We, the people of South Loop Community Church, are a Bible-believing, culturally-engaging, evangelical ministry.   This non-denominational, elder-led ministry holds to and teaches the following:

Doctrinal Statement

THE BIBLE
We believe the Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments (sixty-six books), to be the infallible, verbally inspired Word of God and to be without error in the original writings.   This divine inspiration is not in different degrees, but extends equally and fully to all parts in the writings.   Biblical interpretation shall be based on the normal literal, grammatical, historical, cultural and contextual approach to study.   The absolute truth in the Scriptures is the final authority for creed and conduct.   (Psalm 119:9-11,105-112,160; Matthew 5:18; Mark 12:26,36; 13:11; John 10:34,35; 16:12,13; 17:17; Acts 1:16; 2:4; 1 Corinthians 2:13; Galatians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20,21; Revelation 22:18,19)

THE TRIUNE GOD
We believe in the one living, personal and true God of the Bible, who exists eternally in three Persons: the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit.   He created (in six literal days as recorded in the Book of Genesis) all things and holds all things together.   In him we find a meaningful life purpose.   The three persons in the triune God have distinct but harmonious functions in the great plans of creation and redemption, having the same attributes and perfections.   He will not share his glory with any other.   (Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:2,3; Deuteronomy 4:35; 6:4; Psalm 2:7-9; 90:2; Isaiah 42:8; 43:10,11; 45:14; 46:9; Matthew 3:16,17; 28:19,20; John 1:1-3; 4:24; 17:3; Acts 5:3; Romans 1:20; 1 Corinthians 8:4,6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:3-10; 4:3-6; Colossians 1:16,17; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 1:3; Revelation 4:11)

GOD THE FATHER
We believe in God the Father: creator and sustainer of all things, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love.   He shows mercy in concerning himself in the affairs of the human race.   He hears and responds to our prayers, according to his perfect will.   He graciously sent his Son into the world to reconcile people to himself in a love relationship.   God the Father provides his Spirit to accomplish what he desires in the lives of people.   (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 7:9; Matthew 5:48; John 3:16; 14:15-21,23-26; 15:16,26; Acts 13:17-25; 14:15-17; 17:24-28; 1 Peter 4:19)

GOD THE SON
We believe in the absolute deity and virgin birth of Jesus Christ the Messiah: that he is truly God and truly man.   He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.   He is the manifestation of God in the flesh.   We believe in his perfect humanity, his substitutionary death through the shedding of His blood for the forgiveness of sins, his bodily resurrection and ascension to God the Father's right hand, his present high priestly ministry in heaven for believers, and in his second coming.   (Isaiah 7:14; 53:1-6; Matthew 1:18-25; 28:6,7; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1,14,18; 3:16; 14:8,9; Acts 1:3,9-11; 2:22,23; Romans 9:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 7:25,26; 9:22,28; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18)

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe the Holy Spirit is an eternal, divine person of God who convicts people of sin, righteousness and judgment; who bears witness to the truth of the gospel; who baptizes and indwells every believer in Christ at the moment of conversion; who seals Christians securely for the final day of redemption; who teaches believers the truth of God; who empowers believers for godly living; who equips Christians for service ministry through individually-given spiritual gifts; who fills believers in Christ for fruitful and effective ministry here on earth.   Teaching on the Holy Spirit's ministry is non-charismatic in reference to the "sign" gifts, which validated the message and ministry of the apostles until the completion of the written Word of God. We choose to emphasize the more excellent way of love and zeal for the more mutually edifying gifts.   (Genesis 1:1-3; Mark 1:8; Luke 1:35; 24:49; John 1:33; 3:5,6; 14:16,17,26; 16:8-15; Acts 1:8; 5:3,4,30-32; 11:16; Romans 8:9-17,26,27; 12:4-8; 15:19; 1 Corinthians 2:10,11; 3:16; 6:19; 12:4,5,11,13,19; 13:8; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 12:12; Galatians 3:26-29; 5:16,22-25; Ephesians 1:13,14,22; 4:30; 5:18; Philippians 3:3; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 2:4; 9:14; 1 Peter 4:10,11)

ANGELIC SPIRIT BEINGS
We believe in the reality of spirit beings, including the devil.   God created angels as finite, spirit beings.   They are subject to him and, therefore, limited. Good (elect) angels worship in the presence of God, rejoice in his works, assist in executing God's will and watch over or protect believers.   The devil, or Satan, fell from heaven due to pride, rebellion and his ambition to be God.   Satan drew with him a host of fallen angels, or evil spirits, who join him in opposing the one true God and his holy will.   Scripture describes the devil as "the god of this age."   He is destined to judgment in the lake of fire, or hell, intended for him and his angels.   (Genesis 3; 1 Kings 22:19-23; Job 1:6-12; 38:7; Psalm 148:2,5; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew 4:1-11; 8:16; 25:41; Luke 8:31; John 8:44; 13:27; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 11:13-15; Ephesians 2:2; Colossians 1:16; 1 Timothy 5:21; Hebrews 1:14; 2:14; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 12:9; 20:10)

HUMAN DEPRAVITY
We believe in the Fall and depravity of the human race: that, while created in the image and likeness of God, the human race has fallen through Adam's voluntary sin and has inherited a sinful nature, has become alienated from God and is under condemnation of death (separation from God), totally unable to remedy this spiritually lost condition in itself.   People need a Savior. (Genesis 1:26,27; 3:1-6,15; Isaiah 59:1,2; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 1:18,32; 3:10-19,22,23; 5:12,19; Ephesians 2:1-3,12; 1 John 1:8)

