Redemption Hill Church's Theological Statement
The fullest expression of our theological beliefs are found in the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689. We believe that this historic document is an excellent summary of the fundamental truths of God’s Word. We accept it, not as an authoritative rule or code of faith, but as an aid to us in times of controversy, a confirmation to us of what we believe, and as a means of growing together in grace. In this Confession the members of our church will have a body of doctrinal truths in small compass, and by means of Scriptural proofs will be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in them (1 Peter 3:15). The summarization of the confession can be found in the succinct statements below.
We believe that the Bible is the all sufficient Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20, 21; Mark 13:31; John 8:31, 32; John 20:31; Acts 20:32)
We believe that there is one God, who has eternally existed in three distinct persons; The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each of these persons are equal in every divine perfection, essence, and being, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption. (Genesis 1:1, 26; John 1:1, 3; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24; Romans 1:19, 20; Ephesians 4:5-6)
We enthusiastically embrace the sovereignty of God in all things, including God’s grace in saving sinners. We affirm that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, not on the basis of foreseen faith but unconditionally, according to his sovereign good pleasure and will. We believe that God’s sovereignty over our salvation neither nullifies the responsibility of people to believe the gospel nor marginalizes the need and power of prayer and evangelism, but rather reinforces and establishes them as the ordained means by which God accomplishes his ordained ends. (Isaiah 46:10, John 1:12-13; John 6:37-44; John 10:25-30; Acts 13:48; Ephesians 1:1-14; Ephesians 2:1-8; Philippians 2:12-13, Titus 3:3-7)
We believe that man was created very good, upright, and in the image and likeness of God, but that through Adam’s sin, the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. As a result man is born dead in sin, totally depraved, estranged from his creator, and of himself utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. Sin has justly caused man to be in a state of spiritual blindness and death. (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1–3; Ephesians 2:12)
We believe that those who repent and forsake sin and trust Jesus Christ as Savior have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and become new creatures, delivered from condemnation and receive eternal life. We believe that regeneration precedes faith, and is a gracious gift of God accomplished through the work of the Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:26; Genesis 3; Genesis 2:17; 3:19; Ecclesiastes. 2:11; John 3:14; 5:24; John 5:30; 7:13; 8:12; 10:26; Romans 9:22)
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received only by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on the cross for the forgiveness and atonement for sins. It is only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that one can be saved. (Ephesians 2:8–10; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18–19; Acts 4:12)
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus is truly God, while also being truly man. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, and ascension into heaven. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. His atoning work is available to those who would trust in Him alone for salvation. (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1; 20:28; Romans 9:5; 8:32; II Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 2:21-23; John 20:30, 31; Matthew 20:28; Ephesians 1:4; Acts 1:11; Romans 5:6-8; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:28; I Timothy 3:16)
We believe that such only are real believers who endure unto the end: that their perseverance in Christ is the grand mark that distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence from God through the Holy Spirit watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. (John 8:31; I John 2:27-28; I John 3:9; I John 5:18; I John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God the Father where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry as Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. We believe Jesus is coming again to visibly establish His kingdom, renew all things, consummate His union with His Bride, and to judge the living and the dead. At that time, and in that moment, all believers will receive their new, resurrected and glorified bodies to dwell with the Lord Jesus forever in the new heavens and the new earth. Those who do not trust in Jesus by faith will be raised to eternal separation and judgment in hell. (Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:24; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1–2; 1 Peter 4:5; Romans 14:9; 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Corinthians 15; Revelation 22)
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowing of spiritual gifts on His church. We believe that every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and empowered with gifts of His grace. It is, however, the believer’s responsibility to attempt to develop his or her sovereignly given spiritual gift(s). We believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to the gift(s) and grace of God that is given to him or her for their personal edification, but more importantly for the building up of and the unity of the body. (Romans 12:1–8; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Peter 4:10–11; 1 Corinthians 12:12-19, 1 Corinthians 14)
We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work, and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. (Ephesians 2:19-22; Acts 1:8;
Acts 2:42-27; Ephesians 5:19-21; Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:23-25)
We set aside the first day of the week (Sunday) to celebrate the Lord’s Day where we distinctly gather as a church for worship and edification in remembrance of our Lord’s death and resurrection. Furthermore, we aspire to remember and practice a day of Sabbath for rest, as demonstrated by the LORD God in creation. Whereas, we believe work and rest to not be opposing forces, but elements of a rhythm that make good work and true recreation possible. Sabbath rest provides a helpful, visible reminder that God is at the center of life, and that He has our good in mind (Mk. 2:27). We agree that Christ is the Lord of the Sabbath, that it is “lawful to do good on the sabbath (Matt. 12:12),” and we are further encouraged to look to the person of Christ completing what is necessary for salvation, thus providing eternal rest that comes only through Him. (Acts 20:7; Gen. 2:3; Col. 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; I Cor. 16:1-2; Ex. 20:8; Rev. 1:10; Ps. 118:15, 24; Isa. 58:13-14; Isa. 56:2-8; Heb. 10:24-25; Acts 11:26; Acts 13:44; Lev. 19:30; Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2-3; Ps. 26:8; Ps. 87:3; Heb. 4:3-11 Heb. 4:11 Gen. 1:27; Gen. 2:3)
We believe that believer’s baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper are the two visible ordinances (also called sacraments) that Christ has given His Church. These ordinances outwardly display what has inwardly taken place by the Spirit through faith, namely that those who have professed faith in Jesus have been united to Him in his death and resurrection and are assured eternal life. (Romans 6:3-5; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-41; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34)
The Governance of Redemption Hill Church
Redemption Hill functions as an elder-led, member affirmed congregational model of church governance. We believe that there are two offices in a New Testament church: the office of elder and the office of deacon. See 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Philippians 1:1-2; Acts 20:17-32; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Acts 6; Romans 16:1-2
As used in Scripture, the term “elder” is synonymous with “pastor” and “overseer.” An elder must be a male, who meets the qualifications laid out in the Scriptures. The elders of the church are given responsibility for the oversight, direction, and leadership of the church and its ministries and direction. Thus, elders are responsible to lead the church to function as a New Testament church primarily in the areas of oversight, shepherding, preaching, and teaching.
(1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5)
As used in Scripture, the term deacon means minister or servant. The deacons, under the leadership and direction of the elders, serve in areas where ministering to the needs of the church is of primary importance. Deacons are believers of spiritual maturity and wisdom, who demonstrate a servant spirit.
(1 Timothy 3:8-13; Philippians 1:1-2, Romans 16:1-2)
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you