Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of Covenant Fellowship 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 is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. - Gen 1:1, 26; Acts 17:29; Rom 1:20; Col 2:9; & 1 Jn 5:7
Holy Spirit
We believe in the personality of the HOLY SPIRIT and that He is fully equal with the FATHER and the SON.
- His ministry is to reveal CHRIST to men, to convict of sin, to regenerate repentant sinners and, by His presence and power, to comfort and sanctify the lives of the redeemed. - Jn 16:7-11 & Eph 1:13-14
- We also believe that the “Sign Gifts” (i.e. - speaking in tongues, miracles, and healing) are gifts of the HOLY SPIRIT as described in 1 Cor 12 and are for the purpose of reaching the unsaved. - Mk 16:16-20; 1 Cor 1:22 & 14:21- 22; & 1 Cor 12:7-11, 27-30
- Speaking in tongues is not visible evidence of being Spirit-filled. An examination of Acts 10 will reveal just the opposite. - Acts 10:44-46 & 19:6
Salvation
We believe that man was created in the image of God, but by willful transgression became sinful and is justly under the condemnation and wrath of Almighty God. We believe that through Adam’s transgression the entire human race has inherited a corrupt nature which is essentially evil and unable to please GOD. - Gen 1-3; Rom 3:10, 23 & 5:12 & 6:23; & Eph 2:1-3
We believe that the only salvation from the guilt and condemnation is through faith in the righteousness and atonement of the LORD JESUS CHRIST and that this salvation is the free gift of GOD’s love and grace. - Acts 4:12; Eph 2:8-9; & Titus 3:5
We believe that the only salvation from the guilt and condemnation is through faith in the righteousness and atonement of the LORD JESUS CHRIST and that this salvation is the free gift of GOD’s love and grace. - Acts 4:12; Eph 2:8-9; & Titus 3:5
- The first time the word “grace” appears in the Bible is in Genesis 6:8. Grace is but one of three by-products of faith. - Eph 2:8
- The other two are mercy and peace. Grace is an “undeserved blessing” that is freely bestowed upon us by God whenever we accept His solutions to our failures. - Jer 18:2
- Thus, the whole point of grace is that it doesn’t start with us. It starts with God. Grace is not earned or merited but is freely and lovingly given to those who come to God by faith. - Heb 11:1
- God says, “I’ve got something for you that you don’t deserve, but if you’ll give me the 'last say' in your life, I’ll bestow it upon you.”
- The greatest description of grace given in the Bible is found in Genesis 19. It is the story of Lot. Like Noah (in Gen 6:8), Lot also experienced the grace of God when he, by faith, “agreed” (repented – Jonah 3:5) to leave the city of Sodom. - Gen 19:14a,16,19
- Again, grace describes God’s attitude towards the lawbreaker and rebel. Whereas mercy is defined as not receiving what we do deserve (which is Hell), grace is defined as receiving what we don’t deserve (which is deliverance from Hell). In other words, what we deserve is Hell and what we don’t deserve is deliverance from Hell. Because of God's grace, we are delivered from what we deserve. - Eph 2:8-9
Jesus Christ
We believe in the deity of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. We believe in His virgin birth, His sinless life, and in His miracles. We believe in His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, and His ascension to the right hand of the FATHER. And we believe in His personal return in power and glory. - Mat 1:18-23; 1 Cor 5:21; Acts 2:22; Isa 53; Mat 28:6; & Acts 1:9-11
Revelation
God has revealed himself to us through his son Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God, the holy scriptures, and through all of creation itself.
Mankind
Humans, both male and female, were created in God's image for His glory. The first humans, Adam and Eve, were created without sin and appointed as caretakers of the rest of God's creations.
The Fall
When Adam and Eve chose not to obey God, they ceased to be what they were made to be and became distorted images of God. This caused them to fall out of fellowship with God and fractured all of creation ever since that time.
The Church
The Church is meant to be the visible body of Christ, sent into the world to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We are called to make our ministry PURPOSEFUL, not personal. - Acts 26:16
In making disciples, our purpose is to
We are called to make our ministry PURPOSEFUL, not personal. - Acts 26:16
In making disciples, our purpose is to
- be filled with, and led by, the Holy Spirit - Eph 5:18
- boldly share the Good News of Jesus Christ - Rom 1:16
- intercede in prayer - Jms 5:16
- meet and welcome all people at their point of need - Lk 14:21-23
- equip and strengthen believers of all ages through God's Word - Eph 4:11-12
- create a close fellowship of cooperation, service, and accountability - Acts 2:42,47
- honor the Lord through the stewardship of our time, talents, tithes, and offerings - Pro 3:9, and
- praise and worship our great God in spirit and truth - Jn 4:23
Resurrection
Jesus Christ is returning one day to judge both the living and the dead and to usher in the fullness of God's kingdom on earth.