Statement of Beliefs
At 1412church, we believe the Bible is the inspired word of God and that all scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). As a result, any listing of specific beliefs will fall utterly short in that we accept the teaching of the Bible as our primary source of belief.
However, in order to answer basic questions about our beliefs, we invite you to read and study for yourself some of our basic beliefs that are clearly explained in the Bible. The Bible verses are generally listed in order as proof texts for the phrases in each statement of belief. This statement of beliefs and the corresponding scriptures provide for a very interesting and enlightening Bible study. We believe that mankind was made in God’s image, but all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Sin is defined as breaking God’s law, the penalty of which is death. It is sin that has separated us from God (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:23; 1 John 3:4; Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Romans 6:23, Isaiah 59:1-2).
We believe in God the Father, the maker of heaven and earth, who made all things seen and unseen through His son Jesus Christ, who was with God and was God before He ever came to earth in the flesh and who now sits at the right hand of God in heaven and the Holy Spirit, the promised comforter, guide, spirit of truth and gift of God (Genesis 1:1-2:7; Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:1-3; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 16:9; John 14:26; John 16:13; Acts 2:38). We believe that mankind was made in God’s image, but all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Sin is defined as breaking God’s law, the penalty of which is death. It is sin that has separated us from God (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:23; 1 John 3:4; Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Romans 6:23, Isaiah 59:1-2).
God sent Jesus, who was born of a virgin, who lived a sinless life, who had the sins of the world laid upon Him through His beating, who died as a sacrifice to pay the penalty of death for the sins of the world that whoever would believe in Jesus would be forgiven and saved. We are reconciled to God by Jesus’ death and saved by His life. Our salvation is not by works, but by grace through faith (John 1:1-14; Matthew 1:18-25; Hebrews 4:14-16; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 9:23-28; Hebrews 10:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Acts 13:38-39; Ephesians 1:7; John 3:16, Romans 5:6-19; Ephesians 2:8-10).
Those who believe in Jesus should confess their sins and recognize that they are in need of His sacrifice for sins, that He died and rose from the dead after three days and that He is now their Lord. As a result of this confession, those who believe in God are called to give their life for Him, to turn from their sinful ways, to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. As a result, those who believe in Jesus are justified and made righteous in the sight of God. Believers in Jesus reckon themselves as dead to sin and alive to God, no more living as slaves to sin, but as slaves to righteousness (1 John 1:8-10; Acts 2:22-39; Ephesians 4:17-5:10; Colossians 3:1-17; Romans 10:8-13; Romans 4:1-8; Romans 4:20-25; Romans 5:1-21; Romans 6:1-23, Titus 2:11-14; 1 Peter 4:1-3).
Those who believe in Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit are made part of the church of God, the body of Christ. The believers become the children of God by being baptized into His name and receiving His Holy Spirit. As a result, they become brothers to Jesus, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. The individual members and the church as a whole are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a holy life, to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God and to serve one another as the Spirit produces fruits and gives spiritual gifts to each member (Romans 8:5-17; Romans 15:13-19; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:14-20; Acts 1:4-8; Galatians 5:22-23; Hebrews 2:4; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31).
Those who believe in Jesus Christ are new creatures, having God’s laws written on their hearts and in their minds, who live a new life of obedience to the teachings and commandments of God. The saints keep the commandments of God, including the two great commandments, the Ten Commandments and the teachings of God contained through the Bible. The essence of this way is love, which is defined as having benevolent care and concern for others. If you love Jesus, you will keep His commandments; this is what matters to God (2 Corinthians 5:17; Hebrews 8:7-12; Matthew 5:1-7:29; Romans 6:15-23; Matthew 19:17; Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:1-21; Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:13-14; Revelation 14:12; 1 John 5:3; 1 John 3:22; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; John 14:15; 1 Corinthians 7:19).
We believe God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female, and that these two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:27). We believe that God created marriage to be exclusively the union of one man and one woman (Genesis 1:28, 2:24-25; Mathew 19:4-5) and that sexual conduct is only proper within those bounds.
The basic doctrines of the church include repentance from dead works, faith toward God, baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment (Hebrews 6:1-2; Acts 2:38; 2 Corinthians 7:9-12; Hebrews 11:6; John 3:36; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38-39; John 1:28-33; Acts 1:4-5; Acts 19:5-6; Acts 6:6; Acts 8:14-17; Acts 13:2-3; Daniel 12:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:12-58; John 5:25-30; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Acts 17:30-31; Romans 2:1-16; 1 Peter 4:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
1412church’s Statement of Beliefs does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe.