We Believe…

It is important for members of the Gateway church to be united on matters of faith and allow for diversity of thought on matters of opinion. As an independent, non-denominational church, at Gateway we seek to speak where the Scriptures speak and keep silent where the Scriptures are silent. We seek to be Christians only, not the only Christians.

The Bible

We believe that the Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, were verbally inspired by God, inerrant in the original writings, and that they are supreme and final in authority, faith, and life; (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).

God

We believe there is one God eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-equal in power and glory, identical in their essential nature, attributes, and perfection; (Matt. 28:19; Gen. 1:1; Heb. 1:1-3; Acts 5:3-4; Jn 10:30).

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ was born in the fiesh by the Holy Spirit through the Virgin Mary, being thus true God and true man and the only Mediator between God and man; (/sa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; In. 1:14; 1 Tim. 2:5;

Phil. 2:5-8), We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ voluntarily died as a sacrifice for our sins, and that all who believe in Him are justified by his death, burial, and resurrection; (Rom. 5:8; 3:23-26; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Heb. 7:25),

Salvation

The Bible teaches salvation by God's grace through man's faith (Eph. 2:8-9). Salvation is a free gift and cannot be earned or deserved. Man receives Jesus Christ and his offer of salvation through faith (trusting, obedient, faith).

Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is that Person of the Triune Godhead who convicts men of sin and indwells believers for a life of victory and seals them unto the "Day of Redemption"; (In. 14:16-17; 16:7-12; Eph. 1:13-14).

At baptism, we receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38. We are baptized by one Spirit into the body (1 Cor. 12:13). We are commanded to be FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT (Eph. 5:18) which means to be totally controlled by the Holy Spirit. Evidence of the Spirit's presence is the fruit produced by the Spirit and visible for all to see (Gal. 5: 22ft),

Baptism

Baptism is the immersion in water of a penitent believer. In the New Testament church, every believer was commanded to be baptized (Acts 2:38), thus, baptism is not optional for the believer.

Baptism symbolizes:

Cleansing and Forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16) New Birth (In. 3:5).

Circumcision of the heart (Cot. 2:11,12).

Death, burial and resurrection (Rom. 6:3,4).

Salvation (saving) (1 Pet. 3:21).

Eternal Security. At baptism we become a child of God (In. 3:3-6; 1:12; Rom. 8:14-17; 1 In. 3:1) and are sealed with His Spirit (Eph. 1:13) we are secured in Christ. Jesus said, "No one shall snatch them out of my hand," (In. 10:28)

Man

We believe that man was created by God in His image, not a product of evolution; but that man fell into sin and thereby incurred to himself and his descendants not only physical death, but also that spiritual death which is separation from God. As a member of the fallen race man is by nature a sinner (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:10, 23; 5:12,18; Eph. 2:1-3),

Satan

We believe that Satan is a personality, that he is the archenemy of man, that he works today to discredit and dishonor God and to deceive those whom God would save; (Job 1:6-7; Eph. 6:11-12).

Church Government

The Bible teaches that elders are to be the governing body of the church.

Their qualifications are listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. The body of believers are to obey the elders in the sense of submission to them as men of God

(1 Pet. 5:5; Heb. 13:17). The role of elders is to shepherd the flock of God

(1 Pet. 5). In the New Testament church some elders were paid, those who worked full-time in preaching and teaching (1 Tim. 5:17).

The lord's Supper

Jesus established two ordinances, the Lord's Supper and Baptism. The Lord's Supper is to be observed by repentant, contrite believers, who have examined themselves (1 Cor. 11:23-32). There is no set frequency or form of partaking of the Lord's Supper laid down in the New Testament, but we make it available at least weekly at Gateway.

The Second Coming of Christ

There are many opinions and positions held regarding the rapture, the second coming, judgment, etc. Many differing elaborate charts have been prepared, each holding a different position. It is enough that Jesus will return again to this earth and gather His church (1 Thess. 4:17). It will be a time when no one expects it (2 Pet. 3:10). Jesus made the personal promise that He would return to this earth (In. 14:3).

The Ministry of Healing

The Bible teaches that if the sick desire, they may call for the elders of the church to come, anoint with oil and pray (Jas. 3:14-15).

Spiritual Gifts

God is sovereign and the Spirit bestows gifts on whom He will (1 Cor. 12:11). The design of spiritual gifts is to build up the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:7; Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Pet. 4:10-11; Eph. 4:3-4).

Worship and Praise

God inhabits the praise of His people! (Psa. 22:3) The Bible teaches (and in fact commands us) to praise the Lord and worship Him (Psa. 150). Praise may be expressed by clapping and shouting (Psa. 47:1), by singing (Psa. 95:1), by bowing (Psa. 95:6), by kneeling (Psa. 95:6), by lifting hands (Psa. 63:4). Worship is the pouring out of all of our being in adoration to God.

The Church

We believe that the Church is the Bride (Eph. 5:25-33), and living Body of Christ on earth; He is its head and the source of its life (Eph. 1:20-22). The body is composed of those who have received Him as Savior and Lord;

(Acts 2:41-42). The church exists to celebrate the life of God, cultivate personal growth in Christ, care about one another in Christ, and communicate Christ to the world; (Col. 3:21; Eph. 4:11-13; Rom. 12:3-16; Acts 1:8).

Christians

We believe that Christians are endowed with spiritual gifts which enable them to minister in the church (Eph. 4:11ff). We believe in the spiritual priesthood of all believers (1 Pet. 2:5) which means that all Christians, because of Jesus Christ, have an equal right of access to God. As Priests of God each member stands before God for the purpose of offering spiritual sacrifices for ourselves and for others. These spiritual sacrifices include our lives (Rom. 12:1), our praise (Heb. 13:15), physical fruit (Heb. 13:16; Matt. 6:2; Lk. 6:38), as well as spiritual fruit (Matt. 7:19; 21:43; Col. 1:4-6,10; Rom. 15:15-16)