The818Church is a church where Jesus Is First In Everything.
We are committed to Glorify Jesus in every aspect of our church. The818Church is in singularity with the historicity of the authentic christian universal church, we believe and confess the Apostles creeds, Nicene creed, Chalcedonian creed, and the “Solas” of the reformation as accurate representations of Scripture’s teaching.
The basic doctrines within The818Church Statements of Faith represent what we believe to be core elements of our biblical foundations. We expect all members of The818Church to affirm these doctrines.
These theological truths within The818Church reflect what distinguishes us and unites us as a church. The818Church distinctive’s shape the way our church is led and the direction our church is going. Our members should expect that these distinctives will be maintained in all ministry environments at The818Church, and that our local body may not teach contrary to them.
Statements of Faith
The Scripture
We believe that the Bible, containing sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is alone the only infallible, inspired Word of God, and that its authority is ultimate, final, and eternal. It cannot be added to, subtracted from, or superseded in any regard. The Bible is the source of all doctrine, instruction, correction, and reproof. It contains all that is needed for guidance in godliness and practical Christian conduct. We believe that God has perfectly revealed who he is and what he commands in the Bible. 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21
The Trinity
We believe there is one God who eternally exists as three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe that all things were created by Him and for Him (Deuteronomy 6:4; Jn 1:14; Jn 10:30; Isaiah 45:21-22; Matthew 28:19; Colossians 1:16; 2 Cor 13:14).
1. God the Father God the Father is the creator and sustainer of all things, and He created the universe in love. He created man in His own image for fellowship and called man back to Himself through Christ after the rebellion and fall of man. (Gen 1:1; Eph 4:6)
2. The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, came into the world that He might manifest God to men, fulfill prophecy, and become the Redeemer of a lost world. To this end, He was born of the Virgin Mary, received a human body and a sinless human nature without ceasing to be God.
Luke 1:30-35; John 1:1, 14, 18; Hebrews 4:15; Philippians 2:5-11
We believe that, in infinite love for the lost, He voluntarily accepted His Father’s will and became the divinely provided sacrificial Lamb and took away the sins of the world.
Romans 3:25-31; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Hebrews 10:5-14
We believe He rose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which He had lived and died and that His resurrected body is the pattern of the body which ultimately will be given to all believers.
John 20:20; Philippians 3:20-21
We believe that on departing earth, He was accepted by His Father and that His acceptance is a final assurance to us that His redeeming work was perfectly accomplished.
Hebrews 1:3
We believe that He became head over all things to the church, which is His body, and in this ministry He does not cease to intercede and to be an advocate for the saved.
3.The Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is God, the Lord and giver of life, who was active in the Old Testament and given to the Church in fullness at Pentecost. He empowers the saints for service and witness, cleanses man from the old nature and conforms us to the image of Christ. The Holy Spirit, releases the fullness of the Spirit and is evidenced by the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit. (Eph 4:30; 1 Cor 6:19-20; Jn 14:26; 1Cor 6:11; 1 Cor 12:3; Rom 8:16;Titus 3:5)
The Church
We believe that the Church is God’s primary instrument, through which He is fulfilling His redemptive purposes in the earth. The church is here to Glorify our Triune God, equip the saints for the work of ministry, God has given the Church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. We also affirm the importance of every Christian being joined with and actively involved in a local community of the saints. We believe that women, no less than men, are called and gifted to proclaim the gospel and do all the works of the kingdom. We believe the churches mission is to make Jesus known through preaching the gospel, caring for the poor, and serving our neighbors. (Mt. 16:17–19; Acts 2:17–18, 42; Eph. 3:14–21; 4:11–16; 1 Tim. 2:11–15; Heb. 10:23–25; 1 Pet. 2:4–5, 9–10)
Sacraments
We believe that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances of the Church, to be observed until the time of Christ’s return. They are not a means of salvation, but are channels of God’s sanctifying grace and blessing to the faithful in Christ Jesus. (Mt. 26:26–29; 28:19; Rom. 6:3–11; 1 Cor. 11:23–34; 1 Pet. 3:21)
The Return of Christ
We believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ, and the final judgment. This second coming and return of Christ is certain, but the day and time is unknown. This final judgment will determine the eternal status of both unbelievers and believers based upon each person’s individual faith and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Rewards will be given to believers and there will be a final judgment of unbelievers. (Matthew 24:36, Matthew 24:42-44; Mark 13:32-37; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 1:7)
