Statement of Faith
Trinity
We affirm our belief in one God, infinite Spirit, Creator, and Sustainer of all things, who exists eternally in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence but distinct in person and function.
Father
We affirm that the Father is the first person of the Trinity and the source of all that God is and does. He is the Designer of creation, the Speaker of revelation, the Author of redemption, and the Sovereign of history.
Son
We affirm that the Lord Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity. Eternally begotten of the Father, He is God. He was conceived by the virgin Mary through a miracle of the Holy Spirit. He lives forever as perfect God and perfect man: two distinct natures inseparably united in one person.
Holy Spirit
We affirm that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, proceeding from the Father and the Son, equal in deity. He is the giver of all life, active in the creating and ordering of the universe. He is the agent of inspiration and the new birth; He restrains sin and Satan; and He indwells and sanctifies all believers.
Creation
We affirm that all things were created by God. Angels were created as ministering agents, though some, under the leadership of Satan, fell from their sinless state to become agents of evil. The universe was created in six historical days and is continuously sustained by God; thus it both reflects His glory and reveals His truth. Human beings were directly created, not evolved, in the very image of God. As reasoning moral agents, they are responsible under God for understanding and governing themselves and the world.
The Inspired Word of God
We affirm that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, though written by men, was supernaturally inspired by God so that all its words are the written, true revelation of God. It is therefore inerrant in the originals and authoritative in all matters. It is to be understood by all through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, its meaning determined by the historical, grammatical, and literary use of the author's language, comparing Scripture with Scripture.
The Fall of Man
We affirm that Adam, the first man, willfully disobeyed God, bringing sin and death into the world. As a result, all persons are sinners from conception, as evidenced by their willful acts of sin. They are therefore subject to eternal punishment under the just condemnation of a holy God.
Atonement
We affirm that Jesus Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice by the appointment of the Father. He fulfilled the demands of God by His obedient life, died on the cross in full substitution and payment for the sins of all, was buried, and on the third day He arose physically and bodily from the dead. He ascended into heaven where He now intercedes for all believers.
Salvation
We affirm that each person can be saved only through the work of Jesus Christ, through repentance of sin and by faith alone in Him as Savior. The believer is declared righteous, born again by the Holy Spirit, turned from sin, and assured of heaven.
Sanctification
We affirm that the Holy Spirit indwells all who are born again, conforming them to the likeness of Jesus Christ. This is a process completed only in heaven. Every believer is responsible to live in obedience to the Word of God in separation from sin.
The Church
We affirm that a church is a local assembly of baptized believers, under the discipline of the Word of God and the lordship of Christ, organized to carry out the commission to evangelize, to teach, and to administer the ordinances of believer's baptism and the Lord's Table. Its offices are pastor and deacon, and it is self-governing. It functions through the ministry of gifts given by the Holy Spirit to each believer.
Last Things
We affirm that the return of Christ for all believers is imminent. It will be followed by seven years of tribulation, and then the coming of Christ to establish His earthly kingdom for a thousand years. The unsaved will then be raised and judged according to their works and separated forever from God in hell. The saved, having been raised, will live forever in heaven in fellowship with God.
We affirm our belief in one God, infinite Spirit, Creator, and Sustainer of all things, who exists eternally in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence but distinct in person and function.
Father
We affirm that the Father is the first person of the Trinity and the source of all that God is and does. He is the Designer of creation, the Speaker of revelation, the Author of redemption, and the Sovereign of history.
Son
We affirm that the Lord Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity. Eternally begotten of the Father, He is God. He was conceived by the virgin Mary through a miracle of the Holy Spirit. He lives forever as perfect God and perfect man: two distinct natures inseparably united in one person.
Holy Spirit
We affirm that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, proceeding from the Father and the Son, equal in deity. He is the giver of all life, active in the creating and ordering of the universe. He is the agent of inspiration and the new birth; He restrains sin and Satan; and He indwells and sanctifies all believers.
Creation
We affirm that all things were created by God. Angels were created as ministering agents, though some, under the leadership of Satan, fell from their sinless state to become agents of evil. The universe was created in six historical days and is continuously sustained by God; thus it both reflects His glory and reveals His truth. Human beings were directly created, not evolved, in the very image of God. As reasoning moral agents, they are responsible under God for understanding and governing themselves and the world.
