Vital Beliefs

At Santee Christian Church we are dedicated to living in worshipful, personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We also are committed to living in fellowship with others of like faith and we place an emphasis on worshipping, fellowshipping and building a close community in small and large group gatherings. In community we want to see people mature in their relationship with Christ and use their gifts to build up His church. We desire to share the good news of Jesus with all people, and unite all Christians under the authority of the Word of God.

We Believe ...

... that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the verbally inspired word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in their original writing, infallible and fully God-breathed. (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

Why This is Important – Human creeds and systems of doctrine can be valuable, but only God’s Word is absolute truth (John 17:17). It must form the basis of our faith and practice.

... that there is one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-14; 8:58; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Why This is Important – God reveals Himself as One God in three persons. Many religions proclaim a God who is easily understood by mankind. Christianity alone presents God as ONE God forever in three PERSONS. From all eternity, the persons of the Trinity have loved one another, and by grace, the Triune God extends that love to redeem man for His glory.

... that the Son, Jesus Christ, is God’s one and only Son and the only Savior of the world. He is, in essence, the one true God as are the Father and Holy Spirit. (John 1:1-14; 3:16; 14:6; Acts 4:12)

Why This is Important – Jesus claimed that if anyone had seen Him, they had seen the Father. He proved His Divinity by His resurrection from the grave. He was the perfect sacrifice because He was fully human and could take our place. Also, by virtue of His eternal nature, He was able to satisfy the debt of eternal punishment we owe for sinning against the Eternal God.

... that Jesus became a man without ceasing to be God, suffered a substitutionary death on a cross, was buried, and on the third day was bodily resurrected and is alive forevermore. (Luke 1:26-35; Luke 2:1-7; John 20:24-29; 2 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:19-20; 1 Peter 2:24; I Peter 3:18-22)

Why This is Important – From all eternity, God has foreknown those who would believe in Him and predestined them to salvation (Romans 8:29; 1 Peter 1:2). When Jesus was on the cross, He was your substitute if you believe in Him. His resurrection proved His Divinity and that His sacrifice was effective and accepted.

... that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of guilt concerning sin, righteousness and judgment; indwells the Christian to empower them for ministry, fruitful living and overcoming temptation; and seals, gifts, comforts and helps all Christians. ( John 14:16-17; 16:8-11; Romans 8:9-14; 12:6-8; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Galatians 5:22-26)

Why This is Important – Only the Spirit can bring conviction to the human heart. Only through the power of the Spirit can we minister, bear fruit and overcome sin. The Spirit’s presence in our life is proof that we are God’s child, the seal of our inheritance in heaven, and the promise of comfort and strength and help. We personally become a temple of flesh in which God dwells so that He can transform us and show His glory through us!

... that people are saved only by grace through faith in Jesus – the only mediator between God and man – and there is nothing one can do to earn salvation. (Acts 4:10-12; 1 Timothy 2:5; Ephesians 2:4-9)

Why This is Important – Hard work is valuable in many areas of life, but there is no way for anyone to improve themselves enough to be acceptable to God. We are all guilty of sinning against an absolutely perfect God. Only His grace can save us.

... that baptism by immersion in water is a requirement of all repentant believers. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38; 8:35-38; 22:16; Romans 6:3-5)

Why This is Important – The constant and compelling pattern and teaching in Scripture leads us to believe that baptism by immersion in water is an important part of someone putting their faith in Christ. Romans 6:3-5 beautifully describes that our baptism represents us dying to our old self through Christ’s death and joining in the new life of Christ’s resurrection through the power of the Spirit.

... that Jesus Christ will come a second and final time for resurrecting the wicked and the righteous, judging the unsaved and rewarding the saved. (John 5:28-29; Acts 1:11; 17:31; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; Hebrews 9:28)

Why This is Important – The longing of every Christian is for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. When He comes again, we will be resurrected and our bodies will be transformed to be like His glorious body (Philippians 3:21). We will be personally in the presence of God forevermore, and we will glorify His name and love and learn and live in perfect communion with the awesome, Almighty Triune God (Revelation 21,22).

The imminent return of Jesus Christ also encourages us to take seriously the Commission of Jesus Christ to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20) and our role as co-ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:11-21). Those who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be destined to live all of eternity in torment, apart from true pleasure, joy and glory – for only in God can man be pleased and find His heart satisfied in worship.