WHAT WE BELIEVE

We don’t worship some God who is distant and has no feelings or understanding of our broken world. He willing chose to enter into it! And He Himself was rejected and murdered for no reason at all, enduring the same grief and shocking evil we witness today. We worship a God who is no spectator in the brokenness, hurt, sickness, catastrophes, and death and suffered the same out of His infinite love for His creation.

According to the Bible (God’s Word) Jesus is completely human but, at the same time, completely God [who gave Himself in our place and rewards us with His glory]. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection and the only substitute for God’s wrath against rebellion. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we can have life, life abundant, and eternal life in the very presence of God.

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ: His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is an unmerited gift from God, not earned by good works or any human effort. Whosoever calls upon Jesus will be saved. Eph 2:8-9; Gal 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Rom 10:9-10, 13; Acts 16:31; Heb 9:22

We believe the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the record of God’s self-revealing words and actions in human history: fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, in perfect accord with the truth, without error in all they affirm, and the authoritative basis for faith and life.

Exodus 24:4; Psalm 19:7-11; 119; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Matthew 5:17-18; Luke 21:33; John 5:39; Acts 3:18; 4:25; Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:19-21

We believe in one eternal God who is the Creator of all things, and He exists in three co-equal Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (1+1+1=1). He has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. God is totally loving and completely holy. 1 John 5:7; John 1:14, 14:28, 15:26, 16:28; Deut 6:4; Isa 61:1

We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in love, holiness, justice, and grace. We believe that He is all-knowing and all-powerful. We believe that He mindfully and mercifully concerns Himself with the lives of humankind, that He hears and answers our prayers, and that He offers salvation from sin and death through Jesus Christ. Luke 10:21-22; Matt 23:9; John 3:16, 6:27; Rom 1:7; 1 Tim 1:1-2, 2:5-6; 1 Pet 1:3; Rev 1:6

We believe that Jesus Christ is the only One who can restore us to God. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe the unconscionable beating and violent crucifixion of Jesus was in our place–the full, fitting payment for our sin. 1 John 1:7; Rev 1:5, 5:9; Col 1:20; Rom 3:10-12, 23; 5:9; John 1:29

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, co-equal with Jesus and the Father in the Godhead. We believe the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son, convicts the world of sin and promotes righteousness and judgment. The Holy Spirit is our omnipresent, omnipotent helper, comforter, and guide in prayer and life to all who believe in Jesus. John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27, 16:9-14; Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 3:16, 6:19; Gal 5:22-26

Ever sinned the same thing twice, more? We believe our sin has separated each and everyone of us from God and His purpose for our lives. Many think they are “good” people. And while they may be “good” here - it is always a comparison to other people. When we view “good” based on God’s commands, we all fall way short and we realize, none of us are really that good at all. As a result, people cannot attain a right relationship with God through our own effort. We hear many people state: “God is love” and stop there thinking it’s a blank check for sin. While love is an absolutely true attribute of God, demonstrated most of all in His taking on human skin and dying on the cross for us, it is only a part of who He is. God is also HOLY and knows NO sin. In fact, he does not condone nor tolerate sin. Sin has to be dealt with to satisfy God’s attribute of wrath mentioned throughout the Bible. His wrath against sin. Jesus states, unless you believe in me and who I say I am, you will die in your sins and face the wrath of God. Gen 3; Ps 32:1-5; Isa 6:5; Jer 17:5; Rom 3:10, 3:23, 5:12; 1 Cor 15:21-22

We believe that Jesus Christ, the enthroned Son of God, will return in glory at the time appointed by the Father to judge the living and the dead. Those who put their faith in Jesus will be resurrected and reign with Him in the new heavens and new earth while those who reject Jesus will be resurrected to spend eternity separated from God. Matt 24-25; Mark 9:43-48; Acts 1:11; Heb 9:27; Rev 14:9-11, 20:12-15, 21:8

After the fall of man [disobeying God and choosing our way over His], none of us are innocent or sin-free - and none of us are what we want to be on the inside. But there is absolutely nothing we can change on the outside, or thinking we should be something other than who God created us to be, that will solve any of our problems. The only thing that can make us what we are supposed to be is the life-changing Spirit of God. It’s an inside job! We believe that mankind was made in the image of God as male and female. Every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love. We believe sexuality is defined by God and that marriage is between one man and one woman. Gen 1:26-30, 2:7, 18-22; 3:1-24; Ps 8:3-6, 51:5; Acts 17:26-31; Rom 1:19-32; Eph 2

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural/physical death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Psalm 139).

We believe marriage is a sacred covenantal union between a man and a woman that limits sexual relations to monogamous, heterosexual marriage.

We believe that the solemnizing of a marriage between men or women of the same sex is contrary to the Word of God.

We believe in the historical Christian position. That position holds as truth that any sexual expression outside the sacred covenant of marriage, between people identified as male and female at birth, is outside of God’s intentional design for sex and therefore an expression of human sin. We believe that living in the way of Jesus means embracing his vision of faithfulness regarding sexuality.

Culture often associates acceptance with approval; however, we believe that Jesus shows us that acceptance and approval are not always associated. Jesus demonstrated acceptance of all people, even as he did not approve of lifestyles that deviated from God’s design. Acceptance and approval, therefore, are not mutually exclusive – one can accept a person while withholding approval of their choices or behaviors.

Therefore, we believe that the community that is the church should be open and accessible to all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, identity, or lifestyle, because all of us are fallen, broken people - none of us are what we should be. We believe that each of us is on a journey of transformation through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, and that each person who seeks to follow Jesus is on a journey of change and growth.

Simply because someone disagrees with you; does not mean they hate you. Simply because someone disagrees with you; does not mean they do not love you.

We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31.) Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be rejected and are not in harmony with Scripture nor the teachings of CSBC.

We understand that each person is created by God in His image and is fully deserving of our love, and respect (John 13:34-35). All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and that redemption and restoration is available for everyone who turns from sin to find mercy and forgiveness through Christ. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 2:1-10, Titus 3:3-7). Therefore, we treat with compassion and sensitivity all who are tempted or who have engaged in sexual sin. (Matthew 11:28-30; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 2:17-18; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 1:9). Our understanding of these matters leaves no room for bigotry or hate. We seek to share the Gospel with all (Mark 16:15). As such, although not condoning gender diversity, same-sex marriage or other sexual expression outside of God’s path, CSBC welcomes all who are earnestly seeking after the Lord and biblical teaching.