The Inspired Word of God
We affirm that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, though written by men, was supernaturally inspired by God so that all its words are the written, true revelation of God. It is therefore inerrant in the originals and authoritative in all matters. It is to be understood by all through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, its meaning determined by the historical, grammatical, and literary use of the author's language, comparing Scripture with Scripture.
The Fall of Man
We affirm that Adam, the first man, willfully disobeyed God, bringing sin and death into the world. As a result, all persons are sinners from conception, as evidenced by their willful acts of sin. They are therefore subject to eternal punishment under the just condemnation of a holy God.
Atonement
We affirm that Jesus Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice by the appointment of the Father. He fulfilled the demands of God by His obedient life, died on the cross in full substitution and payment for the sins of all, was buried, and on the third day He arose physically and bodily from the dead. He ascended into heaven where He now intercedes for all believers.
Salvation
We affirm that each person can be saved only through the work of Jesus Christ, through repentance of sin and by faith alone in Him as Savior. The believer is declared righteous, born again by the Holy Spirit, turned from sin, and assured of heaven.
Sanctification
We affirm that the Holy Spirit indwells all who are born again, conforming them to the likeness of Jesus Christ. This is a process completed only in heaven. Every believer is responsible to live in obedience to the Word of God in separation from sin.
The Church
We affirm that a church is a local assembly of baptized believers, under the discipline of the Word of God and the lordship of Christ, organized to carry out the commission to evangelize, to teach, and to administer the ordinances of believer's baptism and the Lord's Table. Its offices are pastor and deacon, and it is self-governing. It functions through the ministry of gifts given by the Holy Spirit to each believer.
Last Things
We affirm that the return of Christ for all believers is imminent. It will be followed by seven years of tribulation, and then the coming of Christ to establish His earthly kingdom for a thousand years. The unsaved will then be raised and judged according to their works and separated forever from God in hell. The saved, having been raised, will live forever in heaven in fellowship with God.
OUR CORE VALUES
The following are the core values of Harvest Baptist Church 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: God’s Truth over My Opinion
Without a doubt, Harvest is built upon the Word of God. Since our founding in 1981, we have never wavered nor compromised on the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God. We are committed to accurately teaching and preaching the Holy Scriptures at every opportunity. (Psalm 119:105)
Worship: Relationship over Religion
While it is true that we can find great joy in worshipping God through music, the very act of worship is not to be limited to a song or series of songs on Sunday morning. True worship, the kind that God seeks, is reflected in our lifestyle, in every moment, decision, and relationship. (Matthew 22:37)
Giving: Generous Living over Simply Giving
Giving is the thermometer that measures the passions of our hearts. For the follower of Christ, giving becomes part of their new nature. And while giving is about what we do with our money (our Treasure), its more than that. When we understand the goodness of God and what has been given to us and for us, we want to give Him our time and talents for ministry as well as our treasure. (Luke 6:38)
The Gospel: His Mission over My Tradition
Passion for sharing Jesus takes us outside the walls of our church. Harvest wants to compassionately serve our local community, as well as, actively participate in missions around the world. We want to reach our city and the "uttermost parts of the earth". (Romans 10:14)
Multi-Generational: Every Generation over My Generation
If the church really is a family, it should contain many generations. It takes work to understand each other. It requires people of all generations to subordinate their desires for the glory of God and the advancement of the kingdom. It means we have to live the gospel and not just sing, talk and read about it. It means that when we battle our flesh and embrace the joy of self-sacrifice for the kingdom, we discover a joy far deeper than the joy of having our own way. As we focus more on the beauty, perfection, and complete satisfaction that is our bridegroom, we will embrace the reality that all of us who are in this church are His bride. The very young to the very old - all are His bride. (2 Timothy 1:5)
Community: Belonging over Attending
We were never supposed to live the Christian life alone. We are to "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." At Harvest, we value each members commitment to loving and serving each other. One of the best ways to experience this is to be connected to a LifeGroup. These groups meet on Sunday mornings as well as during the week. These groups allow you to develop authentic, deep relationships that encourage you, as you are an encouragement to others. (Galatians 6:2)