Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of Hillcrest based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.
In essential beliefs, we have unity.
“There is one Body and one Spirit… there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all…” -Ephesians 4:4-6In non-essential 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 faith that can move mountains – but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” -1 Corinthians 13:2
In essential beliefs, we have unity.
“There is one Body and one Spirit… there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all…” -Ephesians 4:4-6In non-essential 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 faith that can move mountains – but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” -1 Corinthians 13:2
THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE AT HILLCREST…
About God– God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal 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
About Jesus Christ – Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal 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 some day 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; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13
About the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit is co-equal 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; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
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. -II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20, 21; II Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160; 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
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
About Salvation – Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sins by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we’re saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 15:6; 1:12; Titus 3:5, Galatians 3:26, Romans 5:1
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 keeping power of God that gives us this security. -John 10:29,30; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; I Peter 1:3-5
About Eternity – People were created to exist for eternity. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. -John 3:16; 1 John 2:25; 1 John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15
About God– God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal 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
About Jesus Christ – Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal 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 some day 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; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13
About the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit is co-equal 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; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
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. -II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20, 21; II Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160; 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
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
About Salvation – Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sins by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we’re saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 15:6; 1:12; Titus 3:5, Galatians 3:26, Romans 5:1
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 keeping power of God that gives us this security. -John 10:29,30; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; I Peter 1:3-5
About Eternity – People were created to exist for eternity. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. -John 3:16; 1 John 2:25; 1 John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15