White Pine Community Church is an independent, non-denominational church, but we are united with all other evangelical churches in our core beliefs. Here are some of the convictions that guide us:
The Bible is the inspired Word of God and is truth without any mixture of error. It was written by human authors who were guided by the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.
God is creator and ruler of the universe. He is one God in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God is infinite and personal, holy and loving, forgiving and just, eternal and without equal. He is our heavenly Father, infinitely perfect and acquainted with all our ways.
Human beings are created by God in His image. Every person matters to God. Although mankind has a tremendous potential for good, we are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes them to miss God’s plan for their lives.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God and is equal with the Father. Jesus has always existed, yet He came to earth to live as a human. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born to the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead after three days. While He lived on earth, Jesus was fully God and fully human. His resurrection demonstrates God’s power over sin and death. Jesus is in heaven and will return again to reign as King.
Salvation is a gift of God to humanity. We can never make up for all our sin by good works or self-improvement. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s provider of forgiveness can we be saved from sin’s penalty. When we place our faith in Jesus and make Him Lord of our life, we are saved and receive new, abundant and eternal life.
The Church is the body of Christ in the world today. The universal church consists of all believers in Jesus Christ at all times and in all places. The local church is a body of believers living out the teachings of Jesus. The church expresses the Kingdom of God on earth, with Jesus as the head. The biblical purposes of the church are worship, evangelism, fellowship, discipleship and ministry to others.
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world today to make humanity aware of its need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right. He distributes spiritual gifts and empowers the church. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.
Eternal life begins the moment we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior. As a gift from God, our salvation is secure for eternity. It is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. We were all created to exist forever. We will exist eternally separated from God by sin or in His presence through forgiveness and salvation. The place of eternal separation from God is called hell. The place of eternal presence with God is called heaven.