What We Believe
Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of H7O 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.
The Bible
The Holy Bible is the authoritative, inspired Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible, and inerrant.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25-26
God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and co-eternal.
Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; Luke 1:35; John 1:1,2,14, 10:30; Genesis 1:1,26, 27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 9:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:4-6; Hebrews 3:7-11; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 5:7
Jesus Christ
Jesus is fully God and fully man. He came to earth, was conceived in the virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life. He died and rose again to reconcile all people to God and free them from the power of sin and the devil. He will return someday to complete the building of His Kingdom. All who belong to Him shall reign with Him, and all who reject Him shall suffer eternal destruction.
Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1,14, 20:28; Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13; 1 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5-6; 1 Timothy 2:5
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides believers with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift upon salvation, and believers are to seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit continually.
John 16:5-15; Romans 8:16, 23, 26, 27; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 44-47, 11:15-17, 19:1-6
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit manifests through various spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the Church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. The Bible’s lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and they may occur in different combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of these gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of biblical principles.
John 15:8; Romans 1:11, 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-40; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:16; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6-7; Hebrews 2:4; 1 Peter 4:10
Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to reflect His character. Humans are the pinnacle of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all are marred by sin, an attitude of disobedience toward God. This sin separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2
Redemption
Man was created good and upright, but through voluntary sin, he fell. His only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21; Titus 2:14; Galatians 3:13
Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never earn salvation through self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can we be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment a person receives Jesus Christ by faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; John 14:6; Titus 3:5; Romans 3:23-24, 5:1, 6:23, 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Galatians 3:26; Hebrews 9:22; 1 Timothy 2:4; 1 John 2
Jesus' Blood
The blood that Jesus shed on the Cross of Calvary was sinless and is 100% sufficient to cleanse humanity of all sin. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all who believe to be free from the penalty of sin, which is death.
1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 5:9; Colossians 1:20; Romans 3:10-12, 23, 5:9; John 1:29
Repentance
Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ, allowing us to receive His redemption and be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Through repentance, we receive forgiveness of sins and salvation.
Acts 2:21, 3:19; John 6:37; 1 John 1:9
New Birth
To become a child of God, a person must be born again.
John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17
Sanctification
Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit to develop Christ’s character in us. Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, the believer is empowered to live a godly life.
1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18; Romans 8:29, 12:1-2; Hebrews 2:11
The Church
The Church is the Body of Christ, the dwelling place of God through the Spirit, with divine purposes to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission. Every person born of the Spirit is an integral part of the Church. There is spiritual unity among all believers in Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23
Sacraments
- Water Baptism: A believer’s public declaration of faith, practiced by full immersion.
- Communion: A sacred time to remember Jesus’ sacrifice through bread and wine (grape juice).
Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38, 41; Mark 16:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28
Healing of the Sick
Healing is part of Jesus’ ministry and a sign that follows believers. It is also listed as one of the gifts of the Spirit.
Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14-16
Resurrection
Jesus physically resurrected from the dead. The saved will be resurrected to eternal life, while the lost will face eternal separation.
Luke 24:16, 36, 39; John 20:26-28; 1 Corinthians 15:42, 44
Eternity
Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
Second Coming of Christ
Jesus will return visibly and physically to establish His Kingdom.