What We Believe


A. The Bible We believe that the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God, and is entirely trustworthy and that its message conveys the true knowledge of God. Proper interpretation must take into account the sacred writer's intentions, use of language, style and context. The Bible is the true center of Christian fellowship. The criterion by which the Bible is to be interpreted is prayerful dependence upon God's Holy Spirit.
B. The Creator and Creation We believe that God alone is Creator and that human beings have been formed in the image of their Creator.
C. The Trinity We believe that there is only one true and living God, eternally existent in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
D. The Deity of Christ We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ. We believe in the incarnation of Christ; in His virgin birth; that His miracles literally took place; that He lived a sinless life; that he is the only mediator between God and human beings; that He is the believer's high priest and intercessor; that it is only through Jesus Christ that we can reach God; and that He alone is Savior and Lord.
E. The Substitutionary Death and Blood Atonement We believe in the substitutionary death and blood atonement of Jesus Christ to pay for the full penalty of sin and that the sacrifice of Christ was once for all time.
F. Bodily Resurrection We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
G. The Universality of Sin We believe in the universality of sin and that all people have sinned and are in need of salvation.
H. The New Birth We believe in the necessity of the new birth, i.e., born again experience, as the only means of eternal salvation; that salvation is by the grace of God to all who personally receive Jesus Christ into their life as Savior and Lord; that justification is by faith in Jesus Christ alone without the aid of human effort, i.e., good works, sacraments, religious rituals, church membership; that all believers are given a new nature upon their new birth.
I. The Maintenance of Good Works We believe that the maintenance of good works in the lives of believers is the result of salvation and not for salvation.
J. The Holy Spirit We believe in the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit; that He baptizes all believers who seeks him out as a gift that God has promised to those that have become part of the Body of Christ.  He will become a continual part of the believer by indwelling within the believers. We believe that the Holy Spirit calls men and women to the Savior; that He gives assurance to believers of their adoption into God's family; that He alone sovereignly bestows spiritual gifts; that He empowers believers for service; that He guides, illumines and gives understanding to believers; and that He joins the believer in intercessory prayer.
K. The Assurance of Eternal Life We believe that the assurance of eternal life is the present possession of every believer and is guaranteed; that this salvation is fully secure to those who are "in" Christ.
L. The Return of Jesus Christ We believe in the imminent bodily return of Jesus Christ for his own.
M. The Future of All People We believe in the resurrection of the saved and the lost; the saved to eternal life with God, and the lost to eternal separation from the presence of God; that there is a literal heaven and a literal hell.
N. The Devil and His Own We believe in the reality and personality of Satan; the reality of a host of unseen spirit beings in subjection and allegiance to him; that believers are to actively resist the devil and his host.
O. The Church We believe that Jesus Christ alone is the head of the Church; that the Church is built upon Christ; that local churches are companies of born-again believers who have joined themselves together in common shared biblical faith, doctrine, fellowship, practices and purposes; that local churches are fully autonomous having called-out ministers to equip, instruct, preach, teach, edify and encourage; that the pulpit of the local church is to be kept free from all religious apostasy, unbelief and heresy; that thanksgiving, praise, worship and prayer are to focus on the triune God rather than on humanly devised structure, rituals, ceremony and forms.
P. Believer's Baptism We believe that water baptism in the name of the triune God is an outward symbol that the individual truly belongs to God. We believe that water baptism is an ordinance given by our Lord to the Church. We further believe that total immersion in water is the mode of baptism practiced in the New Testament, hence is the proper mode to be practiced by the Church.
Q. Communion We believe that communion is the partaking of the bread and cup in accordance with our Lord's command and we believe in observing communion regularly. We further believe that communion should be practiced by believers. Communion is open to all people who personally know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
R. The Great Commission We believe that the Lord's commission to the Church is to share the gospel in love; and that evangelism and discipleship should have priority among Christians.
S. The Priesthood of All Believers We believe in the Priesthood of all Believers, and that all believers are called by God into body-life ministry within the local church.
T God's Call to Holy Living We believe that God's call to every believer is to live a holy life by clothing oneself with Christ and crucifying the old nature. We believe that all believers are new creations in Christ; that believers are to subdue the old nature by taking positive actions which include being continually filled with the Holy Spirit and then walking in step with God's Spirit; that living a holy life is a life of joy, fullness, peace and assurance; that all manner of occult practices, including so-called "New Age" philosophy, concepts and practices, are to be rejected and carefully avoided by Christians.
U. Responsible Sexuality We believe that Christians are called to live their sexuality in a responsible manner; that monogamy is the biblical principle and therefore precludes serial monogamy and promiscuous behavior; that lust in one's life can be brought under control by the power and authority of God.  (see CHS Stance on Sexual Morality)
V. Accountability and Scriptural Discipline We believe that there is a need for Christian accountability applicable to individual believers as well as to church leadership. We further believe that all discipline is to be carried out in love and only in proper scriptural order with restoration as the ultimate goal.
W. Teaching We believe that teaching is of utmost importance so that the people of God may be adequately equipped for the work of Christ, and that all teaching in this church must be Bible-based and Christ-centered.
X. Stewardship We believe that Christian stewardship is an expression of praise and worship; that stewardship is vital for the growth of both the individual believer and the local church; that Christian stewardship goes beyond the Old Testament tithing (10%) principle in that Christians are to give of their time, talents, abilities and finances --- cheerfully and willingly to God.

Authenticity:
It is the aim of our fellowship and CHSF to create an environment where persons are free to live their individual truth. We will reject any misguided messages of self-hatred, intolerance, or prejudice that fail to acknowledge that all individuals are fearfully and wonderfully made in the likeness and image of God. We will intentionally resist the desire to tell individuals what and how to think. We will seek to provide individuals with the tools to think for themselves.
People Not Organization:
The Fellowship and CHSF will seek to build up individuals; believing that if we are faithful to this task, God will provide space for the work to which we are called. It will be our aim to direct the bulk of our resources to efforts that provide services for and improve the quality of life for both our clergy and members of the wider community.
Radical Inclusivity:
It is the goal of the Fellowship and CHSF to create a place where all may feel free to worship, serve, and grow spiritually - without regard to race, ethnicity, social class, age, gender/gender identity, or affectional orientation. We will create a safe place for all persons to flourish - especially women, same-gender-loving individuals and their allies, transgendered persons, persons in recovery, the recently incarcerated, the economically disenfranchised, and persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. We will seek to proclaim the same message proclaimed on the day of Pentecost; that God continues to pour out God's spirit upon all persons.
Relevance:
Relevance to our culture is not optional. We will strive to communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that are both liberating and culturally-sensitive. We will seek to provide quality ministry to populations that have been underserved by the traditional church.
Social Justice:
Liberating the oppressed is the heart and soul of the gospel message. We will seek to do relevant ministry that dismantles oppressive systems and ideologies that prevent individuals and groups of people from experiencing whole, healthy, and Godly lives. We will seek to establish a community that takes seriously the justice-centered message of Jesus Christ.
Diversity:
We will strive to honor individuality while at the same time, we will seek to build community; always honoring the least among us - even when and especially when that makes us uncomfortable. We will celebrate God's diversity.
Healthy Individuals:
The Fellowship and CHSF endeavors to create a community that fosters balanced psychological, spiritual, and physical health. We will seek to partner with agencies and social institutions to provide holistic ministry to persons in need of basic health, educational, and psychosocial services.