What we Believe

Equip Disciples stands squarely in the orthodox, biblical, evangelical tradition.

We derive our understanding of God and of his creation from Scripture. The statements that follow are merely intended to summarize key teachings of Scripture, and in no way substitute for or supplement Scripture.

Based upon God’s revelation to us in the Bible, we believe:

God

There is one true God, creator and sustainer of heaven and earth, who has revealed himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, having distinct personal attributes, yet one in nature. God is holy and separate from us, and at the same time loving and pursuing a personal relationship with us. God is spirit and requires spiritual worship, and he is truth, requiring careful pursuit of truth in worship.

Revelation

God has revealed himself through his creation, has explicitly spoken to us through holy Scripture, and has supremely revealed himself to us in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Scripture stands as the accurate record of God’s work in creation and of Jesus’ work and ministry, and is the sole objective standard by which we are to measure interpretation in all matters of faith and practice.

Kingdom

God is ultimately king over all, and in the end, every created being will acknowledge his Kingship (Kingdom). In the mean time, Satan and a fallen angels have rebelled against God and claim to be gods and hold kingship in this world. All people, who have inherited the sinful, fallen nature of Adam, are born subject to his rebellious kingdom. Yet faithful angels remain under God’s Kingship, and redeemed people also enter into his Kingdom to honor him and obey his will.

Work of Christ

Our Lord Jesus Christ has always existed as the Word, who is God and was engaged in creation together with the Father. He entered into history as a man, born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, performed miraculous signs, and preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. He suffered bodily for our sins and died in our place, and rose again bodily to give us life. He is seated in heaven at the Father’s right hand and serves as our mediator and advocate. He will return again to judge the living and the dead.

Church

The Church is the assembly of all true believers. These believers are born again by the regenerative washing of the Holy Spirit, who immerses them with his presence and indwells them. This baptism in the Holy Spirit incorporates every new believer into the living Body of Christ. The Spirit empowers the believer to live a transformed, sanctified life and gives them spiritual understanding of God’s truth. The Spirit also imbues each believer with manifestations of grace, also called grace-gifts or spiritual gifts. These grace-gifts are intended to build up the Body of Christ and to bless others through the work of ministry.

Salvation

Salvation is the free gift of God, which cannot be earned. Salvation is needed because every person has sinned and is destined for eternal separation from God in hell. Salvation is based on faith in the all-sufficient atonement wrought by the blood of Christ. Salvation consists of three aspects: it starts with justification--the point at which one is put right with God and freed from the penalty of sin; it continues with sanctification--the living-out of a holy lifestyle freed from the power of sin; and it arrives at glorification--the fulfillment of freedom from the presence of sin in heaven. To be saved, one must acknowledge they are a sinner and turn away from their sin in repentance. True faith confesses Jesus as Lord in the same movement that it believes God raised Jesus from the dead, and God saves just such a believer. At this point of justification, one is born again into God's Kingdom of light. This new life in God's Kingship means a change of lifestyle that demonstrating he is Lord by living an abundant, sanctified life. Ultimately, the believer has the hope of a glorified, eternal future, living in God’s presence.