ABOUT HIGHRIDGE CHURCH

The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to men, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12).

The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, self-revealed “I AM,” and has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association, by simultaneously existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in the Eternal Godhead, who has revealed Himself as ONE God existing in THREE persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; distinguishable but indivisible. (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13-14; Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isaiah 43:10, 11).

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 substitutionary work 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 exaltation 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 image and after our likeness.” Man, by voluntary transgression, fell, and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Genesis 1:26-31; Genesis 3:17; Romans 5:12-21).

Conditions of Salvation: The Grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all men, through the preaching of repentance toward God and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, and being justified by grace, has become heir of God according to the hope of eternal life. We believe Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day, and personally appeared to His disciples. (Titus 2:11; 3:5-7; Romans 10:13-15; Luke 24:47; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 4:25).

The inward evidence to the believer of his/her salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:7, 2 Timothy 1:9).

Description: At salvation, the Holy Spirit made your body His Temple and you were placed in the body of Christ. Jesus ascended into heaven, and He said that He will release the promise of the Father. This is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, not in the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:13). Baptizer: The Holy Spirit

Description: The ordinance of water baptism shall be administered by all established places of worship to all who have repented of their sins and who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of their souls. The symbolism of being completely immersed in water has great meaning. Baptism symbolizes death, burial and a rising, or resurrection, from a grave. This is exactly the pattern of Christ’s crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Neither sprinkling nor pouring reflects this symbolism (Romans 6:3-5, Matthew 28:19-20). Baptizer: Believer

Description: The Holy Spirit is God, the Lord and giver of life, who was active in the Old Testament and given to the Church in fullness at Pentecost. He empowers the saints for service and witness, cleanses man from the old nature and conforms us to the image of Christ. The baptism in the Holy Spirit, subsequent to conversion, releases the fullness of the Spirit and is evidenced by the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit. We believe the best way possible to live life is by God’s power within us. Every believer can be baptized and continually filled with the Holy Spirit by simply asking. The baptism in the Holy Spirit can be received by faith, just like salvation. We seek to practice a daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is right; therefore, we believe you can be Spirit-led (John 1:32-33, Matthew 3:11). Baptizer: Jesus

The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing in a memorial to His suffering and death, and a prophecy of His second coming, and is enjoined to all believers “until He comes” (John 6:48, 51, 53-57; Luke 22:19,20; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 Corinthians 11:25).

All believers should ardently expect and earnestly seek the Promise of the Father, which is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. With it comes the infilling of power for life and service, and the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31). This experience may be distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the New Birth (Acts 2:38; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9; Acts 19:1-6).

By the power of the Holy Spirit, we strive to obey the command, “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” Sanctification is the will of God for all believers and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God’s Word (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15, 16; 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24; 1 John 2:6; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 13:12).

The church is the holy Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer is an integral part of the church, and their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 1:22, 23; Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 21:27).

Divinely called and Scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a two-fold purpose: (1) The evangelization of the world, and (2) The edification of the Body of Christ (Mark 15:16, 20; Ephesians 4:11-13, Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 12:28, 14:12; Romans 12:3-8).

Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement of Christ and is the privilege of all believers (Isaiah 53: 4, 5; Matthew 8:16, 17; Mark 16:18; John 5:14; James 5:14-16).

The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation, together with those who are alive and remain unto the Lord, is imminent and is the blessed hope of the church (Romans 6:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52; Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 14:2, 3; John 3:16, 5:24).

The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, the salvation of national Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on the earth are Scriptural promises and our hope (2 Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 19:11-16; Romans 11:25; Revelation 20:1-7).

The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 19:20; 20:10-15; Matthew 25:41).

We, as promised in the Scriptures, look for a new heaven, and a new earth wherein righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21: 1).