Statement of Faith
We believe in what is termed "The Apostles' Creed" as embodying all the fundamental doctrines of orthodox evangelical Christianity. In addition to the fundamental doctrines of the faith, we realize that there are a number of variant nuances of interpretation and denominational emphases that polarize the body of Christ toward diverse positions. As a non-denominational ministry, Mountain Springs Church is intentional in teaching the core doctrines of the Christian faith without fixating on discordant beliefs. In this regard, we affirm the general statement as originated in the early church by St. Augustine, "In Essentials, Unity; in Non-essentials, Liberty; in All Things, Charity."
SCRIPTURE
We affirm our confidence in God’s inerrant Word. We treasure its truths, and we respect its reproofs. The 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and written centuries ago by chosen men of God. The Bible is without error in its original manuscripts, is completely reliable as the final authority in all matters of doctrine and practice, and is centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Bible is fully true in all that it teaches or affirms. The entire text of Scripture, including the very words, is a product of the mind of God expressed in human terms and conditions and written through human instruments without negating their personality, culture, and freedom.
1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; and 2 Peter 1:20-21
HUMAN DEPRAVITY
We confess that Adam’s fall into sin left humanity without the hope of heaven apart from a new birth made possible by the Savior’s substitutionary death and miraculous, bodily resurrection. As a result of Adam’s rebellion, all people have fallen under the curse of death. Unable and unwilling to please God, all humans are undeserving of His blessings, blinded to His truth, and dead in their sins - spiritually and, ultimately, physically. This state of judgment before the just and holy God is a condition that permeates every facet of human life and cannot be cured apart from the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
Genesis 3 ; Jeremiah 17:9; and Romans 3:10-18, 23; 5:12
THE BODY OF CHRIST
We know the Lord is continuing to enlarge His family, the universal body of Christ, over which He rules as Head. The body of Christ is the ever-enlarging universal Church consisting of true believers in heaven and on earth over whom Jesus Christ reigns as Lord. Regardless of denomination, all true believers are spiritually baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ’s body and are therefore spiritually united with Him and with one another.
Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 4:11-16; and 1 Peter 2:9-10
SALVATION
We believe the offer of salvation is God’s love-gift to all. Those who accept it by faith, apart from works, become new creatures in Jesus Christ. Because fallen humans are unable to save themselves, God, according to His own sovereign mercy, acts to save those who come to Him by grace through faith. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer the penalty of death in place of condemned humanity. Through repentance and believing the good news that Jesus Christ died for his or her sins and then rose from the dead, a person can be forgiven of all sin, declared righteous by God, reborn into new life, and guaranteed eternal life with God. Repentance is not a work that earns salvation. To repent, in relation to salvation, is to change one’s mind regarding sin and Jesus Christ (Messiah, the anointed One, God). True repentance is prompted by godly sorrow toward one’s sinful condition and is accompanied by a new way of thinking about God, about sin, about holiness and about God’s will.
Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Micah 5:2; John 1:12, 3:16; Acts 2:36-38; Romans 5:6-8, 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:1-5; 2 Corinthians 7:10 and Ephesians 1:4-12, 2:8-9
CHRIST’S RETURN
We anticipate our Lord’s promised return, which could occur at any moment. According to the Father’s plan, Jesus Christ will one day return in power to bring completion of salvation and rewards to believers and judgment and wrath to unbelievers. The Bible teaches that the years leading up to the judgment will be marked by increasing evil, but the actual time of the end is unknown. It could begin at any moment. Though the details of Christ’s return are sometimes unclear, its reality is certain, and all believers are called to live holy lives in anticipation of His coming.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Hebrews 9:28; and Revelation 19:11-16
RESURRECTION OF HUMANITY
We are convinced that all who have died will be brought back from beyond; believers to everlasting communion with God and unbelievers to everlasting separation from God. Though a believer’s spirit is ushered into the Lord’s presence immediately upon physical death, the fullness of salvation awaits Christ’s return, when He will resurrect believers in glorified bodies like His own immortal body that can never die. While all believers throughout history will enjoy eternal life in perfect paradise, unbelievers will be resurrected to suffer eternal conscious punishment for their sins.
John 11:23-27; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; and Revelation 20:4-21:5
THE FAMILY OF GOD
We are grateful to be a part of the local church, which exists to proclaim God’s truth, to administer the ordinances, to stimulate growth toward maturity, and to bring glory to God. Believers are called to faithful fellowship and community in a visible, local congregation for the purpose of mutual encouragement, edification and spiritual growth. As the family of God, a healthy local church is marked by God-glorifying worship, Scripture-centered teaching, intimate fellowship, and vivid expressions of the Church’s faith, hope, and love through evangelism, disciple-making, financial support, and service.
Acts 2:41-47; Philippians 2:1-4; and Hebrews 10:24-25
CHRISTIAN ORDINACES
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ committed two ordinances to the Church: 1. Baptism, and 2. The Lord's Supper. We believe in baptism by immersion, and communion, both of which are open to all believers in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ’s death. To those who rightly, worthily, and with faith receive it, the bread and the cup is a partaking symbolically of the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Though Jesus Christ is really present, no change is effected in the elements that are never to be considered objects of worship. The supper is also a symbol of the love and unity that Christians have among one another.
Mark 14:22-24; John 6:53-58; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8,10:16, 11:20, 23-29; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41; Romans 6:1-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:4-6
MARRIAGE
We believe marriage is a union ordained by God, as defined by His Holy Scripture, to be one man and one woman for life. It is the next most important relationship to that relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We also believe it is a biblical picture of Jesus Christ and His Church; His bride.
Therefore, the parameters which must be met for a MSC pastor to perform the marriage ceremony in a MSC facility are as follows: One man and one woman only to wed. The couple desiring to wed must first have gone through pre-marital counseling either with a MSC pastor or with a pastor approved by the MSC Teaching Pastor. A marriage between a believer in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and an unbeliever will not be performed by a MSC pastor or in a MSC facility. A marriage between two unbelievers will not be performed by a MSC pastor or in a MSC facility unless approved by the Board of Elders under special circumstances. A valid Idaho Marriage License is required for a MSC pastor to officiate at a marriage.
Have Questions?
If you have any questions about what we believe, how to apply this belief, or more, please fill out the form below and someone from our team will connect with you as soon as possible!