THE TRINITY
God is both One and Triune. Both the Old and New Testaments and the Christian Church testify that there is only one God and that He is eternally existent in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is eternally God. Jesus was present with the Father and the Holy Spirit from the beginning, and through Christ all things were made. To redeem man, Christ left heaven and became flesh by the Holy Spirit and through a virgin named Mary; He is forever one Christ with two natures, God and man. The Holy Spirit is God, the Lord and giver of life. He was active in the Old Testament. Yet, He was given to the Church in His fullness at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit empowers the believer for service and witness. He cleanses us from our old nature and conforms us to the image of Christ. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit following conversion, releases the fullness of the Spirit which is demonstrated by fruit and gifts in the life of the believer. God the Father is the creator and sustainer of all things. He created the universe in His great love. He created man in His own image for fellowship. After the rebellion and fall of man, God lovingly restored man through the life, death, and resurrection of His son, Jesus.
SCRIPTURE
We believe that the Bible, the Old and New Testaments, is the infallible and inspired Word of God. Its’ authority is ultimate, final and eternal. It cannot be added to, subtracted from, or superseded in any regard. The Bible is the source of all doctrine, instruction, correction and reproof. It enables us to find the path to Christian godliness and lifestyle.
THE ATONEMENT
Christ’s vicarious death on the cross paid the penalty for the sins of the whole world. Its’ benefits are available to those who receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. His death and resurrection paid the price in full for our physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.
Salvation
The Word of God declares salvation is a free gift from God. It is based on the sinless life, sacrificial death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Salvation is a product of faith. It occurs through personal repentance, belief in the Lord Jesus, and submission of oneself to Him as Lord and Savior. The new life in Christ includes the privileges of adoption and an inheritance in God’s Kingdom. Salvation is an act of free will in response to God’s personal love for mankind. It is predestined only in the sense that God, through His omniscience, foreknew who would choose Him. It is secure in the eternal, unchanging commitment of God who does not lie and is forever the same. Salvation should produce a lifestyle of loving obedience and service to Jesus Christ our Savior.
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
We believe that the bible reveals that the life of the believer in this world is a balance between what is required of us as believers and what is imparted to us according to our faith and maturity. Hence, God’s provision for His children is total. His promises are final and forever. There will be shortcomings of both individuals and the Church as we work out our salvation. The Christian life is filled with trials, tests and warfare against a spiritual enemy. God’s promises of eternal life are assured for those who abide in Christ. Through our dependence on the Holy Spirit, we are able to remain faithful through all circumstances of life.
THE CHURCH
There is a dynamic that can only be captured in a corporate gathering. We come to extravagantly worship our God, agree in prayer, study the Word, and testify of the goodness and faithfulness of our God. Colossians 3:15 instructs “Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.” At Gateway, we believe that each person has purpose and meaning. We provide a safe environment for believers to grow in their gifts as they encourage one another to become all God has called them to be.
CHURCH GOVERNMENT
As defined in Ephesians 4, the five-fold ministry governs the Church. Church policy is a balance between congregation and eldership authority emphasizing the final authority of Church leadership.
BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Word of God instructs the Church on two sacraments of the Lord Jesus Christ. The first, baptism, is the outward sign of what God has already done in the individual’s life and is a testimony to all that the person now belongs to Jesus. As per Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 28:19, we “baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”. (CEV) Our Lord’s victorious resurrection is celebrated in our second sacrament, the Lord’s Supper. It is done in remembrance of Him until He comes again. The Lord’s table is open to all believers.
ESCHATOLOGY
We affirm the bodily, personal, second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the saints, the millennium, and the final judgment. The final judgment will determine the eternal state of both the saint and the unbeliever.