De Smet Community Church Core Beliefs

Purpose Statement 

The purpose of this church shall be to live out the Great Commission as it is given to us in Matthew 28:19-20 when Jesus says “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”   In doing so, we seek to exhibit our love for God (Matthew 22:37) and for each other (Matthew 22:38).  

As a church, we will seek to exhibit love that GROWS, through gathering, restoring, outreaching, worshipping, and serving.

• Gathering-Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
• Restoring-Galatians 6:1 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness…”
• Outreaching-Matthew 28:19-20 (see above).  Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
• Worshipping-Psalm 96:9 “Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.”   Psalm 29:2 “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.”
• Serving-Psalm 100:2 “Serve the Lord with gladness!”  Galatians 5:13b “…through love serve one another.”

Affirmation of Faith

1.  We believe that the Old and New Testament is the inspired word of God,  that the original writings are inerrant and infallible, and that the word of God is our ultimate authority.
2. We believe in one living and eternal God who exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

• We believe that God the Father is infinite and eternal.  He is perfect in wisdom, power, and love.
• We believe Jesus Christ is God’s only Son.   He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin.  He lived a sinless life on earth and died on the cross so that all who believe in him will not perish, but have eternal life.
• We believe in the Holy Spirit who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement, and regenerates, sanctifies, and empowers all who believe in Jesus Christ.

3. We believe that mankind was created in the image of God.  All of mankind are sinners and as a result have incurred not only physical death, but spiritual death which is separation from God.  All of mankind are born with a sinful nature and are sinners by choice, therefore they are under condemnation.
4. We believe that those who repent and believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are a new creation in Christ.  We celebrate the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:1 when he says, “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
5. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of Jesus Christ, His ascension into heaven, and His presence in heaven as the Great High Priest and our advocate.
6. We believe that the return of Jesus Christ is imminent.
7. We believe in the existence of Satan who works to destroy the souls of men.   We believe in hell, and that all who do not repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ will perish eternally in hell.
8. We believe in the church of Jesus Christ.  The mission of the church is to preach the Word of God to all the world.
9. We believe that the ordinances of the Church, given by Jesus Christ, are the Lord’s Supper (communion) and Baptism.  We believe that the Lord’s supper was instituted by Christ to commemorate his death.  We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  

• Babies and small children who are unable to express true repentance may be dedicated to the church upon request from the parents or legal guardians. 

10. We believe that every person is directly responsible to God alone in all matters of faith.
11. We believe that the Bible clearly teaches that marriage is between one man and one woman.  

• Genesis 2:24 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
• Matthew 19:4-5 “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’”

12. We believe that the previously listed affirmations are biblical doctrines; therefore, we stand firmly upon them as a confession of Faith.