The sole basis for our beliefs is the Bible, a collection of sixty-six books making up the Old and New Testaments. We believe that the Bible (or the Scriptures) originated in its entirety with God and came to us through the instrumentality of men He chose. His message was not mechanically dictated, but the writers were “carried along” by God Himself in their writing. The result is that, in His providential grace, they wrote in human language exactly what He desired to have communicated.

Because of this process of God’s superintending the writing (called “inspiration”), the Bible is fully trustworthy. Except for copyists’ mistakes and errors or mistranslations, it is totally without error. The Bible is a human document only in as much as it was written in human language. But, the Bible is also a divine document in that it flawlessly communicates the very words of God to us. Thus, it is our sole and final authority on all matters of faith and practice.

The Bible isn’t a collection of loosely related “books,” but a unified work that conveys the amazing message of God’s desire for relationship with people.

Practical Implications

We place a high priority on the study and teaching of the Bible. We encourage private, as well as public, efforts to understand the meaning of God’s message to us as found in the Scriptures.

We seek to read and understand the Bible in a literal (though not “literalistic”) way because it is the appropriate way to read and understand ordinary communication between people. We affirm that the authors of the Scriptures meant what they said and we seek to grasp their meaning and then apply those truths to our lives.

Instruction, counsel, and teaching offered by leaders at Southside Fellowship must be clearly rooted in the truths found in the Bible. The Bible itself, not our experience, is the arbitrator of truth. All aspects of life and conduct must come under the direction and guidance of what the Bible has to say about that area of life.

No teaching or message, regardless of the source—even with claims to be “new revelation,” “a word from the Lord,” or the message of a “prophet”—is to be accepted or affirmed if it does not fully square with the teachings of the Bible.

Biblical References
Inspiration: 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21. Infallibility (that the Bible is without error): Psalms 119:89; Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 2:15. Final authority: 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Hebrews 4:12

Of all the things the Bible touches on, of supreme importance is what it tells us about God; it is God’s self-revelation. He has revealed Himself as the only true, holy, and living God, who is almighty, infinitely perfect, eternally existent and without equal. He made everything out of nothing and by His sovereign power He upholds His creation. He has also revealed that He possesses the characteristics of personality, yet without the limitations which men see when they think in terms of human personality.

Central to this self-revelation, God demonstrates that He intends to establish a community of people who will live in relationship with Him.

The Bible also shows, implicitly and propositionally, that God eternally exists as a tri-unity: within the being of the one God, three distinct persons eternally co-exist , each being self-conscious, co-equal, co-eternal, and fully divine. These three persons are identified as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Practical Implications

Having a personal and intimate knowledge of the God of the Bible is our highest priority. To substitute anything in the place of the pursuit of this knowledge is idolatry.

We endeavor to meet with, enjoy, and grow in our personal knowledge of God, affirming that He desires to be known personally and that we are able, by His grace, to come to know Him.

We want to be fully Trinitarian in our church life and we cannot agree with, support, or encourage any person or group who willfully rejects God’s self-revelation as triune (the Trinity).

Biblical References
God: Isaiah 42:5; 43:10; 44:6; 45:24. God’s attributes: 2 Samuel 7:22; Isaiah 40:13-25; Jeremiah 32:17; Habakkuk 3:6; 1Timothy 1:17. Sovereignty: Ephesians 1:11. Triune nature: Genesis 1:26, 27; 16:7-13; Isaiah 9:6, 7; 48:12-16; Matthew 12:28; 28:19; John 14:16; 2 Corinthians 13:14.

The heart of God’s self-revelation is found in the person of Jesus. He is the eternal Second Person of the Trinity who was united forever with a true human nature through a miraculous conception and virgin birth. In Him, the prophetic promises God had made about a Savior–both for Israel and for the world–are fulfilled. He is God’s “Anointed Deliverer”–an expression from where we get His title “Messiah” (Hebrew for “anointed one”) or “Christ” (the Greek word that means the same thing).

During His earthly life, although He lived truly as a man, He did not surrender any of His divine nature. He lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father and satisfied divine justice concerning the sins of mankind by voluntarily offering Himself as a substitutionary sacrifice on the cross. By so doing He is able to provide salvation from the judgment of God for all who trust in Him alone for their reconciliation with God.

The Father’s acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice is affirmed and underscored by His resurrection, having risen from the dead in the same body, although glorified, in which He lived and died. Subsequently, He physically ascended into heaven and now continually prays to the Father for those who are His own, serving there as the only mediator between God and man. He will one day visibly and personally return to the earth, to bring human history to a close, to establish His earthly kingdom, and to consummate the plan of God.

