NEW LOCATION BEGINNING JULY 2ND

What We Believe

DOCTRINE

WORD

God has revealed Himself by his Word; that is, through the sixty-six books of Scripture and by his Son. The Scriptures were given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit and are infallible and inerrant in the original languages. The Scriptures are sufficient in matters of life and faith. The Word became flesh in the incarnation of Jesus as revealed in Scripture. Although God has revealed himself generally to all through creation, he has revealed himself to us more fully by his Word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:2; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Matthew 5:17-18; Psalm 19:7; John 1:14; John 14:6; Romans 1:20

GOD

The LORD (YHWH) is the one true and living God who exists personally as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is one in essence and three in persons, each of whom is fully and truly God, equal in divine nature. The Father is God; neither created, nor begotten, nor proceeding from any else. He is co-eternal with the Son and the Spirit, not before either in time, but with both, did create all things in the beginning. He is divinely co-equal with the Son, whom he eternally beget, and with the Spirit, who proceeds from him and the Son. God is Spirit and He is love. He is uncreated, self-existent, and worthy of worship. He is creator of heaven and earth. He is LORD, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. He is righteous and just, holy and glorious, sovereign and wise. He is eternal, transcendent, and immutable. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-present. From him and through him and to him are all things, and to him be glory forever.

Deuteronomy 6:4; Jeremiah 10:10; Exodus 3:14; Ephesians 4:6; Titus 2:13; John 4:24; Isaiah 43:10; Matthew 28:19; 3:16-17; Acts 17:24; Exodus 34:6-7; Romans 3:26; 11:33, 36; Isaiah 6:3; Acts 4:24; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 55:8-9; Psalm 102:25-27; 147:5; 115:3; 139:7-12; John 4:24; 1 John 4:8

CREATION

God created everything that has been made, and this by the power of His Word. All things were created through him and for him, and in him all things hold together. Without him was not anything made that was made. In six days the LORD made heaven and earth and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh.

Genesis 1:1-27; Psalm 33:6; Hebrews 11:3; Colossians 1:16-17; Isaiah 45:12; John 1:3; Exodus 20:11

MAN

On the sixth day of creation, man was created in the image of God, male and female. Man was created upright and declared "very good.” Adam and Eve were historical human beings, the first of their kind. Man did not evolve from other creatures, but was made in God’s image from the dust, and woman from the rib of man. God gave them dominion over all other living things on the earth and told them to be fruitful and multiply, to fill the earth and subdue it. They were made in a state of maturity with an initial condition of sinlessness, but were fallible.

Genesis 1:27; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Genesis 1:31; Genesis 1:28; Genesis 2:18-23

FALL

Tempted by the serpent, man disobeyed God and brought death to all through Adam. We are guilty in Adam because one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all men. Now, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Man is born in iniquity and we are by nature children of wrath and enemies of God. We have been corrupted in heart, mind, and will, and have been separated from God because we all, like sheep, have gone astray.

Genesis 3:1-7; Romans 5:12; Romans 3:10; Psalm 51:5; Ephesians 2:3; Romans 5:10; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 12:2; John 1:13; Galatians 5:17; Isaiah 59:2

COVENANT

In his mercy, God promised to save his people. Beginning with Adam, God covenanted with man and foreshadowed the gospel in the garden. Through types and shadows, God continued to reveal his plan of salvation by covenant (Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic). These earthly copies and shadows were fulfilled in the New and better Covenant, enacted and mediated in Christ.

Genesis 3:15; Ephesians 2:12; Hosea 6:7; Genesis 2:16-17; 6:11-19; 9:8-17; 12:7; Galatians 3:16; Genesis 15:7-10; 22:15-18; Hebrews 3:14; John 10:28; 2 Corinthians 3:14-16; Exodus 19:3-6; Hebrews 8:1-7; 1 Samuel 8:7-16; Hosea 1:2-11; Isaiah 42:1-9; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:22-27

JESUS

The eternal Son of God is the Word, who, in the beginning, was with God and was God. All things were created through him and for him. He is the anointed of God who sits at his right hand. His throne is forever and his years will have no end. He is the image of the invisible God and the exact imprint of his nature. The fullness of God dwells in him and all things will be reconciled to him.

In the fullness of time, he was sent by the Father, put on flesh, and dwelt among us in the person of Jesus. God became a man when He put on flesh and came into the world as Jesus Christ. Two distinct and whole natures were inseparably joined so that the person of Christ was and is both fully God and fully man. Jesus was born of a virgin, grew, and lived a life of perfect obedience to God the Father. He came to fulfill the Law and Prophets, to serve and give his life as a ransom, and to seek and save the lost. He is the Savior of the world, the judge, and our prophet, priest, and king.

John 1:1; Colossians 1:15-20; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 1:3; Matthew 3:17; Isaiah 7:14; John 1:14; Colossians 2:9; Matthew 1:23-25; Luke 2:52; Romans 5:19; Matthew 5:17; Matthew 20:28; Matthew 19:10; 1 John 4:14; John 5:22; Matthew 13:57; Hebrews 4:14; Matthew 27:11

GOSPEL

The gospel was delivered to us as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day. The good news is that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He chose us in him before the foundation of the world and, in love, predestined us for adoption according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace. He made known to us, whom he taught, the mystery of his will.

