Our Beliefs and Practices

Mission Statement

Our mission is to help people experience Christ rather than man’s creation of religion, so they can grow strong in Christ and take the Christ experience to the world. We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, that He loves you unconditionally and has a plan and a purpose for your life.

The Bible

• We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, divinely inspired; that it contains no errors in the original manuscripts and preserved by God for us; that it is authoritative for the church and each of us for every age.

God

• We believe that God exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are one God.

• We believe God created the universe by His Power and Word.

• We believe that God is all knowing, all powerful and ever present.

Jesus

• We believe Jesus Christ was sent by God the Father into the world to save sinners.

• We believe that Jesus Christ was virgin born, sinless in life and mighty in words and deeds.

• We believe Jesus was both God and man, that He was crucified for our sins, and was bodily raised from the dead. He then ascended to His Father’s side where He is head of the church and intercedes for believers.

• We believe Jesus Christ is coming again personally, visibly and bodily to reign as Lord.

Holy Spirit

• We believe the Holy Spirit is a person, is God, and has all the divine characteristics. He indwells all believers, baptizes and seals them at the moment of salvation. He fills them in response to confession of sin as they surrender to Him.

Salvation

• We believe that Jesus, through His death on the cross, provided salvation for all. However, to receive salvation one must repent of sin and trust Jesus Christ alone. The true believer is eternally secure and cannot lose his salvation. He may, however, lose his joy by sin and bring the loving discipline of the Father upon himself.

• All who have received Christ will, at death, depart to be with Christ in their spirits and, at Christ’s return, receive a new body which will be like His glorious body.

Stewardship

• We practice tithing for the support of Christ’s body, the church, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard of giving. “Honor the Lord by giving Him the first part of all your income, and He will fill your barns with wheat and barley and overflow your wine vats with the finest wines.” Proverbs 3:9-10 (TLB)

The Church

• We believe a New Testament church is a local body of believers who have agreed together to experience Christ in such a way that they impact the community and the world.

• The church has two ordinances: Baptism and Communion. Baptism symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the new life we have in Him. Communion is a reminder of Christ’s death and anticipates His second coming.

Prayer

• We believe God answers prayer and is the key to His power. It shows our dependence on Him.

Bible as our Sole Authority

• “The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us to do what is right.” 2 Tim. 3:16. Since God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is, “What does the Bible say?” We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.

Autonomy of Each Local Church

• “He (Christ) is the head of His body, the church; He is the source of the body’s life…” Col. 1:18 (GN). Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, group or religious organization. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe every local church should be self-governing and independent from any denominational control.

Priesthood of Every Believer

• “He (Christ) loves us, and by His sacrificial death, He has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to serve His God.” Rev. 1:6 (GN). ” … You are … the King’s priests … God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God.” I Peter 2:9 (GN) The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full-time” Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayerful Bible reading.

Tithing

• “A Tithe of everything you produce belongs to the Lord: it is holy to the Lord.” Lev. 27:30. At Woodlands Church, we practice tithing for the support of Christ’s Body, the church, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the biblical standard of giving.

Baptism by Immersion

• “For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism, you were also raised with Christ.” Col. 2:12 (GN). We practice baptism by immersion under water, the way Jesus was baptized, and the way the Bible commands.

Spirit-led Living

• Jesus said, “I am the Vine, you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5. We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us. We seek to practice daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is right. (Phil. 2:13, Eph. 5:18)

Telling others about Christ

• “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for hope that you have.” I Peter 3:15. It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those whom God brings us into contact. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to church.