BELIEFS  

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

The Scriptures 

We believe that every word in the original writings is inspired by God and is without error. The Word of God reveals God's nature and will for all of humanity, and because of this it is to be the foundation of faith and practice. Because of this the authority and teaching of Scriptures will have a preeminent place in our church (II Timothy 3:16–17; II Peter 1:20–21; Hebrews 4:12; John 17:17). 

God 

God has revealed himself to us through his son, Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible  God, the holy scriptures, and through all of creation itself. We believe that there is only one true God  (Deuteronomy 6:4), who is infinitely perfect (Matthew 5:48), and who exists in three equal in essence but distinct in function persons—God the Father (Ephesians 1:3), Son (Colossians 2:9) and  Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4). He is the creator of all that exists, both visible and invisible, and is therefore worthy of all glory and praise. God is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, knowledge,  wisdom, justice, and mercy. He is unchangeable and therefore is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. 

Jesus Christ 

Jesus Christ is both the eternal Son of God (John 1:1) and the virgin-born Son of man (Luke 1:34-38). Fully God and fully man, He surrendered nothing of His deity during His earthly life.  His sinless, sacrificial offering on the cross satisfied the Father's justice, offering atonement for all of humanity's sins for all time. We believe in his bodily resurrection, His physical ascension, and His visible return back to earth to establish His earthly kingdom. (John 1:14–18; I Corinthians 15;  Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 2:9; Revelation 20:11–15) 

Holy Spirit 

The third person of the Trinity executes the will of God in this world through humanity by leading,  guiding, filling, teaching, and convicting. The Holy Spirit is not merely an impersonal force but is a person, displaying the qualities of personhood (intellect, emotions and will). He equips believers upon conversion by giving them gifts to be used for the building up of the church, and by bearing fruit through their yielded lives. (John 16:5–16; I Corinthians 12; Ephesians 2:10; John 3:1–8;  Ephesians 1:1; Galatians 5:16–25)

Humanity 

We were created in the image of God, therefore all humans being have human value. We were destined to enjoy an intimate relationship with God, fulfilling his will here on earth. But because of  Adam and Eve's willful sin in the garden sin entered the world and has infected all of humanity.  Therefore, because of our inherent sinful nature received from our father Adam, we are all separated from God, spiritually dead, and destined for physical death and an eternity removed from  God. (Genesis 1–3; Romans 1:18–32; Romans 3; Romans 5; Ephesians 2:1–3) 

Salvation 

We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins as the only sufficient sacrifice, offering the atonement of sins for all mankind through his death, burial, and resurrection. While salvation is available to all, it is only experienced by those who respond to his gracious gift by faith apart from works. For those who do respond we are regenerated and baptized by the Holy Spirit, becoming children of God,  given a new nature, and placed into the universal body of Christ, making us eternally secure in Him.  As a result of our new relationship with God through His Son Jesus, we are now called to a life of submission to the Holy Spirit, manifesting spiritual fruit and gifts, and walking in good works that God has prepared beforehand for us to do. (John 14:6; Titus 3:4–7; Acts 4:12; John 1:12; Romans 3:21– 26; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8–9; Hebrews 10:10–12; I John 5:11–13; Galatians 3:26; John 3:16) 

The Church 

For all who have placed their faith in God through His Son Jesus Christ, they are a part of the universal body of believers known as the church. This placement of the believer into the universal church requires an association of the believer with other followers of Christ in a local assembly. The purpose of the local church is to lead people to Christ and to bring them to maturity in Christ. The members of the local church are to live their lives in humble submission to other Spirit led believers,  and to the God appointed leaders of the church. Reach City Church is a local assembly that is led by  Jesus Christ, who gives direction as the head of this body through a body of appointed elders.  (Hebrews 10:24–25; Acts 2:41–47; I Corinthians 12–14; Matthew 28:18–20; Ephesians 2:19–22; I  Thessalonians 4:15–17) 

The Future 

Jesus Christ is returning one day to judge both the living and the dead and to usher in the fullness of  God's kingdom on earth. We believe that the next great event in human history will be the return of  Jesus Christ for his children. This is the blessed hope for all followers of Jesus Christ. While this event is a prophetic truth of Scripture, we acknowledge that the point of Christ's return is not for the  

believer to passively await this event, but to labor with all of our might in the power of the Spirit to fulfill his will in our lives through righteous living, evangelism and discipleship. After the return of  Christ those who accepted God's gracious gift of salvation will worship God forever in heaven. Those who did not will spend an eternity separated from Him in hell. (Matthew 24:36; I Thessalonians  4:15–17; John 14:1–3; Matthew 24–25).

