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SouthSide Fellowship Abiding in Christ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5 KJV Background Image (c) FreeFoto.com

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Statement of Faith

WE BELIEVE that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; that this triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all.

WE BELIEVE in GOD THE FATHER, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

WE BELIEVE in JESUS CHRIST, that He is God the Son (Mark 1:1), God's only begotten Son (John 3:16), conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20); born and lived as a man; that Jesus died on the cross in fulfillment of prophecy to atone for the sin of the world (Isaiah 53:4-5, 1 Peter 2:24). He is the only Lamb of God through whom we obtain forgiveness of our sin; apart from Him there is no other way to the Father (John 14:6). We believe in His virgin birth (Luke 1:26-31), His Deity and humanity , sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21), miracles and teachings, substitutionary death on the cross and resurrection from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 5:6-11), ascension into heaven (Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51), perpetual intercession for His people (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25), and His visible return to earth (Revelation 1:7, Luke 21:27).

WE BELIEVE in the HOLY SPIRIT, Who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-8), and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ (John 14:16-17); we believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher and Guide (John 16:13-14). We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the scriptural exercise of all the Biblical gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).

WE BELIEVE that the SCRIPTURES of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired without error in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21).

WE BELIEVE that all are sinners (Romans 3:23) by nature (Romans 5:12) and choice (James 1:13-15) and, therefore, under condemnation (John 3:18), that God regenerates by the Holy Spirit, those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord (Acts 3:19, Romans 10:9); that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13) and empowers for service (Acts 1:8, Luke 24:49), often subsequent to regeneration.

WE BELIEVE in the universal CHURCH, the living spiritual body of which Christ is the Head (Ephesians 1:22-23, Colossians 1:18) and all regenerated persons are members. He gave Himself for His church…His bride

WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ committed two ORDINANCES to the Church: 1) baptism (Matthew 28:19)* and, 2) the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:26). We believe in baptism by immersion (Mathew 3:16) and communion open to all believers (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).
* We do not believe in baptismal regeneration. The clear teaching in the light of Scripture is that we are saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

WE BELIEVE also in the LAYING ON OF HANDS for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, for ordination of pastors, elders and deacons, and for receiving gifts of the Spirit and healing (Acts 6:5-6, Acts 13:2-3, 2 Timothy 1:6).

WE BELIEVE in the personal, visible (second) RETURN OF CHRIST to earth (Acts 1:11, Zechariah 14:4) and the establishment of His Kingdom (Revelation 19:11-16); in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment (Jude 15) and eternal blessing of the righteous and endless suffering of the wicked (Revelation 20:11-15).

WE BELIEVE that there will be a time of great tribulation known as "Jacob's trouble," (Jeremiah 30:7) in which God will deal directly again with the nation Israel and before which time the church will be raptured (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:52). We recognize the variety of opinions that exist within the Body of Christ concerning the timing of the rapture and prefer to let His Agape (love) prevail whenever we "see through a glass darkly." (1 Corinthians 13:12)