Statement of Beliefs

What does SCC believe about the Bible?

We believe that the Bible (the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments) is God's written message to the world. God used human authors, with their own styles and personalities, as instruments to compose the Bible and yet kept them from asserting any error.

We believe that because the Bible speaks with God's authority, it is the basis and rule for faith and living.

(II Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; II Timothy 3:15-17)

What does SCC believe about God?

We believe that the one true God exists eternally in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Though they occupy different roles, the three Persons of the Trinity are each equally God.

We believe that in essence God is an infinite and unchangeable spirit. He created the universe out of nothing and sustains its operation. He is infinitely powerful, knowing, good, just, and loving.

(Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1; Acts 5:3-4)

What does SCC believe about Jesus?

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity. Conceived of the Holy Spirit, He received a sinless human nature and was born of the Virgin Mary. He is truly God and yet truly human.

We believe that Jesus died on the cross, paying the just penalty for the sins of humanity, and was buried. On the third day His crucified body was raised from the dead in a glorified state, never to die again. He ascended into heaven where He reigns at the Father's right hand.

We believe that Jesus will come again to earth visibly in power and great glory and will judge the living and the dead. He will establish His earthly reign and will rule in righteousness and peace for one thousand years. After this period, He will rule with the Father forever in the new, recreated heaven and earth.

(I Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 1:1-3; Hebrews 10:1-10; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 21 & 22)

What does SCC believe about sin and eternal salvation?

We believe that, because of the original sin of Adam, all of his descendants (except Jesus Christ) are sinners. Though created in the image of God, all human beings have earned eternal condemnation for their sin.

We believe that eternal life cannot be earned through sincere efforts but can only be received freely through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Believers are called to grow continually in obedience to Christ by the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.

We believe that, at death, the spirit of the believer departs the body and immediately passes into the joyful presence of Christ. Living believers await the return of Christ when they will be gloriously transformed and the bodies of departed believers will be resurrected.

We believe that the departed spirit of the unbeliever passes into a state of conscious punishment. Unbelievers will ultimately be resurrected, judged, and consigned to eternal punishment.

(Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:8-9; I Thessalonians 4:13-13; I Corinthians 15:12-58; Revelation 20:11-15)

What does SCC believe about the church?

We believe that all true Christians, living and departed, make up the universal church. A person becomes a part of the universal church when he/she becomes a believer. The worldwide mission of the church is to glorify God by making more and better disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe that a local church consists of a group of baptized believers who meet regularly under Christ-like leaders to fulfill the mission of the church. All believers are commanded by the Lord to be baptized by immersion, to participate regularly in the memorial supper commemorating Christ's death, to unite with and serve in a local church, and to use their spiritual gifts to advance the mission of the church.

(Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-13; I Timothy 3:1-7; I Corinthians 12:12-30; Acts 2:42-47)

What does SCC believe about angels, the devil, and demons?

We believe that angels are personal and powerful spirit beings created by God to carryout His purposes. Satan (the devil) is a corrupted angel that led a rebellion against God with the other corrupted angels (demons). The final destiny of the devil and his demons is eternal torment.

(Hebrews 1:14; Revelation 20:10; Colossians 1:16; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Isaiah 14:12-23)