The Mission
The Vision
The mission of Summit Church is that our members will
Know God, Grow in their faith, and Impact our community.
Know God, Grow in their faith, and Impact our community.
The vision of Summit Church is to create a community of authentic believers and to witness a city transformed by the life changing reality of the gospel, as people come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of Summit Church based on the foundational truths taught in the 66 books of the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.
THE BIBLE
It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible and inerrant (2 Timothy 3:16; I Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5, Romans 16:25-26
THE TRINITY
We believer in the Eternal Godhead who has revealed Himself as ONE God existing in THREE persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; distinguishable but indivisible (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of men, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, very God and very man (Luke 1:26-35; John 1:18; Isaiah 7:14; 9:16).
We believe Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose agin the third day, and personally appeared to his disciples (1 Corinthians 15:14; Romans 4:25)
SALVATION
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when the people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God and it cannot be earned through our own efforts. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:12,22; Romans 5:11)
THE CHURCH
The church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith in Christ, It is committed to the teachings of Christ, to obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ, (Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23).
ETERNAL LIFE
Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. (John 5:24; 3:16; Mark 9:43-58; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:10-15).
WATER BAPTISM
Baptism in water by immersion, is a direct commandment of our Lord (Matthew 28:19), and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 8:36-39)
The following statement at the water baptismal is recommended: “On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11), is a gift from God, as a promise by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers, and is received subsequent to the new birth (John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8, 2:4, 38-39; Acts 10:44-48)
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is accompanied by various Spiritual gifts to build and sanctity the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. The Bible list of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operation in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters. (Hebrews 2-4; Romans 1:11, 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:16; 2 Timothy 1:5-16, 4:14; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-40; 1 Peter 4:10).
SANCTIFICATION
It is the ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ’s character in us. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, Romans 8:29, 12:1-2; Hebrews 2:11).
MARRIAGE AND SEXUALITY
We believe in the sanctity of marriage as established by the Holy Scriptures, that God created marriage, and that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2-3, 1 Corinthians 7:10-11; Ephesians 5:22-33)
God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged outside of marriage between a man and a woman. Any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, or any attempt to change one’s biological sex or to otherwise act upon any disagreement with one’s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God (Genesis 2:22-24; Exodus 20:14; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 1:18-27; Colossians 3:5; Hebrews 13:4-7)
In order to preserve the function and integrity of the Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a Biblical role model to the Church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the Church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide to this Statement on Marriage and Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly. God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of the Church.
DIVINE HEALING
Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God, through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands (Mark 16:18; James 5:14-15); it is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is available to all who truly believe.
THE LORD’S SUPPER
The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper is a commandment of our Savior; and being a memorial to His death and resurrection, is strictly limited to Christian believers (1 Corinthians 11:27). Its time and frequency of observance are left to the discretion of each Congregation (1 Corinthians 11:26). Only unfermented grape juice, the fruit of the vine, as recommended by our Lord (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:18) shall be used in connection therewith.
TITHES & OFFERINGS
Should be used for the support of the active ministry of the church; and for the propagation of the Gospel and work of the Lord through the local church and not given to charity or used for other purposes (Malachi 3:7-11; Hebrews 7:2; 1 Corinthians 9:7-11; 16:2)
RESURRECTION OF THE JUST
The Bible promises, “This same Jesus shall so come in like manner” (Acts 1:11). His coming is imminent; when He comes, “The dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
BIBLICAL AUTHORITY
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind is the sole and final source of all that we believe.
It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible and inerrant (2 Timothy 3:16; I Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5, Romans 16:25-26
THE TRINITY
We believer in the Eternal Godhead who has revealed Himself as ONE God existing in THREE persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; distinguishable but indivisible (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of men, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, very God and very man (Luke 1:26-35; John 1:18; Isaiah 7:14; 9:16).
We believe Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose agin the third day, and personally appeared to his disciples (1 Corinthians 15:14; Romans 4:25)
SALVATION
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when the people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God and it cannot be earned through our own efforts. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:12,22; Romans 5:11)
THE CHURCH
The church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith in Christ, It is committed to the teachings of Christ, to obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ, (Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23).
ETERNAL LIFE
Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. (John 5:24; 3:16; Mark 9:43-58; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:10-15).
WATER BAPTISM
Baptism in water by immersion, is a direct commandment of our Lord (Matthew 28:19), and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 8:36-39)
The following statement at the water baptismal is recommended: “On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11), is a gift from God, as a promise by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers, and is received subsequent to the new birth (John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8, 2:4, 38-39; Acts 10:44-48)
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is accompanied by various Spiritual gifts to build and sanctity the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. The Bible list of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operation in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters. (Hebrews 2-4; Romans 1:11, 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:16; 2 Timothy 1:5-16, 4:14; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-40; 1 Peter 4:10).
SANCTIFICATION
It is the ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ’s character in us. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, Romans 8:29, 12:1-2; Hebrews 2:11).
MARRIAGE AND SEXUALITY
We believe in the sanctity of marriage as established by the Holy Scriptures, that God created marriage, and that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2-3, 1 Corinthians 7:10-11; Ephesians 5:22-33)
God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged outside of marriage between a man and a woman. Any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, or any attempt to change one’s biological sex or to otherwise act upon any disagreement with one’s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God (Genesis 2:22-24; Exodus 20:14; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 1:18-27; Colossians 3:5; Hebrews 13:4-7)
In order to preserve the function and integrity of the Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a Biblical role model to the Church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the Church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide to this Statement on Marriage and Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly. God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of the Church.
DIVINE HEALING
Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God, through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands (Mark 16:18; James 5:14-15); it is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is available to all who truly believe.
THE LORD’S SUPPER
The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper is a commandment of our Savior; and being a memorial to His death and resurrection, is strictly limited to Christian believers (1 Corinthians 11:27). Its time and frequency of observance are left to the discretion of each Congregation (1 Corinthians 11:26). Only unfermented grape juice, the fruit of the vine, as recommended by our Lord (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:18) shall be used in connection therewith.
TITHES & OFFERINGS
Should be used for the support of the active ministry of the church; and for the propagation of the Gospel and work of the Lord through the local church and not given to charity or used for other purposes (Malachi 3:7-11; Hebrews 7:2; 1 Corinthians 9:7-11; 16:2)
RESURRECTION OF THE JUST
The Bible promises, “This same Jesus shall so come in like manner” (Acts 1:11). His coming is imminent; when He comes, “The dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
BIBLICAL AUTHORITY
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind is the sole and final source of all that we believe.