What We Believe

Our Beliefs

Hillside Christian Church is affiliated with the Christian churches and churches of Christ belonging to what is commonly called the Restoration Movement, which seeks the unity of all believers on the basis of the New Testament Scriptures. Our heritage is both evangelical and distinctive, in that our study of the New Testament makes us very cautious toward extra biblical creeds, and unwilling to use them as tests of an individual’s salvation or church membership. 

We recognize, though, that the criteria of leadership is more extensive than the criteria of salvation and fellowship, and therefore offer the following summary of our core beliefs. Though members of the church are not required to agree with all these statements, the elders and minister(s) of the Church affirm that:

The Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, is the Word of God written and is God-breathed, and therefore is without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is completely true, authoritative, and profitable for faith and life.

Scripture References:
Psalm 119:160; John 14:26, 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16

There is one true God, who is spirit, eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, and holy. God is the Creator, Ruler, and Redeemer of all creation. God is revealed to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three Persons possessing equally and eternally the divine nature and attributes of God.

Scripture References:
John 4:24; Psalm 90:2; Romans 1:20; 1 Timothy 1:17; Colossians 1:17; Revelation 4:8, 11; 2 Corinthians 13:14

Man is a union of body and soul, created in the image of God for the purpose of knowing, loving, and glorifying his Creator. To be human is to be rational and moral, exercising limited freedom and personal responsibility under divine providence and the moral order.

The conception of each human being is an act of new creation by God, in a state of innocence and naivete. Neither human nature nor the physical body is inherently sinful, yet sin corrupts individual character, especially through the flesh as an avenue for the entrance of sin and its consequences.

Scripture References:
Genesis 2:7, 1:27; Psalm 139:13; Zechariah 12:1; Romans 5:12; Galatians 5:17

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He is God the Word incarnate. He lived a perfectly sinless life, and through His suffering and death on the cross endured the justice of God against sin on behalf of humanity.

He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and now reigns over His creation as Lord and Mediator.

Scripture References:
John 1:1, 14; Philippians 2:5–11; Romans 3:24–26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Romans 8:34

According to the gracious promises of God in the New Testament, the steps toward salvation include faith in Jesus as the Son of God, Lord, and Christ; repentance from sin; confession of Jesus as the Christ; and baptism by immersion in water.

These faithful responses lead to the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Scripture References:
Romans 5:1, 10:9, 13; John 3:5; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1–4; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:5; Colossians 2:11–13; Titus 3:5

The Holy Spirit guided the biblical writers, protecting the truthfulness and sufficiency of the Scriptures. He accomplished miracles, signs, and wonders in the apostolic church and convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

He regenerates and indwells believers in Christ, strengthens Christians toward holiness, and leads them to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ.

Scripture References:
John 14:26; 2 Peter 1:21; Hebrews 2:4; John 16:8; John 7:37–39; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Romans 8:11–13; 1 Corinthians 13:8–10

Jesus established His Church to present the gospel to the world. The Church acknowledges Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and is grounded in the authority of the New Testament.

Christians follow the principles found in the teaching and example of the New Testament for faith and community life. The local church is led by multiple elders, overseers, or pastors and gathers on the first day of the week for teaching, fellowship, prayer, worship, and the breaking of bread.

Scripture References:
Matthew 16:16–18, 28:18–20; John 17:20–21; Acts 4:12, 17:11; Ephesians 2:20, 4:11–16; Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1, 5:17; Acts 2:2, 20:7

Jesus Christ will return to complete the judgment and redemption of creation. Every person will spend eternity either in Heaven or in Hell.

Scripture References:
1 Thessalonians 4:14–17; 2 Timothy 4:1; John 5:26–29; Revelation 20:15; Romans 8:11; Revelation 21:3–4