Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of Highland Crest Baptist Church 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.
GOD
There is one eternally existing God who has three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is the creator of all that exists, both visible and invisible, and is therefore worthy of all glory and praise. God is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, justice, and mercy. He is unchangeable and therefore is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
THE BIBLE
The Bible is our sole authority
“…and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
II TIMOTHY 3:15
Since God’s word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is “What does the Bible say?” We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.
“…and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
II TIMOTHY 3:15
Since God’s word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is “What does the Bible say?” We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.
PRIESTHOOD OF THE BELIEVER
“To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father”
REVELATION 1:5-6
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full time” Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading.
It is, of course, a perversion of this doctrine to say that all views are equally valid, that you can believe anything and still be a Baptist, or that the pastor has no unique role in leadership.
REVELATION 1:5-6
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full time” Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading.
It is, of course, a perversion of this doctrine to say that all views are equally valid, that you can believe anything and still be a Baptist, or that the pastor has no unique role in leadership.
GIVING
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
MALACHI 3:10
At Highland Crest we practice tithing for the support of the church, Christ’s body, as He commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard of giving. We believe that we give back to God what He has already blessed us with, and that through His love He allows us to be stewards of the wealth He bestows on us.
MALACHI 3:10
At Highland Crest we practice tithing for the support of the church, Christ’s body, as He commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard of giving. We believe that we give back to God what He has already blessed us with, and that through His love He allows us to be stewards of the wealth He bestows on us.
BAPTISM
“ ... having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.”
COLOSSIANS 2:12
We practice baptism by immersion under water, after salvation. This is the way Jesus was baptized, and the way the Bible commands.
COLOSSIANS 2:12
We practice baptism by immersion under water, after salvation. This is the way Jesus was baptized, and the way the Bible commands.
SECURITY OF THE GENUINE BELIEVER
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”
JOHN 10:27-29
We believe that when a person is genuinely saved, he is saved forever. Salvation from beginning to end is totally the work of God.
OUTREACH
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
I PETER 3:15
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those God brings us into contact with. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to come to church.
I PETER 3:15
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those God brings us into contact with. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to come to church.