DICC Statement of Beliefs

Article III: Doctrine

The doctrines below do not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of the Deer Island Community Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our elders are Deer Island Community Church’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.

3.1 We believe the Bible is God’s inspired and inerrant word, the eternal, infallible, and final standard of faith and practice for the believers in Jesus Christ. Its interpretation must be gained by careful reading in its grammatical, historical, and literary context under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. (Psalm 119; Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 5:18; Luke 16:17; John 10:34,35; John 16:13; Acts 17:11; I Corinthians 2:10-13; II Timothy 2:15; II Timothy 3:16,17; II Peter 1:16-21)

3.2  We believe in one living and true God, the Creator of all, who is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being and who exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that each has the same nature,

attributes, and perfections and is worthy of the same worship. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 40:28; Matthew 28:18,19; John 8:58; Acts

5:3,4; II Corinthians 1:3; John 1:1,2)

3.3 We believe God makes Himself known to all humanity in general revelation (creation, providential care, the sense of His nearness and conscience) and that much truth concerning God’s existence and His glory can be discovered through careful study of His creative handiwork. (Psalm 8:1; 19:1-6; 104; Acts 14:17; 17:27; Romans 1:18-21, 2:14,15)

3.4 We believe that humanity was created in the image of God, and that everyperson bears His image. We believe, however, that every person has fallen in sin and is therefore separated from God and in need of salvation. (Genesis 1:26,27; Romans 3:22,23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3)

3.5 We believe that, in accordance with the Father’s eternal plan to redeem mankind, the Son became a man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ provided the perfect means for mankind’s salvation through His sinless life, His death on the cross as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and His bodily resurrection from the dead. We believe that He ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest. (Luke 1:35;

John 14:6; Acts 1:9,10; 2:23; Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 1:7;

Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:25; 9:24; I Peter 1:3-5; I John 2:1-2)

3.6 We believe that salvation is the gift of God received by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that true faith in Christ guarantees the fruit of good works in the believer’s life. (John 1:12; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 2:11-14; James 2:18-26; I John 2:14-18)

3.7 We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ through regenerating, indwelling, instructing and empowering believers, and that He is our advocate before the Father in intercession on our behalf. (John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; Ephesians l:13-14; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:26,27)

3.8 We believe that the Church (Body of Christ) is composed of all true believers in Jesus Christ. (Matthew 16:18; I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22,23; 5:25-27)

3.9 We believe that the local church is an organized assembly of believers, indwelt and unified by the Holy Spirit in confession and mission, who gather regularly to worship God, encourage one another, teach the Word, observe the ordinances of baptism and communion, and actively make Christ known in the world by both word and deed. We believe that under the headship of Christ, the local church has the right to decide and govern its own affairs. (Matthew 28:16-20; John 13:35; Acts 1:8; 2:41,42; 6:1-6; 8:36-38; I Corinthians 1:2; 5:13; 6:1-5; 11:23-39; Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 10:25)

3.10 We believe in the personal, imminent and pre-millennial coming of the Lord Jesus for His redeemed ones. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead; the believer to everlasting joy with the Lord and the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting punishment. (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28,29; Romans 13:11,12; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:1l-13; I Peter 1:3-7; Revelation 20:5,6,12,13)

3.11 We believe that because God has ordained marriage and ordained it as the covenant relationship between a man, a woman, and Himself, the Deer Island Community Church will only recognize marriage between a biological man and a biological woman. Further, the pastors and staff of Deer Island Community Church will only participate in weddings and solemnize marriages between a biological man and a biological woman. (Genesis 2:18-25)

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