At Horizon, we hold to the truth that God desires for all of His people to walk in unity and love (John 17). Unfortunately, church history reveals that God’s people have often allowed “preferences” to divide and alienate those that God calls “brothers in Christ.” Rather than focus on preferences that divide, we focus simply on the “essential beliefs”; those beliefs necessary to experience spiritual “new birth” or salvation from sin and fellowship with God.
(Ephesians 4:4-6; Romans 14:1,4,22; I Corinthians 13:2)

The Essentials We Believe

God | Jesus Christ | Holy Spirit | Bible
People | Salvation | Eternity

God is the creator and the ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Those three are co-equal with God and are one God.
(Genesis 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14)
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Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. He was born of a virgin and lived a perfect, sinless human life. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days, ascended into heaven, and will return again someday to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
(Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; I Corinthians 15:3-4, Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)
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The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and Son. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of Salvation. He provides the believer with power for living, understanding spiritual truth, wisdom, and guidance for doing what is right. As Christians, we seek to live under his control daily.
(II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18; Acts 2:4)
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The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for all Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
(II Timothy 1:13, 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105; 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)
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People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme objects of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2)
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Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sins by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting Jesus Christ as God’s offer for forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-willed life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
(Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)
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Eternity - The soul of every human being was created to live forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through salvation and forgiveness. Hell is eternal separation from God. Heaven is eternal union with God. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
(John 3:16; 2:25, 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8; 2:44-46)
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