This church has people with many different backgrounds, but we are a team. We are more interested in glorifying God than arguing over non-salvation issues.

“How can we agree rather than disagree?” is a very important question we seek to answer.

“How can we apply the truth of scripture in a way that shows love for our Father and love for one another so that Jesus is glorified in all we do?”

For the sake of unity and maintaining purity in our doctrine in key areas Scripture clearly teaches on, these are our non-negotiable Statements of Faith.

• 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 or error. The Bible is infallible, inerrant, and absolute truth. Where it speaks, we listen and obey. (Psalm 12:6, 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

• 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 coequal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1, 26-27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2)

• Jesus - Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is coequal 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 the 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 someday to claim His own and take them to heaven. (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15)

• Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit is coequal 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. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily. (John 14:16-17, John 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18)

• Salvation - Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ and God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life, we turn our will over to Jesus as Lord of our lives. This is evidenced by repentance, confession, baptism by immersion, and a life committed to His service. (John 1:12, 14:6; Romans 5:1, 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Acts 2:38)

• People - People are made in the image of God, to be like Him in character. 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. This means everyone needs Jesus. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; 59:1-2; Romans 3:23)

• Eternity - People will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or exist eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is eternal death in Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16, 14:17; Romans 6:23; 8:17-18; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9; Revelation 20:15)

• Gender, Sexuality and Marriage. We hold that gender, sexuality, and marriage are all God-created and should be expressed according to God’s will as outlined in scripture. Gender consists of men and women, who can enter into a covenant before God called marriage, and only within this marriage of one man and one woman does human sexuality find its God-honoring expression. While we strive to uphold these virtues in our community of faith, we do not advocate for the discrimination or hatred of those within our civic community who do not agree with our obedience to the Word of God. As such, we welcome all to join with us to learn about God’s redeeming love for them and His plan for their lives. We do not seek to deny any in our civic community from expressing their civil rights as defined by the State of Arizona. As such our ministers abstain from engaging in civil marriage ceremonies and do not sign legal marriage documents on behalf of the State of Arizona and perform only the spiritual union of a man and woman before God in Holy Matrimony. ( Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:22-24; Proverbs 5:18-19; Proverbs 20:6-7; Ephesians 5:22-33; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Hebrews 13:4-7; Romans 1:18–32)

• Non-Essential Issues - Although the issues listed above are what we believe to be essential to salvation, there are beliefs that are varied within different traditions or denominations. These issues are not essential to salvation and although we understand there are those who hold tightly to some of these issues, we seek to be unified even in our differences. Some examples on non-essential issues would be: elections, eternal security, roles of men and women, and spiritual gifts. We, as the elders, have come to an agreement on these issues, but we don't require agreement from every person who attends First Christian Church, nor do we condemn those who differ. We invite those with different views and opinions to discuss the issue humbly without causing division, but for the sake of unity, refrain from teaching or promoting their view in our church context. For those who cannot do so, we request they seek another fellowship where their views can better serve the Church.

HOW TO BEGIN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:

The love of God is a reality among us: God sent His only Son into the world so that we could find true life through Him. This is the embodiment of true love: not that we have loved God first, but that He loved us and sent His unique Son on a special mission to become an atoning sacrifice for our sins. So, my loved ones, if God loved us so sacrificially, surely we should love one another. (1 John 4 7-11)

Hear about God: "Yet faith comes from listening to this Good News—the Good News about Christ." (Romans 10:17)  

Believe Jesus’ message: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." (Acts 17:30)  

Admit you need to change: "God has patiently tolerated this kind of ignorance in the past, but now God says it is time to rethink our lives and reject these unenlightened assumptions.” (Acts 17:30)  

Acknowledge Jesus: "If anyone publicly acknowledges me as his friend, I will openly acknowledge him as my friend before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32)  

Begin your new life with God: "Each one of you must turn from sin, return to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; then you also shall receive this gift, the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)  

Live for Jesus: "My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile." (1 Corinthians 15:58)