Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of Switzerland Community 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
God eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each, though different in person, is fully God. (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14)
BIBLE
The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is inspired by God in every word, completely without error in the original documents, and is the supreme authority in faith and life. (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
MAN
Man was created in the image of God to establish God’s rule over the earth, but man sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is eternal separation from God. All human beings are born into this state and have a sinful nature. (Romans 3:10-23; Eph. 2:1-3)
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary and is true God and true man. He died for man’s sins according to the scriptures, was buried and raised bodily from the dead according to the scriptures. He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father and is our High Priest and Advocate to the Father. (John 1:1-3; Matt 1:16, 18, 25; 1 Cor. 15:1-4)
SALVATION
Salvation is entirely a free gift of God’s grace acquired through personal faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinners. (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7)
SANCTIFICATION BY HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit produces a new life and permanently indwells every person who trusts in Christ from the very moment that he receives Christ as savior. The process of sanctification is one of setting the believer apart from sin and setting apart to righteousness and to God’s purposes. Every believer is baptized by the Holy Spirit which puts him into the body of Christ (I cor 12:13) and is given gifts to serve the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12, Rom. 12).
THE CHURCH
The Church is made up of all believers who form the Body of Christ and represent God in the world. The Church assembles for worship, prayer, fellowship, and teaching (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:24-25). The Church disperses as witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8). The external symbols of baptism (Romans 6:3-11) and the Lord’s Table (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-31) are celebrated as spiritual pictures of entering and living the Christian life.
MAN'S ETERNAL DESTINY
Man’s eternal destiny is determined by his acceptance or rejection of Jesus Christ as savior. Those who accept Christ as their savior will be resurrected to eternal life and joy in the presence of God, but those who reject Christ will be raised to judgment and separation from God for all eternity. (John 3:16-18, 5:22-29) We believe in a literal heaven and a literal hell.
MARRIAGE
Is God’s designed foundation for the family unit. As a central theme in the creation narrative, the marriage covenant is described as one genetic male and one genetic female as one flesh, serving as the paradigm set forth to bear the image of God, which is upheld by the teaching of Jesus and attested to by the early church.
THE BLESSED HOPE OF JESUS' RETURN
The Blessed Hope of the church of Jesus Christ is the reality of the imminent, personal RETURN of her Lord and Savior. (1 Thess. 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-15)