Our Beliefs and Teachings

Traditional. Non-denominational. Holiness.

The Orchard holds to the core teachings of the Bible and the traditional Christian Church, consistent with classics of the Faith such as The Apostles Creed and the Creed of Nicaea (though we have no formal creeds). Within this tradition, we recognize that there are doctrinal differences between churches, but that God desires for us to be fully unified. Thus, we have a non-denominational posture, which means that we see our church and all other churches as honest seekers of God's mysteries, will, and truths - we are partners with other churches, and not competitors. This is why we promote other neighboring churches.

For those who are theologically oriented, we have a doctrinal distinction that teaches a Weslyan-Arminianism (free-will) and Holiness position in regard to salvation and sin, an open position in regard to Spiritual Gifts (that is, all Gifts are valid for both men and women in today's church), and an Idealism position in regard to End Times (simply, Jesus is coming again and the timing cannot be determined).

To help understand our positions more clearly, below you will find an expansion of the truths we teach.

 

God – The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit

• We believe there is one true and holy God, eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – each of whom possesses equally all the attributes of deity and characteristics of personality - Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19.
• We believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible – Genesis 1:1-31.
• We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, who lived on earth as both fully human and fully devine. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin through the agency of the Holy Spirit, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind and thus, atoned for our sins. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory - John 1:1,14, 20:27-28, I Timothy 3:16, I Corinthians 15:3-8, Philippians 2:5-6, I Timothy 2:5.
• We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified - John 16:7-15.

The Bible

• We believe that all scripture is inspired by God, and that its messages are without error. Scripture is completely relevant to guide our daily lives into truth. The Bible is the unique, full and final authority on all matters of faith and practice, and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God - 2 Timothy 3:14-17.

Humanity, Sin, Salvation, and Eternity

• We believe that men and women are made in the image of God. Thus, every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love. We also believe that we are created to have fellowship with God. But we have defied God, chosen to go our own independent way, and have thus became sinful, suffering alienation from God and the corruption of our human nature - Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2:7, Psalms 8:3-6, Isaiah 6:5, Jeremiah 17:5, Romans 1:19-32, Romans 3:23, Romans 7:14-25; I Corinthians 1:21-31.
• We believe we cannot attain a right relationship with God through our own effort, but we are saved by grace only through faith in Jesus Christ: Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human efforts - Ephesians 2:8-9, John 14:6, Titus 3:5.
• We believe that the Reign of God (or the Kingdom of God) exists on this earth as well as in heaven. Thus the presence, love, and power of God is in our lives and in our church in the present day here on earth - Luke 17:20-21, Matthew 25:34.
• We believe that Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence. 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 through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life - Matthew 25:14-30, John 3:16, John 3:36, Romans 6:23, I John 2:25, I John 5:11-13, Revelation 20:15.

Christians and The Church

• We believe that Christians are the committed followers of Jesus Christ. Put another way, Christians are people who are committed to turning away from a life of sin and the pursuit of the world, and relinquishing the authority of their lives over to God. Thus, a Christian has made Jesus the Lord of their life as well as Savior. As a result, Christians receive the gift of Faith from God and the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives - John 1:12, John 14:17-23, John 15:4, Acts 2:36-39, Romans 12:1-2, Romans 8:11, Revelation 3:20.
• We believe that the global Church are all spiritually connected followers of Jesus Christ from every age, race, and nation. Conversion places us in the Church, and no other formalities are necessary - Acts 2:41-47, John 17:20-23, Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 2:19-22.
• We believe that a local church is a group of Christians who join relationally with one another in order to deepen love and unity and holiness, with God and with one another. Love is known by our sacrifice and service to others, and unity / holiness is our mutual pursuit to become Christ-like in our actions, attitudes, words, and thoughts - Romans 12:1-7, Ephesians 4:11-16, Philippians 2:1-5.
• We believe we are to serve together and with God to role model and communicate the Gospel to those who are outside the Church – Matthew 28:16-20, II Corinthians 5:18-21, Ephesians 3:10-12.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

• We believe that God through His Holy Spirit dwells within the life of every believer producing Christian character and resulting in Christian service (fruits of the Spirit and gifts of the Spirit) - Galatians 5:22-26, I Corinthians 12:1-31.
• We believe the Holy Spirit distributes a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. The Bible’s lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, the gifts may occur in various combinations and timing, and the gifts are not restricted to gender, race, or age. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures - Hebrews 2:4, Romans 1:11, Romans 12:4-8, Ephesians 4:16, I Timothy 4:14, II Timothy 1:6-7, I Corinthians 12:1-31, I Corinthians 14:1-40, I Peter 4:10.