Our
Beliefs
Paul commands we, "teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine." Titus 2:1
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Doctrine is a crucial part of the fabric of ECN.
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Doctrine teaches us who God is, who we are, and why we exist. It also protects us from false and harmful teachings.
God
God made everything and He is sovereign over his creation. He has always been alive, meaning He has no beginning and has no end. He has three different ways of being: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are all equally God and they are all the same God.
Jesus
Jesus Christ is God's Son. He is just as much God as the Father is. Jesus never did anything wrong in his human life and he gave up his life on a cross to pay for the wrong things that all people have done. He came back to life after three days to show that he has power over evil and death. He went up to Heaven and he will come back to earth one day to be the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords.
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God, just like the Father and the Son. He is working in the world to show men their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment they say yes to Jesus. He gives the Christian power to live for God, wisdom to understand God’s truth, and guidance to do what is pleasing to God. The Christian desires to follow His lead every day.
Man
God created man as a reflection of His own spirit, to share His character and love. Man is the crowning glory of God’s creation, endowed with immense potential for good. But man’s willful disobedience to God, called “sin”, tarnishes his image and separates him from God.
Salvation
God gives man the gift of salvation, not because of what man can do, but because of what He has done. Man cannot erase his sin by his own efforts or deeds. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again, can man be forgiven and saved. Eternal life is not something we wait for, but something we receive when we welcome Jesus Christ into our hearts by faith.
Eternity
God created man for eternity, to live with Him or apart from Him. Sin separates man from God, and leads to eternal torment in Hell. But God offers forgiveness and salvation through His Son, and invites man to eternal joy in Heaven. Heaven and Hell are the ultimate destinations of man’s eternal soul.
Bible
The Bible is God’s message to all people. He spoke through human writers who were guided by His Spirit. It is the ultimate authority for what Christians believe and how they live. Because it comes from God, it is pure and perfect truth.
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Church
The church of Jesus Christ is a worldwide community of baptized believers spanning generations from the very first followers of Jesus to today. The believers that make up the church have committed to share the faith and fellowship of the gospel and spread the good news to the whole world. The New Testament also describes the church as the body of Christ, which includes all who have been saved by His grace throughout history.
Baptism
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water. It is a sign of obedience that shows the believer’s trust in a Savior who died, was buried, and rose again, the believer’s death to sin and old life, and the believer’s new life in Christ Jesus. It is symbolic of the believer's relationship with Christ much like a wedding ring is a symbol of relationship through marriage. Jesus was baptized as an example for us.
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Communion
The Communion Supper that Jesus instituted is a special way of showing His life, sufferings, death, resurrection, and the hope of His coming again. The Lord’s Supper is a gift of grace in which Christ is with us by His Spirit. He invites everyone to join by trusting in Him and be refreshed in life, salvation, and in being one as the Church. By this we remember His death until He returns. Those who have faith in Christ and love for His people are welcome by Christ to take part as often as possible.
