City Bridge is a non-denominational church that is modern in style of worship yet traditional in historical Christian beliefs. Concerning our beliefs, we embrace the following:

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In essential beliefs we have UNITY
 

The core beliefs listed below are non-negotiable and central to the Christian faith. We hold fast to these as the essential beliefs held by Christians of all ages.

 

“Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about our common faith, ….I urge you to defend the faith that God has entrusted to His people once and for all time.” - Jude 3

 

In non-essential beliefs we have  LIBERTY
 

We like to say that “We major on the majors and minor on the minors.” Our aim is to cultivate a non-critical, non-judgmental environment at City Bridge.  This is what the Apostle Paul talked about in the Book of Romans regarding giving freedom in non-essential matters. He said:

 

“Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with. Remember that, just like you, they have their own history to deal with and backgrounds that formed their convictions. Treat them gently. Each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience…. So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I’d say it leaves you looking pretty silly—or worse. Eventually, we’re all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren’t going to improve your position there one bit.  You’ve got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God.” - Romans 14​

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In all of our beliefs, we show LOVE
 

Every human being is loved by God and valued by Him. Because God loves every human being we do as well, regardless of what they believe.  We are saved by grace and reject attitudes of superiority over another human being regardless of what they do or don’t believe.

 

“If I give everything I own to the poor but I don’t walk in love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, or what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.”  

I Corinthians 3

God: The Creator

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.

Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

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Man: God's Greatest Creation

Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. He is the supreme object of God's creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates us from God.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2

 

Eternity: Somewhere Forever

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. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence.

John 3:16; 1 John 2:25; 1 John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 25:31-46

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Jesus Christ: God's Son

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 men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven's glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13

 

Salvation: His Plan

Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works - only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin's penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith and is secured for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1 John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

 

Holy Spirit: Our Guide

The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men 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 living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under his control daily.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1

 

The Bible: Our Owner's Manual

The Bible is God's word to all men. 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 is truth without any mixture of error.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5t

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Water Baptism: Going Public

Baptism by immersion symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and is your public declaration that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Baptism does not save you, but shows the world that you have already been saved. And while baptism is not required for salvation, it is a biblical command and demonstrates your love and obedience to Christ.

Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41; Ephesians 2: 8-9; Matthew 28:19-20

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Spirit Baptism

John the Baptist initially came declaring the need for repentance and water baptism. He said that Jesus would come bringing another baptism, a baptism of fire, Spirit Baptism. This baptism is initially demonstrated in Acts chapter 2 when the Holy Spirit comes upon the believers gathered, not just infilling them, which happens at salvation. This baptism according to Jesus in Acts chapter 1 would be a baptism of empowerment, enabling them to operate in spiritual gifts.  This baptism is often accompanied with "spiritual language ", a "heavenly" language by which we can glorify, praise and pray to our loving God, engaging our mind but also our spirit apart from our mind which is limited.  

Luke 3:16, Acts 1,2, I Cor 14