WHAT WE BELIEVE

The following are the core beliefs of Aurora Community Church, part of the Church of the Nazarene, based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. God raised Him from the dead after three days to demonstrate God’s power over sin and death. Jesus ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for godly living, understanding of spritiual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift (i.e., administration, leadership, helps, giving, etc.) to be used to help build up the church when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it contains all truth necessary to faith and how to live the Christian life.

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty which is death. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved from the dominion of sin. New life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

The Christian life is received by faith and then lived out practically. For most all of us, the decision to let Christ be the Lord of our life is the beginning point of fleshing out a God pleasing life. This is a point in time when a believer surrenders all that they are and have to God. At that time of surrender and daily consecration, the Holy Spirit cleanses and empowers the believer to help them live the Christian life effectively. The Scripture call this “holiness” or sanctification.

People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.