Our Beliefs
Heppner Christian Church is an independent, congregational style, restoration church. The restoration movement sought to restore the church as a single body patterned after the church of the New Testament.
The restoration movement began all across America in the late 1700’s. Christians who wanted to serve God without someone interposing themselves between the believers and God, and to avoid sectarian squabbles, began promoting unity by using the Bible as the only source of faith and doctrine. Although there were some differences in interpretation, the movement recognized anyone who looked to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and used His teachings to guide their faith and practice. As the movement grew, the individual groups found they were not the only Christians, but they desired to be Christians only.
This idea was not new. During the Roman persecution, dedicated Christians began to group together, separating from the newly forming Roman Catholic Church, using the Scriptures as their guide. Throughout history they called themselves Christians or Brethren.
We at Heppner Christian Church, still hold the belief that all who trust in the one true God and His son Jesus Christ and obey His commands are our Brethren, and those who do not trust in the Divine Savior for salvation and do not obey His commandments, are not our Brethren.
The following constitutes the beliefs of Heppner Christian Church
We hold to two scriptural, essential truths;
that Jesus is the Christ, the savior of mankind through His death, burial, resurrection and exaltation to the right hand of God in Heaven, and, that the Bible is the supreme authority as our guide to Christian faith and service. We seek to speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent.
The following statements are based upon our understanding of Scripture and are the basis for living the Christian life as a community of believers.
God; We believe that there is one true, holy God, eternally existing in three persons- Father, Son and Holy Spirit- each of Whom possesses equally all the attributes of deity and the characteristics of personality. In the beginning God created out of nothing this universe and the world and all the things therein, thus manifesting the glory of His power, wisdom and goodness. By His sovereign power He continues to sustain His creation. By His providence He is operating throughout history to fulfill His redemptive purposes. (Matthew 28:18-20; John 14:26; II Corinthians 13:14)
Jesus Christ: We believe Jesus is the Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary; thus he is fully God and fully man. He lived a sinless life. He offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days to conquer sin and death. He ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father, where He, the only mediator between God and man, continually makes intercession for His own. He will return to earth visibly in his person, at the end of human history, to gather those who belong to Him, to judge the living and the dead, and to fulfill the eternal plan of God. (Matthew 28:18-20; John 1:1-4, 14-17; 1 Peter 2:24; Philippians 2:4-11; I Corinthians 15:1-8; Revelation 5:1-14)
The Holy Spirit: We believe the essential accompaniment of a genuine saving relationship with Jesus Christ is a life of holiness and obedience, attained by believers as they submit to the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity. He was sent into the world by the Father and the Son to apply to mankind the saving work of Christ. He enlightens the minds of sinners, awakens in them a recognition of their need of a Savior and regenerates them. At the point of salvation, He permanently indwells every believer to become the source of assurance, strength and wisdom, and uniquely endows each believer with gifts for the building up of the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying the Scripture. His power and control are appropriated by faith, making it possible for the believer to lead a life of Christ-like character and to bear fruit to the glory of the Father. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38; I Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 4:11-13)
Human Beings: We believe Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, were created perfect in God’s image. God created them for the purpose of a close personal relationship with Him. They chose to disobey God and by their action, destroyed that relationship and brought the curse of sin and death to mankind and all creation. All men and women have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Sin separates mankind from God eternally. Salvation from the sin condition can only be found in the grace of Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:26-31; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:12)
Satan: We believe in the reality of the fallen, angelic person of Satan. He leads other fallen angels through evil intent and warfare against God and His people. Satan and all who follow him are doomed to a certain, everlasting judgment from God. In scripture, this eternal death is called Hell. (Matthew 4:1-11; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:7-10; 20:10)
The Bible: We believe the Bible, both Old and New Testaments were inspired by God without error in the original manuscripts. These sixty-six books are the completed written revelation of God written by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. They have been reliably preserved and transmitted so as to provide an accurate basis for modern translations, and to ensure that God’s commands, promises, and purposes may be clearly understood. They are entirely trustworthy and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice. (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 12:6-7a, 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5)
Baptism: We believe baptism is one of two ordinances that are commanded by Jesus that encompass His death, burial and resurrection. Baptism by immersion in water is required for the remission of sin. This decision must be made by the individual not a parent or peer. To be forgiven for sins committed; Christians must repent, confess their sins, and ask God’s forgiveness. No one earns or deserves this forgiveness. It is a gift of grace from God. (John 3:5-8; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-4; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:18-21)
Communion: We believe communion is the second ordinance command by Jesus, to honor his death, burial and resurrection, through remembrance of the Last Supper. We believe that it is a vital practice of worship for all God’s people. (Luke 22:14-23; Acts 2:42; 20:7; I Corinthians 11:23-29)
The Church: We believe the Church Is comprised of all committed followers of Jesus and is identified as the “Body of Christ” with Jesus at its “Head”. The Church’s mission is to go into the whole world proclaiming the gospel, making disciples, and teaching them to obey what Christ has commanded. (Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 1:22-23; Hebrews 10:23-25)
Salvation: We believe that we are saved by God's grace and restored to him through faith in Jesus. Our response to God includes repenting (turning from sin), confessing Jesus as our Lord, being baptized by immersion into Christ, and living a life committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:5-9; Matthew 28:19-20; John 3:16; Acts 2:38; John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrew 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Romans 6:1-4)
The evidence of salvation: We believe the evidence of salvation is reflected by our words and actions. Saving faith never comes alone, but always shows itself in obedience to Christ. This includes a love for: God, God’s word, fellow believers and for the lost world which needs a Savior. All of this leads to a life of personal integrity. (Rev 3:5-6)