We believe that all the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in their original writings. The Bible contains all the words of God that we need in order to completely know and trust Him; and is the final authority and standard for faith and practice – sufficient for counsel in every issue of life. (Psalm 119:97-104; Psalm 119:160; Matthew 4:4; Matthew 5:18, 5:46-47; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 3:15-16; Hebrews 4:12)
We believe 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. (John 1:1-3; John 17:3; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 3:22)
We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (John 14:12-14)
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31, 35), His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; I Peter 2:22), His miracles and teachings (Acts 2:22; 10:38), His substitutionary, atoning death (I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21), bodily resurrection and ascension into heaven (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; I Corinthians 15:4); perpetual intercession for His people (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:25-26), and personal, visible return to earth (Acts 1:9-11). We believe that He is one and the same as God. He was fully human and fully God. (John 1:1-14)
We believe the Holy Spirit was sent to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower in ministry all who believe in Christ. We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher, and Guide. We believe that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit and power for service, either at the time of, or subsequent to, regeneration, which is a separate work from the indwelling Spirit for salvation. (John 14:26; John 16:13-15)
We believe in the present day ministry of the Holy Spirit, the baptism with the Holy Spirit, and in the exercise of all biblical gifts of the Spirit as reflected through the fruit of that same Spirit, in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son. (Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6; Galatians 5:22-23; I Corinthians 12 and 14)
We believe all people are by nature separated from God and responsible for their own sin, but that salvation, redemption, and forgiveness are freely offered to all by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. When a person repents of sin and accepts Jesus Christ as his/her personal Lord and Savior, trusting Him to save, that person is immediately born again – his/her sins are forgiven, and that person becomes a child of God, destined to spend eternity with the Lord. (Mark 16:16; Acts 4:12; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:1-9; Romans 6:22-23; Romans 10:9-10)
Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life. (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; II Corinthians 5:17; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7)
Jesus established His church in Matthew 16:18, gave His followers who became the first church a “great commission” in Matthew 28:19-20, and empowered His church in Acts 2:4.
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ committed two ordinances to the Church:
Summit Springs Church is committed to the Biblical example of local church elders to provide leadership committed to integrity and accountability, and give oversight for the various functions of the church including establishing doctrine and church policies, and assist in pastoral oversight of the congregation. (I Timothy 3:1-16; Titus 1:5-9)
We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and lost – the saved to eternal life in heaven (Matthew 25:34; John 14:2; II Corinthians 5:1; Revelation 2:7), and the lost to eternal torment in hell in conscious separation from God (Matthew 8:11; 10:28; 13:49-50; Mark 9:47-48; Luke 12:5; Revelation 21:8).
We believe in the rapture of the church and the pre-millennial return of the Lord Jesus Christ, the “blessed hope” – the Second Coming of Christ with His saints to rule the earth, which will be personal and visible. (Isaiah 11:6-9; Matthew 24; Acts 1:9-11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 1:7; 19:11-14; 20:1-6)
Societies and cultures change their values, but God’s Word does not change. Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.” Therefore, Summit Springs Church believes God’s Word has the answer to every life issue because God is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 18:8)