We affirm that the doctrines of the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the bodily resurrection, the atoning work of Christ on the cross, and salvation by grace through faith make up the essential, distinctive nature of Christianity. Regarding these essential doctrines there can be no conflicting opinions of those who call themselves true followers of Christ. However, we do acknowledge that there are peripheral, or non-essential doctrines, that are important, but not critical to the follower of Christ as it relates to our salvation. Some of these doctrines include the specific functions of women in ministry,  the exact timing and nature of the rapture, extent and use of certain spiritual gifts, the relationship between election and free-will in salvation, etc. While our church will be diligent to establish positions  as it relates to these non-essentials, we will not allow these peripheral doctrines to cause division within the church. We will accept into our body those who have differing views on the non-essential doctrines but will not allow those of a different opinion to fracture the church. While we celebrate diversity along all lines (racial and theological), we will ultimately pursue the unity of the church.

What We Believe: Perspectives 

Baptism 

Jesus introduced water baptism in connection with His Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). He said that new disciples were to be baptized in the Name of the Triune God: Father, Son, and  Holy Spirit. The Alliance believes Jesus meant this to be a permanent practice, and Alliance churches encourage water baptism. 

Child Safety & Protection 

The Alliance firmly believes that children are especially close to God’s heart. Jesus clearly expresses His care for the youngest among us. We consider it the sacred responsibility of every person associated with the organization to protect, care for, and nurture the children God has graciously placed under our care. 

Churches 

As a fellowship of Great Commission Christians, The Alliance is all about bringing back the King.  As believers in Jesus Christ, we know peace, hope, and forgiveness of sins—and we share His message of redemption with others, in our neighborhoods, our cities, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). 

Evangelizing the Lost 

There are no two ways about it. Without Jesus, people are hopelessly lost. Whether they are in extreme poverty or wealth, those outside of Christ need to know that they can experience new life in Him. He calls us to join Him in His mission of evangelism and discipleship. 

Human Sexuality 

The Christian understanding of human identity is grounded in the Word of God. Any conversation concerning sex and sexuality will uphold the biblical teaching on the subject. The significance of  human sexuality is particularly evident in the account of Creation. We therefore affirm human sexuality to be a gift of God and also determined by God. By God’s grace, human sexuality both enriches and fulfills our personhood. 

Lostness of Man 

The whole of Jesus’ mission was to find lost people, to rectify their sinful acts, to place them in the right path. He came for this purpose. Jesus, King of Truth, taught that His mission to earth was “to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). Indeed, His mission cannot be defined without speaking of people as being lost. 

Sanctification 

Sanctification relates to our position in Christ and is the process by which we can live a Spirit filled life. Because many Christians have been badly taught, or because they have chosen to disregard the clear teaching of the New Testament regarding sanctification, they are missing out on much of what God has made available to every believer in Christ. 

Sanctity of Life 

We believe that life begins at conception and that this life is to be considered human at that time. We also hold that the sanctity of life should also be upheld throughout the duration of a  person's life. We matter in the womb and we matter until the tomb.  

Secret Societies 

It is the position of the C&MA that membership in a secret society, such as Masons, is not compatible with confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In all things, grace and truth must be championed and must operate as guiding principles in the exercise of appropriate church leadership. 

Spiritual Gifts 

Spiritual gifts are supernatural empowerments given by the Holy Spirit to the followers of Christ so that they can do the work of building up the Body of Christ. They are not innate, natural talents, but rather they are provided by the Holy Spirit to minister to the Body.

Women in Ministry 

From its earliest days to the present, The Alliance has been blessed by the faithful and fruitful ministries of women both in the United States and around the world. At Reach City Church we  affirm the gifting of women in all areas of service within the five-fold ministry.