The Gospel
We believe the gospel is the good news of God’s grace spreading through the darkness of this world. It is the grand narrative of creation, fall, redemption, and completion. The Gospel is orchestrated through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. The foretold arrival of Jesus Christ is the anticipation of the gospel, His earthly life is the comfort of the gospel, His crucifixion is the heart of the gospel, His resurrection is the power of the gospel, His ascension is the Glory of the gospel, His return is the Hope of the Gospel. (1 Cor 15:1-4; Mark 1:1, Rev 14:6-7; 1 Tim 1:11, 15-16;Jn 3:16-18; Rm. 1:16)
The Atonement
Christ’s vicarious death on the cross paid the penalty for the sins of the whole world, but its benefits are only applicable to those who receive Jesus as their personal Savior. Healing—body, soul, and spirit—and all of God’s provisions for His saints, are provided for in the atonement, but these must be appropriated. (1 Pet 2:24; Lev 17:11; Heb 9:12; Heb 9:22; 1Jn 2:2; Rev 5:9; Is 53:5; 1 Jn 4:10; Rom 3:25; Gal 3:13; Jn 1:29; Mt 26:28)
Doctrine of Sin
We believe that, through Adam, that sin has fractured all things, leaving the world in desperate need of salvation through the temptation of Satan, humanity transgressed the command of God and fell from their original holiness and righteousness (Gen. 3). Now the entire human race inherits a corrupt nature that is opposed to God and His law (Rom. 3:9-20). Therefore, all humans are under condemnation. This depravity is radical and pervasive. It extends to the mind, will, body and affections. Unregenerate humanity lives under the dominion of sin and Satan (Eph. 2:1-3). He is at enmity with God, hostile toward and hateful of God. (Ps 51:5; Rom 3:23; Eph 2:1-2; Jer 17:9; Rom 5:12)
The Personality of Satan
We believe that Satan, the devil, is the prince of demons and the declared adversary of God and man. However, when the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross, He limited the power of the devil and guaranteed the ultimate triumph of God. Ephesians 2:2; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:10; Colossians 2:13-15
Eternal Reward and Punishment
We believe that when Christians die, they pass immediately into the blessed presence of Christ, there to enjoy conscious fellowship with the Savior until the day of the resurrection and the glorious transformation of their bodies. The saved will receive eternal rewards and forever dwell in blissful fellowship with their great triune God. We also believe that when unbelievers die, they are consigned to hell, there to await the Day of Judgment when they shall be punished in the lake of fire with eternal, conscious, and tormented separation from the presence of God. (Dan. 12:2; Mt. 25:46; Lk. 16:19–31; Jn. 5:25–29; 1 Cor. 15:35–58; 2 Cor. 5:1–10; Phil. 1:19–26, 3:20–21; 2 Thes. 1:5–10; Rev. 20:11–15; 21:1–22:15)
Salvation
We believe the Word of God declares clearly that salvation is a free gift of God, based on the merits of the death of His Son, and is appropriated by faith. Salvation is effected by personal repentance, belief in the Lord Jesus (justification), and personal acceptance of Him into one’s life as Lord and Savior (regeneration). Through this Salvation, guilt, penalty and all other consequences of sin has been achieved solely through the work of Jesus Christ – His perfect obedience, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection and exaltation as Lord. Jesus alone is truly God and truly human, the only mediator between God and humanity. There is salvation through no other person, creed, process or power. Each sinner is justified before God and reconciled to God only by divine grace appropriated by faith alone. The new life in Christ includes the privileges of adoption and inheritance in the kingdom of God’s beloved Son.
ACTS 4:12 | ROMANS 4:1-9, 5:1-11 | EPHESIANS 1:3-14
Marriage
Marriage and sexual intimacy are wonderful gifts from God to be stewarded for his glory. God’s design for marriage is to be between one man and one woman for life. Biblical marriage requires that both people have biological differences from birth as male and female. Any sexual relationship or activity outside of biblical, covenanted marriage is sinful, and is not blessed by God. While marriage is a gift from God, we also believe that singleness can be a gift from God and can be God’s call on a person’s life.
Genesis 2:23–24 | Leviticus 18:22 | Matthew 15:19–20 | Matthew 19:5–6 | Romans 1:26–27 | 1 Corinthians 6:18 | 1 Corinthians 7:7–9 | 1 Timothy 1:9–10 | Hebrews 13:4
The Christian Life
We believe that the Scriptures portray the life of the saint in this world to be one of balance between what is imputed to us as Christians and what is imparted to us according to our faith and maturity. the Scriptures portray what the life of the saint should look like in this world. The goal of the Christian life is to be conformed into the image of Christ for Gods’ Glory, God conforms the Christian into the image of Christ by the Spirit. The Christian life is lived in community with other Christians, the Christian. The Christian Life is one that bears the fruit of the Spirit, a friend of sinners, and feeds regularly on the word of God. The Christian Life is rooted in the Gospel and regularly spends time in Gods’ Presence. The Christian life also faithfully endures hardships.
