Our Beliefs
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 4:4–6
In 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 love. “… If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains—but I have no love, I amount to nothing at all.”
1 Corinthians 13:2
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are 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
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 rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; John 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, Jesus. He 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 spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they come to personal faith. As Christians, we seek to be led by His Spirit daily.
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.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 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 alienates us from one another.
Genesis 1:27; Psalms 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1,2; Romans 3:23
About Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for sin 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, which is death and eternal separation from God. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 5:1,6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6,1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26
About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, which the Bible calls Hell, or eternally with God, which the Bible calls Heaven, through forgiveness and salvation. Jesus Christ will one day return personally, bodily, and visibly to judge all the peoples of the earth and to establish His kingdom, over which He will reign in righteousness and peace.
John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; John 10:28; Matthew 7:21; 1 John 5:11-12; Matthew 25:31-46
The Church
The Church, which is made up of all Christ-followers world-wide, is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Jesus' Great Commission. Every person who is born of the Spirit is an integral part of the Church as a member of the body of believers. There is a spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23
Two Observances
Water Baptism: Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new believer is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48.
The Lord's Supper: A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and fruit from a vine (the emblems of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross. At South Potomac Church the Lord’s Supper is a weekly observance in which all Christ-followers are invited to take part.
Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25