The Evangelical Friends Church does not advance new teachings or doctrines. Instead, we seek to rediscover New Testament teachings and apply these age-old truths to our lives. As Friends, we believe:
We believe there is one living and true God who, in essence, while eternally existing, is three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all having the same nature, attributes, and perfections.
(Matthew 28:18-19; Mark 12:29; John 1:14; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 2:13, 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
God the Father is the creator of the universe and is a personal God who desires a relationship with all people. He is a supernatural being who has always existed. He is the ruler of all creation who also hears and answers prayer. He is perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love.
(Genesis 1:1; Psalm 89:26; Isaiah 9:6; John 6:27, 45-46; I Corinthians 8:6; II Corinthians 1:3; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 5:20; Matthew 28:18-19; Mark 12:29; John 1:14; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 2:13, 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son. We believe in His conception by the Holy Spirit, virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, teachings, and that He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He rose from the dead on the third day to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven and will return again to earth to reign as Lord and King.
(Ephesians 4:1-8; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; I John 5:20; Isaiah 53:3-12)
The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people 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.
(John 14:16-17, 26, 15:26, 16:7-14; Galatians 5:18, 22-25; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 6:19-20)
The Bible is God’s Word to all people, written by human authors through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the foundational source of truth and authority for all Christian beliefs and living. God inspires it without error.
(John 17:17; II Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 30:5)
The true Church is composed of all people who trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Believers are united together in the “Body of Christ,” of which Jesus is the head. Friends Church is a group of believers who have organized themselves for doing the work of God’s ministry. Our church is responsible to provide opportunities for fellowship, growth, teaching, and serving by using one’s spiritual gifts as given by the Holy Spirit.
(Romans 12:5; I Corinthians 12:12-28; Ephesians 3:6, 4:11-16, 5:23)
(Matthew 28:18-19; Mark 12:29; John 1:14; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 2:13, 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
At the moment we become Christians we are baptized into the Body of Christ, and this spiritual baptism is completely sufficient for the believer.
(Mark 1:8; Ephesians 4:4-6; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:11-12; Luke 3:16; I Peter 3:21)
The physical act of water baptism by immersion after accepting Christ as personal Lord and Savior is not needed for salvation or spiritual standing, but is a person’s testimony of death to sin, and resurrection to a new life in Christ.
(Acts 2:28, 8:12, 16, 36-39, 10:47; Matthew 28:16-20)
Our relationship to God as believers provides us with the privilege of moment-by-moment communion with God. It is this silent communion of our spirit with the Spirit of God that is essential to our continued walk with Him.
(John 6:33, 48, 51, 14:16; Romans 8:11; Ephesians 3:14-17a; II Corinthians 13:5; Revelations 3:20)
The “Lord’s Supper” is a time of remembering the death of the Lord Jesus Christ and for examining one’s life. The taking of the elements does not result in spiritual benefit, but provides the believer with a physical method of remembrance in a scripturally approved manner.
(I Corinthians 11:23-28, 10:16-17; Luke 22:17-20)