Emmanuel Free Church (EFC)

Statement of Faith

We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of man, and the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life. (Ps. 119:89, 160; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21)

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Isa. 40:28; 2 Cor. 18:14)

We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where at the right hand of the majesty on High, He now is our High Priest and Advocate. (Matt. 1:18, 23, 25; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Eph. 1:20-21; Heb. 2:17)

We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, and to indwell, guide, instruct, gift, and empower the believer for godly living and service. We believe that certain ministries of the Holy Spirit, including tongues and signs and wonders, to have been for the purpose of authenticating the message of the Apostles, and therefore were limited to the Apostolic Age. (Jn. 16:7-11; 1 Cor. 12:11; 13:8-10; Eph. 1:13-14)

We believe that man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin, and is therefore lost, and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.
(Gen. 1:27; 3:1-6; Rom. 5:12, 19; 1 Pet. 3:18)

We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus are born of the Holy Spirit, and thus become children of God. (Rom. 5:8-9; 8:1, 9-11, 14)

We believe that the Lord’s Supper and Water Baptism by immersion are ordinances to be observed by the church during this present age. They are not, however, to be regarded as means to salvation. (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-39; 1 Cor. 11:23-28)

We believe that the true Church is composed of all such persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and are united together in the Body of Christ, of which He is the Head. (1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 1:22-23)

We believe that only those who are thus members of the true Church shall be eligible for membership in the local church. (Acts 2:41-42; 1 Cor. 4:17)

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church, and that every local church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs. (1 Cor. 11:2; Col. 1:18;
1 Tim. 3:1-13)

We believe in the imminent, personal, pre-tribulation and pre-millennial coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that this blessed hope has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. (1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14)

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, and of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment. (Prov. 14:32; Jn. 3:36; Rev. 20:14-15)