Jesus willingly gave his life on the cross to atone for our sins by satisfying the wrath of God. His perfect life was counted a substitute, exchanging our sin for his righteousness. Jesus' death on the cross justifies those who believe in him by faith and we have peace with God by the blood of his cross. After Jesus died on the cross and was buried, he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. Because Christ was raised from the dead, death no longer has dominion over us. Just as by one man came death in Adam, by one man has come also the resurrection of the dead in Christ. If we are in him, we will share in a resurrection like his. Just as Christ was raised with an imperishable body, so we will be at the resurrection.

The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. We are saved by grace through faith, which is not our own doing and not a result of works, but rather the gift of God. Salvation is in Jesus Christ and there is no other name by which we must be saved. In Christ, we are chosen, adopted, and justified. In him, we are being sanctified and will be glorified. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, and God will complete the work that He began in those who have truly repented and believed in Christ for salvation. For those who have been born again, salvation can never be taken away.

1 Corinthians 15:3-5; Romans 5:8; Romans 1:16; Mark 1:15; Mark 16:15; John 3:16; Genesis 3:15; Galatians 3:8; Galatians 1:6-7; John 10:17-18; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:24-26; Romans 5:9; 1 John 2:2; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 4:22-25; Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:20; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Mark 16:6; Romans 6:9; 1 Corinthians 15:21; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 4:12; John 14:6; Ephesians 1:4-5; Romans 8:30; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 10:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; Romans 10:13; Philippians 1:6; John 10:27-29; Ephesians 1:3-10; John 17; John 6:45

HOLY SPIRIT

The Spirit is of the Father and of the Son, proceeding from both, truly and fully God. He is a person, called the Helper and the Spirit of truth. He is the author of Scripture, our guide, our guarantee, and our intercessor in prayer. He convicts the world regarding sin and righteousness and judgment. He is a teacher and a witness to us of the things of God. He regenerates and renews us, dwelling in those who are in Christ.

John 14:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:26-27; John 16:8; 2 Peter 1:21; John 16:13; John 15:26; John 14:26; Hebrews 10:15; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:9-11

CHURCH

The Church is the body of Christ, and we are individually members of it. Jesus built his Church on the confession of faith that he is the Christ, the son of the living God. Jesus is the head of the church and has promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

1 Corinthians 12:27; Matthew 16:16-18; Colossians 1:18

DISCIPLESHIP

Following Christ is a life of repentance and faith. As disciples, we are called to learn and to follow Jesus in every area of our lives. Because the work of God is to believe, our faith will be evidenced as we walk in the works God prepared beforehand. And as disciples, we are now called to go and make disciples of all nations.

Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38; John 6:28-29; Ephesians 2:8-10; Matthew 28:18-20

KINGDOM

The kingdom is the rule and reign of God that is presently experienced, yet is still to come in its fullness. Jesus came to preach the good news of the kingdom of God and to call sinners to repentance. Those who do not repent and believe in Jesus in this life will experience the wrath of God for eternity in hell. For those in Christ, there is no condemnation, and they will dwell with God forever.

Matthew 4:17; Matthew 4:23; Luke 4:43; Luke 5:32; Mark 9:47-48; Revelation 20:15; Romans 8:1; Revelation 21:3

DISTINCTIVES

BAPTISM AND COMMUNION

Baptism & communion are commands given to the Church as symbols and remembrances of the death of Christ. These ordinances are for believers in that they are external pictures of inward realities. In baptism, believers are buried with Christ into death and raised to walk in newness of life. Through the Lord's supper, believers proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Romans 6:3; 1 Corinthians 11:24; Romans 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:26

ELECTION AND PREDESTINATION

Because we were dead in our trespasses and sins, God made us alive in Christ. He chose us in him before the foundation of the world and predestined us for adoption. We were saved not by human will or exertion, but by God, who has mercy. All that the Father gives to Jesus will come to him, and whoever comes to him will never be cast out.

Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 2:5; Ephesians 1:4-5; Romans 9:16; John 6:37

COMPLEMENTARIANISM

Men and women were created by God with equal humanity and distinct roles. For the glory of God, men and women were given complimentary roles in the home and the church, especially as it relates to authority and teaching. In marriage, the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, whereas wives are uniquely given the responsibility of childbearing. In the church, men are uniquely called to teach and exercise authority in the corporate gathering.

Genesis 1:27; 1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; Ephesians 5:22-33

GIFTS

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to believers for the building up of the church and the conviction of unbelievers. There are a variety of gifts, and the same Spirit appoints to each one individually as he wills. The gifts today never supersede the authority of the Scriptures, but rather are a confirmation of its authority.

1 Corinthians 14:12; 1 Corinthians 14:24; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 Corinthians 12:28

ECCLESIOLOGY

The New Testament church is described in several ecclesiastical categories. Members are those "of the body," of which the church is comprised as a whole, believers who have submitted themselves to the authority of a local assembly. Deacons are servants in the church, qualified and tested men and women, appointed by function. Elders are the overseers and the pastors/shepherds of the church, men qualified and able to teach. Christ is the head of the Church, the chief shepherd. Alamo Ranch Community Church is modeled after the example of the New Testament church and the commands of Scripture.

1 Corinthians 12:12; Romans 12:4-5; Acts 6:1-6; 1 Timothy 3:8-13; Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4