Beliefs

What we believe at Highland Park about Jesus, the Bible, and the Church.

Our Beliefs

God

God is creator, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. (Gen. 1:1; Psalms 19; Acts 2:22-24)

JESUS

Jesus, the Son, was sent to earth, born of a virgin, lived, taught, built His church, gave His life on the cross a perfect sacrifice, buried, raised on the third day, to save men from their sins. Jesus will return for His faithful children at a time known only by God the Father (Mt. 24:36) (I Thess. 5:1,2). Jesus commands us to Believe (Jn. 8:24) that He is God’s son, to Repent (Lk.13:3) of our sins, to Confess (Rom 10:9,10) His name before men, and to be buried by Baptism (Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3,4,5) into His death, and raised to live a new life. We are then to Remain Faithful to the best of our abilities. (Revelation 2:10; 1 John 1:7).

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit of God was left here to indwell all who obey Jesus’ commands (Acts 2:38).

Worship

Worship under the New Covenant (Testament) must be in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:23,24). The Lord’s Death, Burial and Resurrection should be celebrated in partaking of the Lord’s Supper each Lord’s Day (First day of the week) (Acts 20:7; Acts 2:42). Giving of our Means to support preaching of the Gospel and taking care of the needy is also done every first day of the week (I Cor. 16:1,2). We praise God and Jesus Christ through singing and praying. (Eph. 5:19; Colossians 3:16; I Cor. 14:15)

Final Authority

The Bible itself, as the infallible, inspired Word of God, is the final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind and is the sole source of all that we believe. The Old Testament, a history of God’s people, given by the Holy Spirit, to lead us to Christ (Rom. 15:4; Gal. 3:24), while the New Testament is our blueprint for living and serving in the Christian Dispensation (Hebrews 9,10; Colossians 1:13-3:17; Ephesians 1-4).

Authority of Shepherds / Elders

For purposes of shepherding the flock at the Highland Park Church of Christ in all matters relating to doctrine, faith, practice, policy, and discipline, our Elders have final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.

The Sanctity of Human Life

All human life is sacred and created by God in His own image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all of its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically and mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We should, therefore, defend, protect, and value all human life. (Psalm 139)

Marriage

Because God ordained marriage and defined it as the covenant relationship between a man, a woman, and Himself, Highland Park Church of Christ recognizes marriages between one biological man and one biological woman. (Gen 1:26-27; 2:18-25; Mat 19:4-6; Malachi 2:14-15). God further intended for sexual intimacy to occur only between a biological woman and a biological man who are married to one another (I Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb 13:4), and any form of sexual immorality, including, but not limited to, adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and the use of pornography, is sinful and offensive to God. (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10). God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake these sins, seeking his mercy and forgiveness through the soul cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:8-11; 1 John 1:7-9).

Church membership

Although the Lord adds to the church those who accept and obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38,41; 1 Cor 15:1-2; 2 Thess 2:13-14; Eph 4:4-6), the “members” of the Highland Park Church of Christ shall be those who have formally established fellowship with the congregation. Those who have established fellowship as a part of the congregation are those who share a common bond of faith consistent with “What We Believe” at the Highland Park Church of Christ.