What We Believe
GOD
We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect,
and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons:
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge
and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to
redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own
glory
CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully
man, one Person in two natures. Jesus -- Israel’s promised Messiah
-- was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily
from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of
God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute,
shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for
our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the
only ground for salvation.
HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord
Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates
sinners and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and
adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates,
guides, equips, and empowers believers for Christ-like living and
service.
SCRIPTURE
We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New
Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally
inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original
writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation and the
ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and
endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it
teaches, obeyed in all that it requires and trusted in all that it
promises.
CHURCH
We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified
by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by
the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true
church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be
composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two
ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly
express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation,
when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances
confirm and nourish the believer.
HUMAN CONDITION
We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they
sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings
are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under
His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be
rescued, reconciled and renewed.
What We Are Building
Christ Centered Worship (Colossians 1:15-20)
Corporate worship, outreach, discipleship, and giving is done with
Christ at the center. Our desire at St. Paul Shively is that together we
experience Christ.
Biblical Preaching, Teaching & Leadership (2 Timothy 2:15)
At St. Paul Shively, scripture it not an option it is our authority. We
hold a high view of scripture and it's role in the function of the church.
For that reason, sermons are text-driven, Biblical Instruction &
Application along with Growth groups build our understanding and
love for God, and we are committed to conforming our leadership
structure to the highest biblical standards.
Authentic Community (Acts 2:42-47)
The church is a community of believers that matter to Jesus. They
matter to us too.