Our Just Church Beliefs

GOD

We believe there is one God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit (3 in 1).  God is Creator of the Universe, gracious and sovereign over the heavenly and physical realms, Almighty and loving Protector & Preserver of all things seen and unseen. He is infinite in power, wisdom, justice, goodness, and love.   God desires all people to come back to Him and is alone sufficient for the well-being and salvation of everyone who accepts Him, to the glory of His Name.

JESUS CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate (in the flesh) and is the one and only Son of God.  He was conceived through the Holy Spirit and was born of the virgin Mary.  We believe that Jesus is the Messiah, “God with us” – fully God and fully man. 

HOLY SPIRIT

We believe the Holy Spirit is the essence of God which lives within each one of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives and Savior of our souls.  It is only when we humbly accept Jesus’s sacrifice as needed and victorious that God’s Spirit dwells within us and resurrects us from death to life, forgiving and washing away our sins.  The Holy Spirit heals, comforts, sustains, gifts and empowers believers and leads us on paths to wellness, wholeness and righteousness.  This journey is lifelong and complete when we pass into heaven at our physical deaths. 

The Resurrection, Great Commission & Return

We believe that Jesus Christ lived among humans and taught us the way, the truth and the light.  At the appointed time Jesus suffered and died on the cross as a ransom for each one of us.  He was buried, and in 3 days was Resurrected from the dead in his Eternal body. After 40 Days, Jesus gave us the Great Commission and ascended into heaven to be with God the Father forever.  He shall return again to gather all believers (those alive or dead) into the presence of God and eternal life where the Kingdom of Heaven will have no end.

Pentecost and The Church

In Acts Chapter 1 & 2 we see that Jesus promises his disciples that “in a few days you will be Baptized by the Holy Spirit” and that they “will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” Immediately Jesus was taken up to Heaven.  10 days later at Pentecost, the disciples were together and the Holy Spirit filled each one of them.  This indwelling empowered them to speak in tongues, boldly bear witness for Jesus and perform many wonders and miracles as gifted by the Spirit.   When others saw this they asked “what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”  3000 did.  The Church was born this day!

THE BIBLE

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, living and breathing to guide and lead us through life by revealing new depths when our spirit and mind is ready.  We believe other written and/or spoken translations, manuscripts, sermons, commentaries and interpretation are valuable to be thoughtful and prayerfully discerned, discussed and tested.  Everything we need is contained in the Bible and nothing should be added or subtracted by humanity as that would dilute and perhaps distort the love story contained within.

Sin

We believe God created everything in a perfect order and nature and anything that is not right in the sight of God and of His best is considered sin.  Because we are human we are all sinners and in need of the Savior to heal, forgive and continually minister us through the Holy Spirit into the best version of us. 

Free Will

We acknowledge, respect, and submit to the perfect sovereignty of God.  We also believe because He loves us so much, God has given the gift of free will.  While we seek God’s guidance and direction for our lives, God does not determine our actions.  We are free to make our own decisions, are responsible for our actions and subject to the consequences of our actions, words & choices or lack of them.  This free will includes the ability to accept or reject Jesus as Lord of our lives and Savior of our souls.

Salvation by faith alone

Everyone needs Jesus and we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. The first step in our faith journey is to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  No amount of good works or thoughts can provide eternity with God in Heaven.  Only acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and the subsequent indwelling of the Holy Spirit allows us to be resurrected as Jesus was on the very first Easter Morning.

Discipleship and Sanctification

Following the first step of salvation, we begin a lifelong process of discipleship and sanctification as we heal, grow and transform more and more into the image of Christ.  We believe in discipleship through the study of God’s word, the Bible and learn how to apply it to our lives through lifegroups, study groups, mentoring partnerships and teachings/sermons.   Sanctification happens as we heal, offer and receive forgiveness, are transformed by the renewing of our minds, make amends and turning away from bad habits, hurts and hang-ups. The result is Spirit inspired increased capacity, loving intent and empowered ability to fulfill God’s calling and purpose for your life.

Good Works, Calling and Purpose

Having accepted Christ, we will be empowered and led by the Holy Spirit to perform good works as we are gifted to.  Good works are not a means to salvation but a response to God’s love and goodness.   God has a calling and purpose for everyone who is indwelled with His Holy Spirit.  Discovering and fulfilling your calling is the greatest journey and adventure to go on!  This is best achieved with your Church Family and trusted Christ-led advisors.  

BAPTISM

Baptism is the visible and outward sign of an inner transformation from death in our sins to life in Christ.  It is a step of faith that acknowledges that we are sinners and powerless to change on our own, that we are willing to admit, repent for and make amends for our sins against God and others and embrace the new life God has for us.  Baptism honors the triune nature of God and recognizes that, though we are not worthy, God’s spirit now fuses with our spirit to save us for eternity- reborn in this realm and resurrected in the next forever. 

COMMUNION

At Just Church, we have an open communion table.  You don’t have to attend Just Church or any other church to receive communion, all are welcome.  You just need to be one who loves Jesus and receives His sacrifice for the forgiveness of your sins.  

Marriage

Marriage is a covenant between a husband and wife before God, their friends and family to leave their fathers’ and mothers’ homes and become united as one flesh to build their own home with God at the center.  When Jesus was asked about divorce he said: “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’[a] 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’[b]? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Prayer & Meditation

Prayer is how we talk in our connection with God. Prayer is simply a personal conversation in our most intimate relationship with God. In prayer the depths of your spirit are in communion with the Holy Spirit of God. Out of our humble petitions, confessions, praises and thanksgivings may come instruction, guidance, freedom, peace, joy, calling and more!   When we are praying together, often someone will lead a prayer for the people to hear and repeat the words in prayer to congregationally exalt God, magnifying our petitions, strengthen our church, ask for protection against the enemy, lift up others concerns, and seeking wisdom and guidance.  Christian meditation is a form of prayer in which we get in touch with the Holy Spirit and deliberately reflect upon scripture, circumstances or experiences to receive understanding and revelations from God.

Worship

At Just Church, we gather together every week on Sunday Morning and on holy days (Christmas Eve, Good Friday etc) to honor, worship and bring glory to God thru music, message, prayer, offering and connection.  When we come together as we are (all should wear their normal socially acceptable attire-no nudity obviously) into a space to worship God that place becomes Holy Ground where Jesus meets us to be the Church.  Jesus declared human beings as the only place God lives on Earth and told us that “when 2 or 3 are gathered in my Name there I will be also.”  Our gatherings usually include connection time before and after the approximate hour-long service is conducted.  All are welcome to attend and our hope is that all who enter will encounter God, experience peace & joy and leave feeling loved, valued and refreshed. 

Giving

We believe that God provides for our every need in the way He has made us in love to be able to earn, save and share all we can.  We are thankful to Him and believe that our consistent and proportionate giving back of these blessing will provide ministry and charity to others generously!  Because we offer God back our resources of time, talents, money and energy He is able to do amazing things in and for our community and world.  At Just Church, we are excited at the awesome ways God is using our tithes and offerings to reach, help, and serve others in the name of Christ.  “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7