Our Beliefs

We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, given to us through God’s work in the lives of its writers (2 Timothy 3:16). It is authoritative, relevant, and powerful for all people at all times (Hebrews 4:12). It is fully trustworthy and serves as the first and final authority in every matter of what we believe and how we live. God’s Word is alive and active as it faithfully instructs, corrects, rebukes, and equips us so we can live fruitful lives that glorify Him (Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 40:8).

We believe in one eternal God, who has revealed Himself to exist in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—without any compromise to His unity (Matthew 28:19). The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-equal and co-eternal, each fully sharing the same divine nature. God is holy, just, and full of love and mercy (1 John 4:8). He is the creator and sustainer of all things, the source of all light and life (Genesis 1:1; John 1:3). He has spoken through the prophets and ultimately revealed Himself in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2).

We believe God created humanity, male and female, in His image, uniquely reflecting His nature and glory (Genesis 1:27). God made us for an intimate relationship with Him and for meaningful relationships with one another. Every person bears the inherent dignity and value of being made in God’s image (Psalm 8:4-5). As stewards of creation, human beings were entrusted with the responsibility of caring for the world, populating it, and managing its resources (Genesis 2:15). Through disobedience, humanity rejected God’s good rule, and as a result, we are justly judged by God, experiencing the devastating consequences of sin in our humanity, including death, and the disastrous brokenness of creation (Romans 5:12; 8:20-22).

We believe God the Father, in His great love and mercy, enacted a plan of salvation through the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as revealed in the Scriptures and fulfilled in Jesus Christ—God the Son in human flesh: fully God and fully human (John 1:14). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus took the penalty for our sins, offering Himself as the perfect substitutionary, atoning sacrifice (1 Peter 2:24). By His death on the cross, He fulfilled the Old Testament Law and reconciled all things to God (Colossians 1:20). Through His physical resurrection from the grave, He defeated death and secured eternal life for all who will trust in Him for salvation (Romans 6:9). Jesus ascended bodily to the Father and now reigns at the right hand of the Father and will return to judge the living and the dead, renewing all things in the New Creation (Acts 1:9-11).

We believe that God’s gracious gift of salvation is received only through faith in Jesus Christ: trusting in His life, death, resurrection, and ascension as the means by which we are forgiven of our sins and reconciled to God (Ephesians 2:8-9). There is no other way to be saved or restored to a right relationship with God apart from faith in Jesus (John 14:6). Salvation is not earned by our works but is given by God, justly and eternally, according to Scripture, to all who believe in Jesus, thus forever securing, justifying, and redeeming His children (Romans 3:24-25).

We believe the Holy Spirit is God, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son (2 Corinthians 3:17). The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin and brings eternal life to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ (John 16:8). He indwells believers, sanctifying and empowering them for service. In accordance with His Word, the Spirit imparts spiritual gifts, develops godly character, guides in truth, and leads us away from error (John 16:13). By His power, we are equipped to live holy lives, participate in God’s mission, witness His supernatural works, including healing, miracles, and speaking in tongues, as well as attest to the other signs of His presence (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). He brings individuals to new life, joining each one to the body of Christ, the universal Church, and He unites the local and the global church in the Spirit’s power to God’s glory (Ephesians 4:4-6).

We believe that the Church is the body of Christ and the family of God, a local expression of the global and eternal community of all who trust in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). Belonging to a local church, as an expression of the universal Church, is essential for every believer (Hebrews 10:24-25). Each church community is called to worship God, grow in faith, and make Jesus Christ known. Every believer is a vital part of this body, united to Him and one another by the Holy Spirit, and equipped to love, serve, and grow toward maturity in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:15-16). As we gather regularly for worship, faithful teaching of Scripture, fellowship, and prayer, we are sent out to demonstrate God’s love and power through acts of service, justice, and compassion (Matthew 28:18-20).

We believe in the personal, visible, and bodily return of Jesus Christ, who will come again to complete God’s redemptive plan. At His return, He will judge the living and the dead, and all people will be resurrected and to face judgement (John 5:28-29, Hebrews 9:27). Those who have trusted in Jesus Christ will enter eternal life with Him in the New Creation, free from sin, suffering, and death (Revelation 21:1-5). Those who reject Him will face eternal separation from God (Matthew 25:46). At His return the New Creation will be established, the faithful will be comforted and vindicated, and He will be the ultimate victor over evil, His judgment over sin and righteousness will be final, just, and eternal (Revelation 20:10-15) when death, sin and the devil will be no more.

Eastgate is a Baptist church which means two distinct features are a regular part of our gatherings for worship.

Baptism

The New Testament demonstrates that baptism by full immersion is for all who trust in Jesus Christ for salvation (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38). Baptism is undertaken after conversion as an act of loving obedience to Jesus Christ, publicly declaring the believer’s union with Jesus Christ in His death, resurrection, and eternal life (Romans 6:3-4). For those converted in childhood, baptism is undertaken once they personally understand its significance (Romans 10:9-10, Acts 8:36-37).

Communion

The celebration of the Lord’s Supper is a regular and essential part of our worship, observed at least once a month unless circumstances prevent it. This remembrance of the Lord’s death, resurrection, and promised return is open to all who know Jesus Christ through faith (1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:42).