Who We Are
Sierra Vista Community Church is a life-giving, multicultural, multi-generational church where people of all races, backgrounds and walks of life come together to develop and strengthen their relationship with God and others; to be inspired in their worship; challenged from the teaching of God’s Word and empowered to live out His purpose and will for their lives.
What We Believe
ESSENTIAL BELIEFS – WE HAVE UNITY
Our essential beliefs are our convictions, Bible- based beliefs that we’re willing to die for. For example we believe in our salvation, Jesus’ virgin birth, heaven and hell. “There is one Body and one Spirit…there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all…” (Ephesians 4:4-6).
NONESSENTIAL BELIEFS – WE HAVE LIBERTY
These are preferences that may not be scripture, and may be based on culture, age, religious background. For example, we prefer our own beliefs about music style, attire, time of worship, only one service per week. “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters…Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls…So then each of us will give an account of himself to God…So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.”(Romans 14:14 , Romans 14:12 , Romans 14:22 ).
ALL OUR BELIEFS – WE DEMONSTRATE LOVE
Charity is the love we share for one another, such that we love each other in spite of, or because of our differences. “…If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains-but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” (1 Corinthians 13:2) [PH].
ABOUT GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. There is one and only one living and true God. The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us with three distinct persons; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each works in harmony with the others without any division of nature, essence, or being. (Genesis 1:1 , Genesis 1:26-27 , Genesis 3:22 ; Psalm 90:2 ; Matthew 28:19 ; 1 Peter 1:2 , 2 Corinthians 13:14).
ABOUT GOD THE FATHER
God the Father is the Source of all that exists, whether of matter or spirit. With the Son and the Holy Spirit, He made man, male and female, in His image. By intention He relates to people as Father, thereby forever declaring His goodwill toward them. In love, He both seeks and receives penitent sinners. (Psalm 68:5 , Isaiah 63:16 , 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 , Ephesians 1:3 , Ephesians 4:6 , James 1:17 , 1 John 4:14)
ABOUT GOD THE SON
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 1:22-23 ; Isaiah 9:6 ; John 1:1-5 , John 1:10-30 ;Hebrews 4:14-15 ; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 ; Romans 1:3-4 ; Acts 1:9-11 ; 2 Timothy 6:14-15 ; Titus 2:13).
ABOUT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual gifts for use in ministry/service. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily and to live a Spirit-filled life. (2 Corinthians 3:17 ; John 16:7-13 , John 14:16-17 ; Acts 1:8 ; 1 Corinthians 2:12 , 1 Corinthians 3:16 ; Ephesians 1:13 , Ephesians 5:18 ; Galatians 5:25).
ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it’s the truth without any mixture of error. (2 Timothy 3:16 ; 2 Peter 1:20-21 ; 2 Timothy 1:13 ; Psalm 119:105 , Psalm 119:160 , Psalm 12:6 ; Proverbs 30:5).
ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. (Genesis 1:27 ; Psalm 8:3-6 ; Isaiah 53:6 , Isaiah 59:1-2 ; Romans 3:23).
ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ in his life by faith. (Romans 6:23 , Romans 5:1 ; Ephesians 2:8-9 ; John 14:6 ; Titus 3:5 ; Galatians 3:26 ; Romans 5:1).
ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. (John 10:29 ; 2 Timothy 1:12 ; Hebrews 7:25 , Hebrews 10:10 , Hebrews 10:14 ; 1 Peter 1:3-5 ; 1 John 5:13).
ABOUT ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16 , John 14:17 ; Romans 8:17-18 ; Revelation 10:15 ; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9).