The following is a summary of our doctrinal foundation. It is our belief that some positions on theological and doctrinal identity are matters open for cordial discussion and debate among followers of Jesus. Other matters, such as the ones we have identified here, are the "rock" upon which the foundation of our faith rests. The following is a summary of the foundational beliefs we thus hold. Sturgeon Bay Community Church is a church of grace and acceptance, where the freedom to hold varying positions on issues beyond what we have identified below is enjoyed by all who worship here.

The Holy Scripture

We believe the holy scriptures to be the inspired word of God in thought and word. They are authoritative, infallible and in-errant in the original writings.

II Tim. 3:16,17; II Peter 1:20,21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12,13


The Godhead

We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, identical in nature, equal in power and glory and having the same attributes and perfections.

Deuteronomy 6:4; II Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 29:19,20


The Person and Work of Christ

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God became man, without ceasing to be God. We believe He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. We believe that He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a substitute sacrifice. We believe that our redemption is made sure to us by his literal physical resurrection from the dead.

John 1:1,2; Luke 1:35; Romans 3:24,25; Romans 4:25; I Peter 1:3-5; Hebrews 7:25;9:24; I John 2:1 


The Personality of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the personality of the Godhead and convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He indwells all believers in the present age, baptizes them into the body of Christ, and seals them unto the day of redemption. We believe it is the duty of every believer to be filled with and by the Holy Spirit. We believe the Holy Spirit gives gifts to every member of the body for the edification of the church.

Romans 8:4; I Corinthians 12:7-14; Ephesians 1:13,14; Ephesians 4:7-12; Ephesians 5:18; John 16:8-11


The Depravity of Man

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin, man fell from his original innocence. This alienated the natural man from God and has left man totally unable to remedy his lost condition. Now, every person born into the world inherits this sin nature and is enslaved to the service of sin. Each person has a natural inclination not to love God with his heart or mind or strength; and every person is inclined to serve his own interests over those of his neighbor. To put it another way, man without Jesus, even with all circumstances in his favor, can do nothing but work for his own destruction; and even his religion and philanthropy are destructive, to the extent that these originate from his own imagination, passions and will. 

Genesis 1:26,27; Romans 3:22,23; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:12 ;Ephesians 2:1-22, Isaiah 64:6, Rom 6:26, Psalms 1, 8:3-6, 32:1-5, 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5-13; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31, 15:19 & 21-22; Colossians 1:21-22, 3:9-11.


Salvation 

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ whose precious blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins.

John 1:12; John 3:16; Ephesians 1:7,8; Ephesians 2:8-10


Eternal Security

We recognize that there are two distinct positions held in the universal church as well as our local assembly concerning the doctrine of eternal security. Both basic positions are: 1. Salvation is a gift from God that is un-rescindable, unchangeable and eternal. 2. Salvation is a gift from God that may be placed in jeopardy by the rebellion of the receiver. Both of these positions are based on strong Biblical arguments. We at Sturgeon Bay Community Church believe that we can embrace believers of both persuasions and can provide an environment filled with love, acceptance and communication rather than one that alienates and separates over this issue, which is secondary to salvation (how one becomes a Christian).


The Church

We believe that the church of Jesus Christ began at Pentecost; is a spiritual organism composed of all born again believers and is the body and bride of our Lord. We believe the two ordinances of the Lord's Table and the water baptism of believers are designated in Scripture as a means of testimony for the Church in this age.

 

Baptism is an outward symbolic act that demonstrates the inward reality of what God has done in bringing us to faith in Jesus. Believer’s Baptism is the act of obedience on the part of a professing, born-again believer in Jesus Christ. The method of Baptism we prefer is immersion.

 

The Lord’s Table is a regular time of unification, remembrance, thanksgiving and examination of the Lord’s work in our lives, because Christ died for us.

 

Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 2:34-37; Acts 8:36-39; 18:8; I Corinthians 11:23-26; I Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:22,23;5:25-27


The Personality of Satan

We believe in the personality of Satan, who is the open and declared enemy of God and man and whose destiny is everlasting punishment.

Job 1:6,7; Matthew 4:2-11; Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28: 10,11; Revelation 20:10

 

The Second Advent of Christ

We believe in the personal imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His own and His subsequent return to earth to set up His Kingdom.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:51-53; Zechariah 14:4-11; Revelation 20:6

 

The Eternal State

We believe that the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do at death immediately pass into His presence forever. The souls of unbelievers remain after death in conscious torment until the final judgment of the great white throne at the close of the millennium. Non-believers will then be banished from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power forever.

Luke 16:119-26; Luke 23:43; II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6,7

 

Separation

We believe that all believers should seek to walk in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Lord and Savior.

Leviticus 19:2; Romans 12:1,2; 14:13; II Corinthians 6:14; II Corinthians 7:1; I John 2:15-17

 

Our Financial Policy

Sturgeon Bay Community Church is not financially endowed. We engage in no financial activities for profit, sincerely abiding by Christ's instruction, "make not my Father's house a house of merchandise" (John 2:16). We depend entirely upon the regular gifts of God's people, made without assessment. The scriptures urge liberal Christian giving as an expression of our devotion--a ministry that God richly rewards. The record of offerings is kept in strict confidence, unavailable for observation.