Statements of Faith
Scripture
The Scriptures are true, authoritative, and sufficient (Psalm 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
The Person and Work of God
There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 46:9-10; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; Timothy 2:5). The Father is God, who reigns in providence over all created order and beyond the boundaries of time, space, and matter. He is fatherly in his attitude toward all men bestowing grace and discipline for sanctification made possible through the revealing of Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 46:8-11; Malachi 2:10; Ephesians 5:6).
The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
The Son is Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God. He is the Eternal Word made flesh (John 1:1-4). Was born of a virgin and is both fully God and fully man (Matthew 1:20; Luke 2:52; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-3). Jesus Christ died as a substitute to pay the penalty for sins (John 1:29; 10:1-18; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Jesus Christ physically rose from the dead (Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1- 53; John 20:1-31). Jesus Christ physically ascended into heaven and will one day physically return. There will be a future physical resurrection of the dead. Those who trust in Jesus Christ alone will be raised to eternal reward. Those who have not trusted in Jesus Christ will be raised to eternal punishment (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 1:7). Only trusting in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone can one be reconciled to God and experience true life and joy (John 3:18; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:21- 26). He now intercedes for His people and rules as Lord of all. He is preeminent in all things and the Head of His body, the church.
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God who is the Giver of Life, both physical and spiritual. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment by calling all men to repent, confess Jesus as Lord, and be baptized in union with Christ. He sanctifies and regenerates the human heart. He guides the church in truth and in unity through the Word of God. (John 14:16-17; 16:7-15; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11).
Humanity
We believe God made all humans male and female according to the likeness of His image. Both are created equal in worth and in nature with different functions and roles. Tempted by Satan, humanity rebelled against God. This sin brought death into the world; as a result, all humans are born into the sinful inheritance of Adam which leads to death and condemnation. But through Jesus Christ’s obedience to the Father, all can be made righteous before God through the power of the Holy Spirit that draws one to conviction and repentance. (John 3:14-18; Romans 3:21-26; 1 Corinthians 15:1-6; John 6:44).
Marriage and Family
It is the biblical position that marriage involves the union of one man and one woman in permanent sacred devotion. Though various cultures and customs have evolving definitions of marriage, God alone has the ultimate authority to prescribe and describe the marital relationship (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:1-9; Mark 10:1-12). Furthermore, sexual intimacy is only properly exercised and pursued within the confines of this marital relationship. Sexual immortality, defined as any sexual activity outside of the boundaries of the sacred marital relationship between one man and one woman, is clearly and expressly prohibited by the Lord (Matthew 15:19; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 13:4). Marriage is an excellent testimony of the Gospel to the world, reflecting the relationship of God to His people. Marriage must be highly valued by all who enter it. Through biblical marriage, children enter the world to be reared in the fear and submission of the Lord. Children should honor their parents and be obedient to them unto the Lord. The Christian family is the first place for Christian discipleship (Genesis 2:21-25; Matthew 19:3-6; Ephesians 5:22-6:4; Peter 3:1-9). To preserve the function and integrity of the Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical example to the church community, all persons employed by the church or leading in any capacity must abide and agree with the biblical position on marriage.
The Church
We believe God creates the church by calling sinners into the fellowship of Christ’s body through the unification of the Gospel. We believe the church is the body of Christ, as Christ is the head of the church. Each disciple is a member of the body of Christ with different roles, functions, and giftings enabled by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the Great Commission. The church is not a religious institution, denomination, or building but rather those who become disciples of Jesus Christ in response to the Gospel through the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. It is within this spiritual community, that we are to submit to the 1st and 2nd greatest commandments: love God and love people. It is impossible to love a brother and sister in Christ if one does not first love God and submit to the authoritative words of Scripture. We believe Jesus gave the church two commands to observe: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; 1 Peter 2:9-10).
Missions
We believe the primary mission of the church of Jesus is accomplishing the Great Commission by proclaiming the gospel to the earth. The Great Commission aims to make (build) disciples of all nations, baptizing and identifying them with Jesus and His people, and teaching them to obey Jesus with their lives. To this end, HPCC is not a “seeker-friendly church” that seeks to fill the pews in numbers, but rather through a spiritual organic growth process of discipleship, the church builds people who learn to build others (Matthew 28:18-20).
The Last Days
God, in His own time and in His way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment and separation. The righteous in their resurrection and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.
Mission Statement
We exist to love God, love people, and make disciples
