We believe that only thesixty-six books of the Bible are the inspired and, therefore, inerrant Word ofGod. The Bible is the final authority for all we believe and how we are tolive. (Mt. 5:18; Jn. 10:35; 17:17; 2 Tim.3:16–17; 2 Pet. 1:20–21)

We believe that the one trueGod exists eternally in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and thatthese, being one God, are equal in deity, power, and glory. God is infinite inlove, perfect in judgments, and unchanging in righteousness and mercy. Webelieve that God not only created the world, but also now upholds, sustains,governs, and providentially directs all that exists, and that He will bring allthings to their proper consummation in Christ Jesus, to the glory of His name.(Ps. 104:1–35; 139; Mt. 10:29–31; 28:19; Acts 17:24–28; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph.1:9–12; 4:4–6; Col. 1:16–17; Heb. 1:1–3; Rev. 1:4–6)

We believe the heavenly Fatheris the source of all that exists, whether of matter or spirit. With the Son andthe Holy Spirit, He made man, male and female, in His image. By intention Herelates to people as Father, thereby forever declaring His goodwill towardthem. In love He both seeks and receives penitent sinners. (Ps. 68:5; Isa.64:8; Mt. 5:45; 7:11; Jn. 3:17; Rom. 8:15; 1 Pet. 1:17)

We believe that Jesus ofNazareth is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God; that He is God incarnate,fully God and fully man; that He was eternally preexistent with the Father andthe Holy Spirit; and that He was conceived and born of a virgin, lived asinless life, and offered Himself as a penal, substitutionary sacrifice forsinners. By His blood shed at the cross, He obtained for us eternal redemption,the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting. He was raised bodily on the thirdday and ascended to the right hand of the Father, there to make intercessionfor the saints forever. He will return to earth again to reign inrighteousness. (Mt. 1:18–25; Jn. 1:1–18; Rom. 8:34; 1 Cor. 15:1–28; 2 Cor.5:21; Gal. 3:10–14; Eph. 1:7; Phil. 2:6–11; Col. 1:15–23; Heb. 7:25; 9:13–15;10:19; 1 Pet. 2:21–25; 1 Jn. 2:1–2)

We believe that the Lord JesusChrist baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit, in whom we are also sealed forthe day of redemption. The Holy Spirit regenerates, forever indwells, andgraciously equips the Christian for godly living and service. Subsequent toconversion, the Spirit desires to fill, empower, and anoint believers forministry and witness. We also believe that signs and wonders, as well as allthe gifts of the Spirit described in the New Testament, are operative today andare designed to testify to the presence of the kingdom and to empower and edifythe Church to fulfill its calling and mission. (Mt. 3:11; Jn. 1:12–13; 3:1–15;Acts 4:29–30; Rom. 8:9; 12:3–8; 1 Cor. 12:12–13; 2 Cor. 1:21–22; Gal. 3:1–5;Eph. 1:13–14; 5:18)

We believe that salvation isby grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. No ordinance, ritual,work or any other activity on the part of man is required or accepted for hissalvation. This saving grace of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, alsosanctifies us by enabling us to do what is pleasing in God’s sight, that wemight be progressively conformed to the image of Christ. (Jn. 1:12–13; 6:37–44;10:25–30; Acts 16:30–31; Rom. 3:1–4:23; 8:1–17, 31–39; 10:8–10; Eph. 2:8–10;Phil. 2:12–13; Titus 3:3–7; 1 Jn. 1:7, 9)

We believe that Satan,originally a great and good angel, rebelled against God, taking a multitude ofangels with him. He was cast out of God’s presence and is at work with hisdemonic hosts to establish his counter-kingdom of darkness, evil, and unrest onearth. Satan was judged and defeated at the cross of Christ and will be castforever into the lake of fire which has been prepared for him and his angels.(Isa. 14:10–17; Ezek. 28:11–19; Mt. 12:25–29; 25:41; Jn. 12:31; 16:11; Eph.6:10–20; Col. 2:15; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6; Rev. 12:7–9; 20:10)

We believe that humanity, maleand female, was originally created in the image of God, righteous and withoutsin. As a consequence of disobedience, all persons are sinners by both natureand choice, and are, therefore, spiritually dead and justly condemned aschildren of wrath in the sight of God, wholly unable to save themselves. (Gen.1:1–3:22; Ps. 51:5; Isa. 53:5; Rom. 3:9–18; 5:12–21; Eph. 2:1–3)