The Christian Life shortcomings of the individual and of the Church are because of the still progressing sanctification of the saints. The Christian life is filled with trials, tests, and warfare against a spiritual enemy. For those abiding in Christ until their deaths or His return, the promises of eternal blessing in the presence of God are assured. To remain faithful through all circumstances of life requires dependence upon the Holy Spirit and a willingness to die to personal desires and passions. The Christian life is the life of repentance, faith, and good works lived through the power and Aid of the Spirit. In the Christian life we forgive, love and pray for our enemies is. In the Christian Life we welcome and serve the marginalized, the "least" among us, we care for the sick, needy, underprivileged, widowed, orphaned, poor, abused, and vulnerable—those who are last. In the Christian Life we walk in victory knowing Christ has won the battle.
MATTHEW 7:21; 16:27 | ROMANS 12:1-3 | 2 CORINTHIANS 6:17 | GALATIANS 6:14 | EPHESIANS 5:11 | COLOSSIANS 3:17 | REVELATION 20:12)
Doctrine of Humanity
We believe that all humanity is created in the image of God and possesses intrinsic dignity and worth.
God made humanity—male and female—in His own image (Gen. 1:27-30). Set apart as His image bearers, every human being is sacred. All men and all women, bearing the image of God, are meant to represent God in His creation (1 Cor. 10:31). God declares the created order to be very good, distinguishing men and women as His agents to care for, manage and govern over it. They enjoy equal access to God by faith in Christ Jesus and are both called to move beyond passive self-indulgence to significant private and public engagement in family, church and civic life. Adam and Eve were made to complement each other in a one-flesh union in the covenant of marriage that establishes the only God-ordained pattern of sexual relations for men and women. In God’s wise purposes, men and women are not simply interchangeable, but rather they complement each other in mutually enriching ways (Gen 2:7)
Gifts and Fruit of the Holy Spirit
The gifts of the Holy Spirit that we see on display in the New Testament are still active within the life of the church. These gifts did not end with the close of the New Testament or the death of the last apostle (1 Cor. 12:1-11;Gal 5:22-23 Rom 12:3-8).
Responsibility of Believers
We believe that all believers should seek to walk by the Spirit, separating themselves from worldly practices and witnessing by life and by word the truths of the Holy Scripture.
Romans 12:1; Galatians 5:16, 25; 2 Corinthians 5:9-17
We believe that all believers will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ and rewarded based on their faithful obedience to Him in this life.
(1 Corinthians 3:10-17; Mark 12:30-31)
Creeds
THE APOSTLE'S CREED (Approx. 4th Century)
“I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.”
NICENE CREED 325 AD
“I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.
Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.
I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.”
THE Chalcedonian Creed 451 AD
“Therefore, following the holy fathers, we all with one accord teach men to acknowledge one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at once complete in Godhead and complete in manhood, truly God and truly man, consisting also of a reasonable soul and body; of one substance with the Father as regards his Godhead, and at the same time of one substance with us as regards his manhood; like us in all respects, apart from sin; as regards his Godhead, begotten of the Father before the ages, but yet as regards his manhood begotten, for us men and for our salvation, of Mary the Virgin, the God-bearer; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, recognized in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation; the distinction of natures being in no way annulled by the union, but rather the characteristics of each nature being preserved and coming together to form one person and subsistence, not as parted or separated into two persons, but one and the same Son and Only-begotten God the Word, Lord Jesus Christ; even as the prophets from earliest times spoke of him, and our Lord Jesus Christ himself taught us, and the creed of the fathers has handed down to us.”
Our “Solas”
The Foundation and Framework of our Salvation
S O L U S C H R I S T U S
Christ Alone - Jesus is the only way for salvation. Jn 14:6
S O L A G R A T I A
Grace Alone - Our Salvation was, is, and will always be Gods’ unmerited and undeserved grace Eph 2:8-9
S O L A F I D E
Faith Alone - We are saved by faith and nothing we can do can earn it. Eph 2:9
S O L I D E O G L O R I A
Glory of God Alone - Everything, Even our salvation, is for the glory of God. Isaiah 43:7
S O L A S C R I P T U R A
Scripture Alone - Creeds, councils, traditions, leaders, church history; all are vital to the Christian life, however, all of these are under the final authority of Scripture. If anything disagrees, adds, or subtracts from the Holy Scriptures, it must be rejected. 1Cor 4:6
S O L U S S P I R I T U S S A N C T U S
Holy Spirit Alone - We are made new by the Holy Spirit alone. Our salvation is in Christ alone. Our salvation is by His Spirit alone 1Cor 6:11, Jn 3:5, Gal 5:25