We want to embrace Jesus’ central message: He has come to preach good news and announce the “favorable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:14-21).

Practical Implications:

Our message is one centered specifically on the person of Jesus, not just generally on God. To advance another cause or message, other than the Good News (the Gospel) about the person and work of Jesus, is to depart from our primary calling.

Because the salvation the Bible speaks about has been procured by the perfect work of Jesus, we live knowing we can be unconditionally forgiven from sin now rather than hoping we might be forgiven at some future time or that we might procure forgiveness on the grounds of our own endeavors.

We are optimistic and enthusiastic about our individual lives as Christians, knowing that Jesus continually prays for us and our needs, continually asking the Father to grant what we need to grow in grace (Hebrews 7:25).

Biblical References
Jesus’ incarnation: John 1:1-3, 14; Philippians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:16-19. His sacrificial death: Ephesians 2:4-9; 1Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:11, 12; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; 1 John 2:1, 2. His resurrection: Acts 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3-22. His ascension: Luke 24:50; Acts 1:9-11; 2:32-36. His present ministry in heaven: Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 2:1.

The work of Christ Jesus is centered on bringing people into a personal and intimate relationship with God. Man was a direct and special creation of God, made in His image and likeness, and made to have this kind of relationship with the Creator. However, man willfully defied God and chose to go his own way resulting in his alienation from God. The fruit of this rebellion was a corruption of his nature, rendering man spiritually dead, unable to please God, and leaving him in a lost condition from which he could not rescue himself.

This break in relationship with God occurred at the very beginning of human history with the result that all individuals since that time have suffered these consequences. This left all people in need of a saving act to restore them to a right relationship with God. This restoration is available solely through the undeserved favor and benevolence of God through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Thus, genuine life with God cannot be obtained in whole or in part through human effort or goodness, but must be personally appropriated through an act of individual faith in what Jesus has accomplished.

Because this salvation was obtained through the work of Jesus and is given to those who believe as a gift of grace, God assures us that having begun the restoration of life in the heart of a believer He will continue this work until He brings it to completion.

Practical Implications

Knowing that all people are equally in need of God’s gracious saving work, we will not arrogantly hold ourselves aloof from those who have yet to find God’s love in Jesus.

Since we did nothing to obtain the salvation God has bestowed, we will live the Christian life as a “thank you” to God. We acknowledge that our lives neither add to the gift God has given nor secure for us any blessings that have not already been secured by Christ’s efforts on our behalf.

Because our salvation has been obtained by the work of Christ and not our efforts, we can rest in security, certain of the salvation that is ours. We live our lives to reflect this grace of God and communicate to people everywhere that restoration with God is available if they turn from their fruitless efforts to earn God’s favor and give themselves without reservation to Jesus as the only one able to save.

Biblical References
Man’s creation: Genesis 1:26, 27; 9:6. Man’s fall: Psalm 14:2, 3; Romans 3:23; 5:12, 19; Ephesians 4:18; 1 John 1:8-10. Man’s condition: Romans 2:12; 3:9-23; Ephesians 2:1-3. God’s provision in Christ: Isaiah 53; Ephesians 2:8,9; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 1:18, 19. Man’s response: John 1:12, 13; 3:14-18, 36; Acts 16:30, 31; Colossians 1:19-23. Security of the Believer: John 6:39; 10:27-29; Romans 8:38-39.

The new life that comes to the person who puts his or her faith in Christ to be reconciled to God is a work of spiritual re-creation. Since all people are dead to God because of sin, to have a relationship with God requires the giving of new life. The agent for this impartation is the Third Person of the Trinity: the Holy Spirit. He is the one who applies the salvation procured by Jesus to those who believe.

Sent into the world by the Father and the Son, the Spirit enlightens the minds of sinners, awaking in them an awareness of their need for a Savior and bringing them new life when they believe. At the point of salvation, He permanently indwells every believer, empowering him or her to live pleasing to the Father—something that is impossible without His ongoing presence. The Spirit uniquely gifts each believer for the building up of others, guides each believer in understanding and applying the Scriptures, and intimately works in the life of each believer to produce a character like Jesus’ and a life that brings glory to God.

Practical Implications:

We do not believe that the Christian life is a static condition; it is a continual process. We seek to be yielded to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit for growth in Christ-likeness, for deeper understanding of the truths of the life of faith, and for true power in service to others.

Fundamentally, self-improvement is impossible. Apart from the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, even a believer is unable to bring about real change in life.

Because the Spirit has equipped every believer for service, we look for how He intends for us to serve and will not be content to be merely spectators in the life of the church. We were each gifted for a reason, and each believer needs to discover that reason and apply himself or herself to meaningful service.