We believe that the Church isGod’s primary instrument, through which He is fulfilling His redemptivepurposes in the earth. To equip the saints for the work of ministry, God hasgiven the Church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Wealso affirm the priesthood of all believers and the importance of everyChristian being joined with and actively involved in a local community of thesaints. We believe that women, no less than men, are called and gifted toproclaim the gospel and do all the works of the kingdom. (Mt. 16:17–19; Acts2:17–18, 42; Eph. 3:14–21; 4:11–16; 1 Tim. 2:11–15; Heb. 10:23–25; 1 Pet.2:4–5, 9–10)

We believe that water baptismand the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances of the Church, to be observeduntil the time of Christ’s return. They are not a means of salvation, but arechannels of God’s sanctifying grace and blessing to the faithful in ChristJesus. (Mt. 26:26–29; 28:19; Rom. 6:3–11; 1 Cor. 11:23–34; 1 Pet. 3:21)

We believe that God has calledthe Church to work together in unity and honor in preaching the gospel to allnations, in making disciples, and in remembering the poor and ministering totheir needs through sacrificial giving and practical service. This ministry isan expression of the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ and is an essential part ofthe kingdom of God. (Isa. 58:6–12; 61:1; Mt. 5:1–7:28; 28:18–20; Lk. 4:18;21:1–4; Gal. 2:10; 1 Tim. 6:8)

We believe that whenChristians die, they pass immediately into the blessed presence of Christ,there to enjoy conscious fellowship with the Savior until the day of theresurrection and the glorious transformation of their bodies. The saved willreceive eternal rewards and forever dwell in blissful fellowship with theirgreat triune God. We also believe that when unbelievers die, they are consignedto hell, there to await the Day of Judgment when they shall be punished in thelake of fire with eternal, conscious, and tormented separation from thepresence of God. (Dan. 12:2; Mt. 25:46; Lk. 16:19–31; Jn. 5:25–29; 1 Cor.15:35–58; 2 Cor. 5:1–10; Phil. 1:19–26, 3:20–21; 2 Thes. 1:5–10; Rev. 20:11–15;21:1–22:15)

God has ordained marriage anddefined it as the covenant relationship between a man, a woman, and Himself;therefore, Encounter Church will only recognizemarriages between a biological man and a biological woman as defined at thetime of their birth.  Further, thePastors/Ministers/Clergy and staff of Encounter Church will only officiate in weddings and solemnize marriages between one biologicalman and one biological woman. Finally, the facilities and property of EncounterChurch, whether rented or owned, will only host weddings between one biologicalman and one biological woman.However, we strongly opposevictimization or violence against any sector of society that disagrees with thebiblical view. We honor the dignity and rights of all who differ from us.

(Historic premillennialismwith a victorious Church)

We believe in the literalsecond coming of Christ at the end of this age, when He will return to earthpersonally and visibly to reign over the nations in His millennial kingdom. Webelieve that the Church will go through the Great Tribulation with great powerand victory and will only be raptured at the end of the Great Tribulation. Noone can know with certainty the timing of the Lord’s return. We also believe inand are praying for a great end-time harvest of souls and the emergence of avictorious Church that will experience unprecedented unity, purity, and powerin the Holy Spirit. (Ps. 2:7–9, 22:27–28; Mt. 24:36; Jn. 14:12; 17:20–26; Rom.11:25–32; 1 Cor. 15:20–28, 50–58; Eph. 4:11–16; Phil. 3:20–21; 1 Thes.4:13–5:11; 2 Thes. 1:3–12; Rev. 7:9–14)

We believe that God is theCreator of all life. (see Genesis 1:27) Human life is a precious gift from God, sacred and to be protected fromthe moment of conception.  We believethat all human life is sacred and created by God in His image.  Human life is of endless worth in all it’sdimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentallychallenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through naturaldeath.  We are therefore called todefend, protect, and value all human life. (see Psalm 139:13-16; 51:5; Jeremiah 1:5; Isaiah 44:2, 24; and Luke1:41, 2:12)  We also believe the Churchis called to promote the stewardship of life and be actively compassionate insharing the forgiveness and healing offered in Jesus Christ.  (see 1 John 1:9; Psalm 103:12; and Matthew5:7)