God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe.
He eternally exists in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
These are co-equal and are one God.
(Gen 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matt 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Cor 13:14).
Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
He is co-equal with the Father.
Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross.
He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death.
He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
(Matt 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; Jn 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Heb 4:14, 15; 1 Cor 15:3-4; Rom 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Tim 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God.
He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ.
He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation.
He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.
He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved.
As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
(2 Cor 3:17; Jn 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Eph 1:13; 5:18; Gal 6:25)
The Bible is God’s Word to us.
It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.
It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.
Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
(2 Tim 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Tim 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5)
People are made in the spiritual image of God to be like Him in character.
People are the supreme object of God’s creation. All of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.”
This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
(Gen 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Rom 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2)
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it.
We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty.
When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his or her life by faith.
(Rom 6:23; Eph 2:8-9; Jn 14:6; 1:12; Titus 3:5; Gal 3:26; Rom 5:1).
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity.
If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” your salvation.
Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God not by the self-effort of the Christian.
It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
(Jn 10:29; 2 Tim 1:12; Heb 7:25; 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
People were created to exist forever.
We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin in Hell or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation in Heaven.
To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life.
Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
(Jn 3:16; 2:25; 5:11-13; Rom 6:23; Rev 20:15; Matt 1:8; 2:44-45).
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, children who are orphaned, those who experience physical or mental challenges, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death.
We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life.
(Psalm 139)
We believe that God created humanity male and female, and that biological sex is an essential part of human identity. Out of this design, God established marriage as a one-flesh covenant union between two sexually different persons (male and female) from different families. This covenant is intended to be lifelong, and all sexual relationships outside of it are sin.
God has given his people two best ways to enjoy connection in family: celibate singleness for the sake of kingdom work with undivided attention, or lifelong marriage between one woman and one man.
Biological sex is an essential part of human identity.
At the same time, because all people—whether they walk faithfully in God’s design or struggle against it —are still made in His image, we must hold these truths with both conviction and compassion. Any abuse, slander, dehumanization, or oppression of others is a sin against God whose image they bear.”
(Genesis 2:18-25; 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4; Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 1:26-27; Matthew 19:3-5).
These statements of belief do not exhaust the extent of our beliefs.
The Bible, as the inspired and infallible Word of God, which speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For Eastside’s belief, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our elder team is Eastside’s final interpretive authority on the meaning and application of the Bible.
God speaks to us through the Bible, and we recognize His Word as the final authority for our lives and ministry.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
People matter to God; so we engage individuals where they are and share with them the good news about Christ.
Mark 10: 24 (NIV)
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Starting with our families, through leadership and discipleship, we provide a nurturing and safe environment for preparing the next generation to share the Gospel and lead.
2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT)
“You have heard me teach many things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses.
Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others.”
(2 Timothy 1:5)
God has given each believer gifts and it is our responsibility to invest these gifts in helping others to be fully devoted followers of Christ.
1 Peter 4:10(NLT)
“God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts.
Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you.” (Ephesians 4:11-12; Romans 12:6-8)
Encouragement, Sharing, praying for one another, and spiritual next steps happen best with an authentic community of relationally-connected believers, where the Holy Spirit is allowed to work.
Acts 2:46-47 (NIV)
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.
They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.
And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
The church should use the current culture as a means to communicate the timeless principles of God’s Word.
1 Corinthians 9:20-23 (NLT)
“When I am with the Jews, I become one of them so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with those who follow the Jewish laws, I do the same, even though I am not subject to the law, so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jewish law, I fit in with them as much as I can.
In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ. But I do not discard the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings.”
The reach of the Gospel is deeper and wider by strategically leveraging non-traditional approaches to ministry and by continuous improvement of these unique approaches.
Proverbs 18:15 (NLT)
“Intelligent people are always open to new ideas. In fact, they look for them.” (Genesis 1:1)
God’s desire for every believer is to pursue an All-In Life with Jesus Christ.
All-In is evident by the way the believer uses their time, talent, treasure, and plans for the glory of God.
Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT)
“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’”