WHAT WE BELIEVE

• The Bible is the inspired Word of God (2 Peter 1:21; Psalm 19:7-11), without error in the original manuscripts and our guide for daily living (2 Timothy 3:16).
• The one living and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6) exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 28:18-20).
• Jesus Christ is fully God (Hebrews 1:1-4; 1 John 5:20) and fully man (Matthew 1:20), and that He died on the cross for our sins (1 John 1:29) and rose on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-5; John 1:1-3).
• The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity (2 Corinthians 13:14) and that He empowers us for daily living (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13).
• People are created by God in His image (Genesis 1:27), but we have separated ourselves from God (Romans 2:5; 5:12) and need His saving grace (Ephesians 2:8).
• Salvation is a gift of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), and we receive this gift of eternal life when we trust Jesus Christ (Romans 4:4-5; 5:1) as our Savior from sin (John 3:16; Acts 4:12).
• The church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23: 5:24-30) and that God has called believers to gather together in local church families (1 Corinthians 12:12).
• Jesus Christ will come again (Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; John 14:1-3) and reign eternally (Philippians 2:9-11).

Predestination

The Bible teaches predestination and the unconditional election of God. God is sovereign in salvation. The Bible also tells us to trust in Jesus, assuming free will. So, we believe 100% in God’s sovereignty and predetermination AND 100% in the free will of man. We do not logically reconcile them but accept them both as true and wait on more understanding in heaven. We challenge people to believe in Jesus, we pray for God to open their eyes and give them faith, and we give Him all the credit if they do turn to Jesus. (Romans 8:28-29, 9-11, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 6:44)

Marriage, Gender and Sexuality

We believe God wonderfully creates each person as male or female. These two distinct and complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Rejection of one’s biological gender is a rejection of the image of God within that person.

We believe the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Genesis 2:18-25).

We believe God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (I Corinthians 6:18, 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4). We believe God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.

We believe any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Matthew 15:18-20: I Corinthians 6:9-10).

We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Restoration Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a Biblical role model to our members and the community, it is imperative for all persons employed by Restoration in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers in a leadership capacity, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender and Sexuality (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16; I Thessalonians 5:22).

We believe God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and repent of their sin, and seek His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; I Corinthians 6:9-11; Romans 10:9-10).

We believe every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accordance with Scripture nor the doctrines of Restoration Church.

Spiritual Gifts

We believe all the spiritual gifts are continually operative and valid for today (1 Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 4; Romans 12). All gifts should be exercised within Biblical guidelines, with order, and under the leadership of the church and ministry involved.

Eschatology

We believe Jesus Christ is coming again. We do not specify, in our core beliefs, the nature of the timing of such an event, or the specifics of it (i.e., the millennium or rapture). 

Baptism

We believe baptism is an outward sign of an inward transformation. Baptism is not a requirement for salvation, for it is by grace alone through faith we are saved, but an act of obedience to show the world you have chosen to follow Jesus. We practice baptism by immersion, representing Jesus' death, burial and resurrection (Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

We believe every Christian receives the Holy Spirit when they trust Jesus Christ as their Savior - being given the Spirit of God to teach, lead, guide, direct, and empower - and is baptized and grafted into the body of Christ at the time of conversion. Some segments of faith believe the spiritual gift of tongues is evidence of and necessary for salvation. We do not hold to that belief. Instead, we believe all the gifts of the Spirit are operative, and that tongues is one of many gifts the Spirit may give to a believer, knowing that not everyone receives every gift (See 1 Corinthians 12-14).

Women in Ministry

We hold a moderate position on this issue, avoiding an extreme traditional view and an extreme egalitarian view. There are difficult passages for each position and there is a need for great humility and sensitivity. At this point, women at Restoration are free to serve in any capacity, with the exception of lead pastor and elder.

If we simply rely on our reasoning, then women would, of course, be allowed to do anything a man could do. Women are equally capable and equally gifted. However, for the Jesus follower, the Bible is our authority and we wrestle with the passages that address the issue (1 Timothy 2:8-15, 1 Corinthians 11:2-16; 14:34-35, Acts 2:17-21; 21:9, Romans 16:1-2, Galatians 3:28, Judges 4).

Eternal Security

We believe in eternal security. Any person who, in simple faith, places their trust in Jesus Christ receives the gift of eternal life, which never ends. All sins are forgiven. Each believer is given right standing with God. Every child of God is sealed by the Holy Spirit and safe and secure for all eternity. A Christian can lose their fellowship, joy, power and rewards, but their relationship with God is eternal (John 5:24,6:47, 10:27-30, Romans 3:21-31, 8:28-39, Ephesians 2:1-10). 

Sanctity of Human Life