We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
These statements do not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The bible itself is the inspired and infallible Word of God.(2 Timothy 3:16-17) As such the bible itself is the final authority concerning all truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind. It is the sole and final source of all we believe. All believers should study scripture for themselves and so begin to rightly divide The Word of Truth.(2 Timothy 2:15) while leadership of the church is the final interpretive authority for scripture in our particular fellowship, we allow scripture to interpret itself in doing so.
Scriptural Basis: Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9; Hebrews 13:4; Leviticus 18:22-24; Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:18-28; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:8-11; Hebrews 13:4; John 8:7-11; Galatians 5:14; Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 6:17-20
Every person is created in the image of god. As such they should be treated with dignity and respect. Furthermore God calls us to love. We love each and every individual with whom we come in contact. Because we love, we speak truth. Truth is found in Christ and in His Word. Speaking Truth in love is often challenging in a culture that defines love as agreeing with every desire in the hearts of men. Because we love as Christ loved, we must be willing to challenge ideas and mindsets that become stumbling blocks in our journey of faith in Him. If there is any question or if you need counsel on any of these issues, we will never condemn you, but rather help lead you out of condemnation that comes with sin and to the new life in Christ Jesus. We will help provide or find appropriate Godly counsel as the situation demands.
On Gender:
From Genesis through the entirety of scripture God had a purpose behind gender. He created both male and Female in His image. To deny either is to deny the image of God. Even before we are born, God Gives us purpose in the earth. He assigns gender according to that purpose. At ecclesia Cartersville we will always acknowledge the purpose of God over the thoughts and desires of men. Individuals cannot choose their own gender. God did not make a mistake when He chose your gender. We must place our faith and hope in Him, and trust that His purpose is greater and surrender to His will.
On Sexuality:
Likewise, God had a purpose for sex and sexuality from the very beginning. First and foremost, Sex allows us to fulfill the mandate God placed on man to "Be fruitful and Multiply". It is the physical fulfillment of "two becoming one flesh". It is intended to bring together one man and one woman into unity even in their bodies. Sex and sexuality are a beautiful expression of the purpose of God in man. It is meant to be kept within the confines of marriage between one man and one woman.
On marriage:
Marriage is a Holy union defined clearly in scripture as being between one man and one woman. It is a representation of the Love that Christ had for the Church. We honor marriage and hold it sacred.
scriptural basis: Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:13-16; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 1:4-5; Isaiah 49:1; Galatians 1:15 Exodus 21:22-24; Proverbs 6:16-19; Isaiah 59:7-8; Jeremiah 22:13-17
Scripture is clear in both the old and New Testaments that life is sacred from the womb to the tomb. Mankind is created in the image of God and recreated into the likeness of God through salvation. From the moment of conception to the moment of final breath, the Lord holds life as sacred. With few exceptions, Any intentional taking of life from the moment of conception to the last breath of an individual is completely sinful. Ecclesia Cartersville extends a heart of compassion for anyone who has participated in this sin as with any other sin. Because we do value life, we choose to speak out against abortion or euthanasia.