The Bible

The Bible is God's Word to all people, written by human authors through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the only source of truth and authority for all Christian beliefs and living. It is inspired by God without error. (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 30:5)

God

God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. These three are equal and are one God. (Ephesians 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 1:9)

God the Father

God the Father is the creator of the universe and is a personal God who desires a relationship with all people. He is a supernatural being who has always existed. He is the ruler of all creation who also hears and answers prayer. He is perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 89:26; Isaiah 9:6; John 6:27, 45-46; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 5:20)

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son. We believe in His conception by the Holy Spirit, His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings, and that He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He rose from the dead on the third day to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven and will return again to earth to reign as King and Lord. (Ephesians 4:1-8; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 1 John 5:20; Isaiah 53:3-4) 

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people 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. (John 14:16-17, 26, 15:26, 16:7-14; Galatians 5:18, 22-25; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

The Church

The true church is composed of all people who trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Believers are united together in the Body of Christ of which Jesus Christ is the head. Friends Community Church is a group of believers in Christ who have organized themselves for doing the work of God's ministry. Our church is responsible to provide opportunities for fellowship, growth, teaching and serving by using one's spiritual gift. (Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-28; Ephesians 3:6, 4:11-16, 5:23)

At the moment we become Christians we are baptized into the body of Christ, and this spiritual baptism is totally sufficient for the believer. (Mark 1:8; Ephesians 4:4-6; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:11-12; Luke 3:16; 1 Peter 3:21)

The physical act of water baptism by immersion after accepting Christ as personal Lord and Savior is not needed for salvation or spiritual standing, but it is a person's testimony of death to sin and resurrection to a new life in Christ. (Acts 2:28, 8:12-16, 36-39, 10:47; Matthew 28:16-20) 

Communion

Our relationship to God, as believers, provides us with the privilege of moment by moment communion with God. It is the silent communion of our spirit with the Spirit of God that is essential to our continued walk with Him. (John 6:33, 48, 51, 14:16; Romans 8:11; Ephesians 3:14-17a; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Revelations 3:20)

The "Lord's Supper" is a time of remembering the death of the Lord Jesus Christ and for examining one's life. The taking of the elements does not result in spiritual benefit but provides the believer with a physical method of remembrance in a Scripturally approved manner. (1 Corinthians 11:23-28, 10:16-17; Luke 22:17-20)

FCC teaches the necessity of spiritual baptism and Communion, and provides water baptism and the Lord's Supper for those whose conscience would lead them to partake.

Becoming a Christian

All people have a need for God's free gift of eternal life in order to return to a relationship with God and live with Him for eternity. We all must individually receive this gift, because we can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in the shed blood of Jesus Christ as God's provision for forgiveness can we be saved from sin's penalty (eternal death). Eternal life begins the moment we receive Jesus Christ into our life by faith and salvation as an act of God's grace. (Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9-10; Colossians 2:6-7; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 John 5: 11-13; John 10:27-29, 1:12, 6:37-40, 17:3)

STEPS TO BECOMING A CHRISTIAN

  • Recognize that God loves you and created you to have a personal relationship with Him. (Psalm 139: 13-24, 140, 141; John 3:16, 17:3)

  • Understand that because of your sin this personal relationship has been fractured. (James 4:17; Romans 3:23, 6:23; Isaiah 59:2)

  • Know that only through Jesus Christ can you have a personal relationship with God. (John 14:6; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6)

  • Repent. The need for repentance is key in mending the broken relationship and to obtain forgiveness from the Father. (Luke 5:31-32; Acts 3:19, 20:21)

  • Personally respond to this through prayer by trusting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12)

If you wish to discuss this important step of faith, we would be delighted to speak with you. Please let us be of assistance to you by personal conference. You can reach us by calling 714.529.3114 or emailing us.