THE HOLY SCRIPTURES — We teach that the Bible is God’s written revelation to man (1 Corinthians 2:7-14; 2 Peter 1:20-21), an unbiased, divinely stated revelation (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13), verbally inspired in every word (2 Timothy 3:16), absolutely unerring in the original documents, infallible, and God-breathed.
GOD — We teach that there is but one living and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; 1 Corinthians 8:4), an infinite, all-knowing Spirit (John 4:24), perfect in all His qualities, one in essence, externally existing in three Persons- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)- each equally deserving worship and obedience.
GOD THE FATHER — We teach that God the Father, the first Person of the Trinity, orders and inspires all things according to His own purpose and grace (Psalm 145:8-9; 1 Corinthians 8:6).
GOD THE SON — We teach that Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, possesses all the divine outstanding features, and in these He is co-equal, of the same substance or essence, and equally eternal with the Father (John 10:30; 14:9). We teach that Jesus Christ represents humanity and deity in indivisible oneness (Micah 5:2; John 5:23; 14:9-10; Colossians 2:9). We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ procured our redemption, through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross, and that His death was voluntary, substitutionary, acceptable, and redemptive (John 10:15; Romans 3:24-25; 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24). We teach that on the basis of the virtue of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the believing sinner is freed from the punishment, the penalty, the power, and one day the very presence of sin; and that he is declared righteous, given eternal life, and adopted into the family of God (Romans 3:25; 5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18).
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT — We teach that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, eternal, pure, possessing all the qualities of personality and deity, including intellect (1 Corinthians 2:10-13), emotions (Ephesians 4:30), will (1Corinthians 12:11), eternality (Hebrews 9:14), omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-10), omniscience (Isaiah 40:13-14) omnipotence (Romans 15:13), and truthfulness (John 16:13). In all the divine qualities He is coequal and of the same substance or essence with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 28:25-26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14 Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 10:15-17). The Holy Spirit indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers believers for service, and seals them unto the day of redemption (Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13).
MAN— We teach that man was directly and instantly created by God in His image and likeness. Man was created free of sin with a rational nature, intelligence, will, and self determination, and moral responsibility to God (Genesis 2:7, 15-25; James 3:9). We teach that We teach that God’s intention in the creation of man was that man should glorify God, enjoy God’s fellowship, live his life in the will of god, and by this accomplish God’s purpose for man in the world (Isaiah 443:7, Colossians 1:16: Revelation 4:11). We teach that in Adam’s sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God, man lost his innocence, incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death, was subjected to the wrath of God and became, by nature, corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing of doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. Man’s salvation is wholly of God’s grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Genesis 2:16-17, 3:1-9; John 3:36; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 timothy 2:13-14; 1 John 1:8.
SALVATION — We teach that salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of the redemption of Jesus the Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and not on the basis of human merit or works (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
THE CHURCH— We teach that all who place their faith in Jesus the Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual Body, the church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), the bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation 19:7-8), of which Christ is the Head (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18). We teach that the one supreme authority for the church is Christ (1 Corinthians 11:3; Colossians 1:18) and that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in scriptures. We teach that the purpose of the church is to glorify God (Ephesians 3:21) by building itself up in faith (Ephesians 4:13-16), by instruction of the word (2 Timothy 2:2,15; 3:16-17), by fellowship (Acts 2:47; 1 John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42) and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; 2:42).
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN — Being a Christian is more than identifying yourself with a particular religion or affirming a certain value system. Being a Christian means you have embraced what the Bible says about God, mankind, and salvation. Consider the following truths found in Scripture.
God is Sovereign Creator — Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution. But the Bible says we were crated by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him. The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore, He also owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives, and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.
God is Holy — God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3), therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). God requires holiness of us as well. First Peter 1:16 says “you shall be holy, for I am holy”.
Mankind is Sinful — According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: “There is no man who does not sin” (1 Kins 8:46). That does not mean we are incapable of performing acts of human kindness. Gut we are utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own (Romans 3:10-12).
Sin Demands a Penalty — God’s holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death: (Ezekiel (18:4). That’s why dimply changing our patterns of behavior can not solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.
Jesus is Lord and Savior —The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (Colossians 1:16). Therefore, H owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives, and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship. Romans 10:9 says “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved”. Even though God’s justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (1 Peter 3:18). Christ’s death satisfied the demands of God’s justice and Christ’s perfect life satisfied the demands of God’s holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21), thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).
The Character of Saving Faith — True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3,5: 1 Thessalonians 1:9) and pursue Christ (Matthew 11:28-30; John 17:3) and obedience to Him (1 John 2:3). It is not enough to believe certain facts about Christ, even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they do not love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).
Political Activity, Affiliations, and Endorsements — ECC is not affiliated with any political party and does not endorse any political party or candidate. The property and facilities of ECC are considered sacred and set aside for the worship of God and shall in no way be used to promote any political viewpoint, cause, or candidate. While individual members are encouraged to participate in the political process of their respective communities, state, and nation, no political activity (e.g., campaigning) is allowed on the property of ECC.