Biblical References
The person and work of the Spirit: John 3:3-5; 15:26; 16:8-13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:14; 15:13; 1 Corinthians 2:9-14; 3:16; 6:19; Galatians 5:22, 23; Ephesians 5:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:2

Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. For every person, there will be a future resurrection of the body into a new world and a time of judgment for each one. That judgment will determine the fate of each individual. Unbelievers will be separated from God, and this judgment will reveal His justice and holiness in consigning them to eternal retribution for their willful rejection of His gracious provision. Those who have believed in Christ Jesus will be received into eternal fellowship with God and will be rewarded for works done in this life.

The closing chapter of human history will begin with the physical return of Jesus to the earth, this event being “the beginning of the end.” Although the exact time of His return is unknown, we believe that it is a sure and certain event that will usher in a time of judgment on the earth to be followed by the time of judgment for all mankind, living and dead.

Practical Implications:

Knowing that our lifetime on this earth is only a passing moment compared with the eternal life that awaits us, we seek to live out this earthly life with an eternal perspective. Looking to the life we will one day live with God in heaven, we seek to live holy lives in this world—seeking to live now in a way that reflects our life to come.

Because of the abiding consequences of one’s decision regarding Christ Jesus, we seek to communicate, with loving urgency, the Good News of Jesus’ death for sinners with all we come in contact with who have yet to hear.

We reject the idea that this life we live on earth is only one of a number of personal incarnations—the teaching of reincarnation is incompatible with the teachings of the Bible. Each person must decide in this life what response he or she will make to God’s gracious offer in His Son.

Biblical References
Christ’s return: John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Revelation 19, 20. The coming judgement: Matthew 16:27; Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 2 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 20:11, 12. Heaven: John 14:3; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 7:9-17. Eternal punishment: Matthew 25:41-46; John 5:28, 29; 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9; Revelation 20:10.

Because every believer has become united to Christ through regeneration by the Spirit, all believers are members of His Body, the one true universal Church. In order to properly and fully experience this new life as part of the Body of Christ, believers are commanded in the Scriptures to regularly gather together in unity of mind and heart to give themselves to worship, prayer, mutual encouragement, teaching, and care giving. The life of a local church is overseen by elders and other leaders who have been given, by God, the responsibility of guiding, encouraging, and leading the local gathering of believers. The local church, the only expression of the universal Church, observes two ordinances (two observances “ordained” by Jesus).

Baptism is where an individual believer publicly declares his or her faith in Jesus Christ. It is not a saving act, but a response to God’s work and a seal or token of the covenant that has been made between the believer and God. Although there are a variety of modes used within the Christian church for administering this ordinance, at Southside Fellowship baptism is by immersion.

Communion is where the church gathers to declare the love of God manifested in the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is a memorial of Jesus’ work, a proclamation of the power of the Gospel to save, and a representation of the fellowship that all believers have with one another because of their relationship with Jesus Himself. All who are saved are welcome to participate in communion, whether they are members here or not.

Practical Implications:

Non-Christians can belong to an organization and even attend services at a church; but becoming a member of the Body of Christ is something that God alone can do. Thus, membership in a local church is conditioned on the saving work of God in the life of an individual whereby he or she is first made a member of the universal Church.

Whenever believers gather together, the church is present. The church is not a building or an organization, but a local gathering of believers. We seek to emphasize the church as the people of God, given to God’s purposes.

Biblical References:
The Universal Church: Ephesians 1:18-23; 2:13-22. The purpose of the church: Acts 2:42-47; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Hebrews 10:19-25; 1 Peter 2:9. Church leadership: Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28-35; Ephesians 4:11,12; 1 Timothy 5:17,18; Hebrews 13:17. Baptism: Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:5; 1 Peter 3:18-21. The Lord’s Supper: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.

We believe that this outline of our basic beliefs is an accurate summary of what the Bible does teach about the essentials of the Christian faith. We do recognize that there are matters, outside the scope of our doctrinal statement, over which sincere believers differ. We seek to promote an atmosphere where we are united on the essentials, personally responsible for areas outside those essentials, and gracious on nonessentials over which there may be some disagreement.

We believe that a proper and Biblical unity on the essentials is of far greater value in God’s eyes than the divisions that can arise over nonessentials. We welcome the freedom that every brother and sister in Christ has to express opinions about Biblical matters. However, we will not allow any one to advocate or promote interpretations or controversial positions in a divisive way that jeopardizes the unity of this local fellowship of believers.

Since the core truths we affirm are at the heart of what many Bible-believing churches teach, the next question might rightly be, “So, what makes Southside Fellowship what it is? How does Southside Fellowship differ from ‘the church down the street’?” The answer to those questions is found in examining the issue of how we seek to “do church.”