What We Believe

 

In essential beliefs we have unity.

"There is one Body and one Spirit. There is one Lord, on faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all..." Ephesians 4:4-6

In other beliefs we have liberty.

"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters... Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls... So then each of us will give an account of himself to God... So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God." Romans 14:1,4,12,22

In all our beliefs we show charity.

"...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains, but have no love, I amount to nothing at all." 1 Corinthians 13:2 (Ph)

The Essentials We Believe

1. About God

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

2. About Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is coequal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4)

3. About the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galations 5:25; Ephesians 5:18)

4. About the Bible

The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalms 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)

5. About Human Beings

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2)

6. About Salvation

Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sins penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galations 3:26; Romans 5:1)

7. About Eternal Security

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. (John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)

8. About Eternity

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer, by his choice is secure in that salvation forever.

If you believe that Jesus Christ is your Savior, you cannot "lose" eternal life. Salvation is maintained by the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. (John 3:16; John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Ezekiel 18:21-32)

Other Beliefs Commonly Held Here

What We Practice

1. The Authority in the Local Church

"Christ is head of his body, the church. He is the source of the Body's life..." (Colossians 1:18 GN). Jesus Christ is the head of this church. Because of that, we are a body and we work together. He is the source of our life.

2. The Priesthood of Believers

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9). 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 prayer and Bible reading.

3. About Tithes and Offerings

"A tithe of everything you produce belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord." (Leviticus 26:30). At Hillside we believe every Christian is asked to give of their resources to their church. This includes their time and their money. We recognize tithe is described in the Old Testament Scriptures as 10% of our income while offerings can describe any other donation. This sets for the principles of regular budgeted giving and additional targeted or special giving. We believe each member should prayerfully consider how much to give regularly, and when to sacrifice for special offerings.

4. About Spirit-led Living

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without 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. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God's Spirit to enable us to do what is right.

5. About Ministry to Others for Christ

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." (1 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.

6. About Baptism by Immersion

We practice baptism by immersion under water--the way Jesus was baptized, ad the way the Bible commands. "Buried with Him in the water, wherein also you are risen with Him, through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised Him from the dead." (Colossians 2:12).

7. About the Lord's Supper

Jesus never asked His disciples to remember His birth, but He did instruct them to remember His death and resurrection. He gave the church two visible symbols called ordinances--the Lord's Supper and Baptism. We do not call Baptism and the Lord's Supper "sacraments" because the word "sacrament" means "it saves you." We don't believe Baptism or the Lord's Supper saves you.

8. About the Sabbath

A Sabbath rest enhances our relationship with God. God first observed on at the end of the creation of this world. A Sabbath rest was included in the covenant He made with ancient Israel, known as the Ten Commandments. Jesus observed the Sabbath and said the Sabbath was made to be a blessing to people. (Mark 2:27).

A Sabbath rest is a symbol of salvation by grace rather than salvation by our own efforts towards doing good. In our time-challenged culture we believe a day set aside to worship with other believers, rest physically, connect personally with God through Bible study and prayer, spend time with family and friends, and minister to the needs of others is vital to our spiritual health.

9. About the Second Coming

The certainty of Christ's coming is told through the Bible. Just before His death, Jesus told His disciples that He would be returning to His Father to prepare a place for them. And He promised, "I will come again." (John 14:3).

We believe that no one knows when that will be but when He does come, "every eye will see Him." (Revelation 1:7). We believe that on that day, graves will open and those that died, who had the assurance of salvation, will be resurrected and taken to heaven along with those who are alive at that time who also have that assurance. All of those that are "saved" will be made perfect in an instant. (1 Corinthians 15:52).