Return of Christ

We believe in this Hope (Titus 2:13); the personal and victorious return of Jesus Christ for His Church (John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Zechariah 14:4-11).

 

Holy Spirit         

We believe in the Holy Spirit who is the third person of the Trinity, God’s voice of redemption and revelation; that He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; regenerates those who believe; and indwells, baptizes, seals, empowers, guides, teaches and sanctifies all who become children of God through Christ (1 Corinthians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; John 16:8-11; Ephesians 3:14-17; Romans 8:14).

 

Satan

We believe that Satan is a real personality, created perfect by God, given power, but through pride fell and became the father of sin. He is the archenemy of our souls. We believe that he will be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Job 1:6, 7; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:10).

 

Creation

We believe that, for His glory, God spoke into being the heavens and the earth and all that is in them.  Man was created perfect in the image of God, by a special act of God, and wholly apart from any process of evolution (Genesis 1, 2; Psalms 33:6-9; Colossians 1:16; John 1:3).

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Original Sin

We believe that as a result of the disobedience of Adam and Eve, our first parents, all men are separated from God, unanimously sinful, therefore having no possible means of salvation. Consequently, they are alienated from the life and family of God, and are under the righteous judgment and wrath of God (Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 3:23; 5:12).

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Salvation

We believe in salvation by grace through faith; that salvation is the free gift of God, not earned by any work of man, but received only by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom all true believers have the gift of eternal life. This salvation includes the whole person: spirit, soul and body; and apart from Christ there is no possible salvation (John 3:16; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23-24; 8:1-2; Ephesians 2:8,9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23,24).

 

Eternal Security

We believe that it is the benefit of the believer to rejoice in the assurance of his salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian freedom as an occasion for sinful living (Romans 8:16-17; 1 John 5:13; Philippians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

 

Destiny of Man

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28-29; 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6, 12-15).

 

The Church

We believe that all those who are born again of the Holy Spirit during this Church age are members of the Body of the Lord Jesus Christ, which He began to build on the day of Pentecost, and will complete at His second coming (Ephesians 4:4-6, 5:25-32; Acts 2:42-47).

 

We acknowledge only the Lord Jesus Christ as our Head; the Holy Scriptures as the only perfect guide in matters of faith and discipline, and the Holy Spirit as our teacher (Ephesians 4:1-6).  

 

Christian Living

We believe that it should be the desire of all believers to practice good works in obedience to the discovered will of God, who will richly reward us for these good works. It is the believer’s way of expressing his love to God and showing to the world that inward change of heart. These good works do not add to our salvation but are an evidence of our salvation (1 Corinthians 3:11-16; 6:12-20; Colossians 3:17; Philippians 2:12, 13).

 

We believe that Christians are called into a life of separation and should withdraw from all appearances of evil (Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 2:16; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:22).

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Spiritual Gifts

We believe that God through the Holy Spirit is the giver of all His Spiritual gifts. He gives talents, abilities, skills, and graces to each believer for the building up of the Church. He has given specially gifted believers to the church; apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers – for the enriching of the saints and the building up of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:7-13).

 

Sanctity of Life

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image.  Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage of condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect and value all human life (Psalm 139; Jeremiah 1:5).

 

Marriage

We believe God has ordained marriage and defined it as the covenant relationship between a man, a woman and Himself. Upper Deer Creek, Inc. (UDC) will only recognize marriages between a naturally-born biological man and a naturally-born biological woman.  Further, the pastor(s) and staff of UDC shall only participate in weddings and solemnize marriages between one naturally-born biological man and one naturally-born biological woman.  Finally, the facilities and property of Upper Deer Creek, Inc. shall only host weddings between one naturally-born biological man and one naturally-born biological woman (Genesis 2:18-25; 1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4).

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Final Authority

The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of followers of Christ, is the sole and final source of all that we believe.  For the purpose of Upper Deer Creek Church, Inc. (UDC) faith, doctrine, practice, policy and discipline, our pastoral staff, and Elder Board are UDC’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.