WHAT WE BELIEVE

"Now this is His command: that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as He commanded us. "

1 John 3:23

Core Values

Our Core Values reveal our identity and the foundation of how we operate. These answer the question, "Why do we do what we do?"
Our Philosophy of Ministry provides a basic theology of ministry and identifies those values that are "aspirational" to move our congregation from who we are to who we want to be in the future!

LOVING

Matthew 22:37-39
A CALL TO INTENTIONAL ACTION.
We are called to an intentional commitment
to love God and our neighbor
through compassionate ministries.

LEARNING

Scripture
CALL.
Statement.

LEARNING

2 Timothy 3:15
A CALL TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH.
We are called to identify & affirm
spiritual gifts, so together we can minister
authentically in a multiethnic, multicultural,
 and multifaith community.

LIVING

1 John 3:18
A CALL TO WHOLISTIC MINISTRY.
We are called to participate in God's work of personal, spiritual, and community change and restoration.

LIFTING

John 12:32
A CALL TO DIVERSITY.
We are called to be a multiethnic, multicultural, and multifunctional Fellowship & Campus that models the ministry of reconciliation.

LOOKING

Micah 6:8
A CALL TO COMMUNITY.
We are called to leverage relationships for the greatest community impact.

What We Believe.

In Essential Beliefs We have unity.

"There is one body & one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God & Father of us all. . ."  (Ephesians 4:4-6)

In Non-Essential Beliefs We have liberty.

"Welcome the person who is weak in faith-but not in order to argue about differences of opinion. . .Who are you to judge someone else's servants? They stand or fall before their own Lord. . .So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. . . So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. "  (Romans 14:2, 4, 12, & 22)

In All Our Beliefs We show charity.

"If I speak words from God, if I can understand all secrets, and know everything, 
if I can move mountains by believing, but if I do not love people, I am nothing, even though I can do all of these things. "  (1 Corinthians 13:2)

The Essentials We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of Damascus International Fellowship based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

About God

God is the creator and ruler of the universe.  He eternally exists in three personalities:
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  These three are co-equal and are one with God.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Genesis 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

About Jesus Christ

Jesus is the Son of God.  He is co-equal with the Father.  Jesus lived a sinless human life and while fully human, never divested himself of any godly attributes.  He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross.  He arose from the dead, after three days, to demonstrate His power over sin and death.  He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; John 14:10-30, John 17:14; Hebrews 4:14-15;
1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3, 4;Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13

About the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God.  He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ.  He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation.  He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.  He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved and as Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 16-17, 26; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:10-12; 
Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:25

About the Bible

The bible is God's Word to us.  It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.  It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.  Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
II Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 12:6; Psalm 119:105 & 160; Proverbs 30:5-6

About Human Beings

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character.  People are the supreme object of God's creation.  Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin."  This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:23

About Salvation

Salvation is God's gift to us, but we must accept it.
We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works.  Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty.
When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus Christ in faith, we will be saved.
Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his/her life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1-2

About Eternal Security

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity.  If you have been genuinely 'saved', you cannot "lose" it.  Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian.
It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 10:10-14; Matthew 1:8; Matthew 2:44 & 46

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