about us | What We Believe
THE WORD OF GOD
We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, inerrant in the original writings, complete as the revelation of God's will for salvation, and the supreme and final authority in all matters to which they speak. (II Timothy 3:16; 11 Peter 1:20, 2 1)
THE TRINITY
We believe in one God, Creator and Sustainer of all things, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; that these are equal in every divine perfection and that They execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption. (Matthew 3:16, 17; Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:7; 1 Peter 1:2)
GOD THE FATHER
We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1: 1; John 4:24; John 3:16)
JESUS CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ is God's eternal Son, and has precisely the same nature, attributes and perfection, as God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. We believe further that He is not only true God, but true man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. We also believe in His sinless life, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven, and His personal, visible, premillennial return from heaven. (John 1: 1; John 14:6; John 10:27-30)
HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit, His personality, and His work in regeneration, sanctification, and preservation. His ministry is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and implement Christ's work of redeeming the lost and empowering the believer for godly living and service. (Genesis 1:2; John 14:26; Acts 5:3; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13)
MANKIND
We believe God created man, male and female, in the image of God and free from sin. We further believe man is a sinner by nature and choice and is therefore spiritually dead. We also believe that those who repent of sin and trust Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:26, 27; Romans 3:23)
SALVATION
We believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We further believe that this salvation is based upon the sovereign grace of God, and was purchased by Christ on the cross, and is received by man through faith, apart from any human merit, works, or ritual. (Ephesians 2:8, 9, 10; Romans 6:23)
REGULAR OBSERVANCES
The two Christian observances are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. They are the regular observances appointed by Christ to be administered in the local church, not as means of salvation, but as visible signs of its reality.
Baptism- Baptism by water is the symbol of one’s union by faith with Christ in death, burial, and resurrection. It is, each time, the public confession of these spiritual realities to the world. Baptism is by immersion, which is the meaning of the word “baptizo” in the Bible. Baptism is for those who have put their saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:36-41; Acts 8:12-13 and also verses 34-39; and Romans 6:3-5)
For more information on Baptism, please contact Jami Shivel at jami.s@washingonheights.org.
- The Lord’s Supper- The Lord’s Supper, also called Communion, was instituted by Christ himself on the night of His betrayal. It is a memorial of Christ’s death and proclamation of His saving grace symbolized in the bread (His body broken for us) and the juice (His shed blood for our sins). It is observed monthly and is for all those who have trusted Jesus alone for forgiveness from sin. (Matthew 26:26-30; I Corinthians 11:26)
MEMBERSHIP
While this word is not used in the Bible, we believe that being joined to Jesus through faith provides access to the Body of believers universally. We recognize that membership is not required for salvation, but instead, we believe it is vital in doing life together. We see membership expressed through an individual’s personal commitment to join a local Body for worship, fellowship and accountability to God and each other.
Once a month, a membership class is offered. This is a place where individuals can learn more about what it means to be a member of Washington Heights. Here, you can receive a copy of our Core Values and beliefs along with our Church Constitution. To sign up for a membership class or for more information on membership, contact Jami Shivel at: jami.s@theheightscommunity.org.
