empowered by the Holy Spirit, enabling him to live a life of holiness. This does not mean perfection of the believer, but purity of heart, soul, and mind.


IX. Gifts of the Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit has given spiritual gifts to all believers for the purpose of building up the body of Christ and bringing glory to God. The gifts are to be exercised in love and emphasize the need for unity. The unity of the body of Christ is of utmost importance; therefore, only a language readily
understood by the congregation is to be used in public worship.


X. Sacraments

We believe that God ordained two sacraments: The Lord’s Supper and Baptism. The Lord’s Supper is received in remembrance of Christ’s death for our sins; the bread representing His body and the wine, His blood. It is in remembrance of God’s love and grace toward us and the love we must share with one another. Baptism is an outward symbolic act signifying salvation and cleansing of sin.


XI. The Second Coming of Christ

We believe that those who have not accepted Christ as their personal Savior, and are unrepentant, will be judged by God in His perfect justice and doomed to eternal punishment. We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ to receive His believers into heaven and eternal life. The time of His return is unknown but may be at any moment. This is the glorious hope of all God’s children.