SALVATION-BEING RECONCILED TO GOD
We believe Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, alone made the once for all representative, substitutionary, sacrificial death of his own sinless life for the human race.   There is only one mediator between God and man-Christ Jesus.   He was buried and rose again from the dead.   He offers forgiveness of sin, a personal relationship with God the Father and eternal life to all who believe in him.   Salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone.   The salvation of sinners is completely a divinely initiated work of God's sovereign grace.   Yet his sovereign election (or, choosing) does not contradict or negate the responsibility of people to repent of sin and place faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.   In spiritual regeneration, he convicts of sin; he brings a person to repentance of sin; he draws a person to himself; he grants a person the ability to express faith in him; he declares a person to righteous, based on Christ's righteousness; he positionally makes a person holy. Salvation is of the Lord.   It is not on the basis of human merit or works; it is a gift from God. Our eternal security is assured by him.   (Matthew 20:28; Luke 24:27,44; John 1:12; 3:3,8,16,18,36; 5:24; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; John 14:1-6; 17:23; Acts 4:12; 5:31; 13:39; 16:20-33; Romans 3:24; 4:4,5; 5:1,8,9; 6:23; 8:1,28,30,37-39; 10:9-13; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 12:13; 15:1-3; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 5:17-21; 7:9,10; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 1:4,7,11,13,14; 2:1-10; 5:25-27; Philippians 3:9; Colossians 2:7-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:3,4; 5:23,24; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 2:5,6; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:10; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 2:14; 3:1; 7:24; 9:22,24; 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:1-5,18-19; 2:24; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 1:7; 2:2; 3:2; 5:1,11,12; Jude 24,25; Revelation 22:11)

THE CHURCH
We believe in the church or body of Christ, made up of all true believers (whether Jew or Gentile) in Christ since Pentecost; and that this bride of Christ is distinct from national Israel.   Persons are added to this unified body of New Testament believers by the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the point of true spiritual conversion.   The local manifestation of the church consists of baptized believers who meet together for worship, prayer, spiritual growth, teaching, the ordinances, fellowship and service to God.   The biblical officers for the local assembly are elders and deacons (for oversight and service), whose qualifications and duties are defined in the Scriptures.   Elders, while maintaining the priorities of the Word and prayer, are responsible for protecting, teaching and leading the church.   Deacons are responsible to be agents of Christ's mercy in the congregation-including service to the poor and needy.   Wherever God's people meet regularly in obedience to these teachings, there is the local expression of the church-under the watchcare of elders and other supportive leadership.   Its members are to work together in love and unity, intent on glorifying Jesus Christ who is the Head of the church.   We hold that the local church is autonomous; and we believe in the separation of church and state.   The church is to penetrate and reach the world with the saving message of the true gospel of Jesus Christ.   (Matthew 16:18; 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-47; 4:32-35; 6:2-7; 15:13-18; 20:17,27,28; 1 Corinthians 11:2; 12:12-26; 14:26,40; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5,19,23; Ephesians 1:22,23; 3:1-6; 4:11-16; 5:23; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18,24; 1 Thessalonians 5:12,13; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 4:14; 5:17,22; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; 4:1-5; Titus 1:6-9; Hebrews 12:23; 13:7,17; 1 Peter 5:1-5)

THE TWO CHURCH ORDINANCES
We believe in two (2) New Testament local church ordinances:   believer's baptism by immersion as a public testimony and witness to true identification with Christ as Savior; communion, or the Lord's Table, as a memorial and witness to the price of salvation from sin to be observed until Christ comes again.   Communion should be preceded by careful self-examination.   Neither ordinance is to be regarded as a means of salvation.   (Matthew 3:16; 26:26-30; 28:18-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41,42; 4:13; 8:36,38,39; 18:8; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 1:14-16; 10:16,17; 11:23-28; Colossians 2:12)

HOLY CHRISTIAN LIVING
We believe Christian living should be measured by the Holy Scriptures, not man-made traditions.   The Bible teaches that all believers in Christ are saints, set apart to God and responsible to live in a way that honors Him.   The lifestyle of the believer should be characterized by experiencing deeper fellowship with God the Father, developing the mind of Jesus Christ and reflecting the fruit of the Holy Spirit.   Each believer is on a lifetime journey of growth-changing and conforming to the image of God's Son.   In addition, as we actively witness the transforming power of Christ in a godless society, we commit ourselves to be discerning and to maintain holy alliances.   Separation points will be based upon the Biblical commands.   We make no distinction concerning an individual's ethnic, educational, economic or cultural background; because we acknowledge there is no preferential treatment with God.   (Matthew 10:34-39; 18:15-17; Mark 9:33-41; Romans 2:11; 12:1,2; 14:1-23; 16:17; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Galatians 1:8,9; 3:28; 5:16-25; 6:10; Ephesians 2:10; 4:22-24; 5:18; Philippians 1:6,14-18; Colossians 3:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:9,10; 4:1-7; 5:11-16; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6,14,15; 1 Timothy 2:1,2; 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:16-19; 3:1-5; Titus 2:5; 3:10; James 2:1-5; 4:4; 1 Peter 1:14-19; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 3:17,18; 1 John 2:15-17; 3:5-9; 2 John 7-11; Jude 1,3,4,16-23; Revelation 5:9)

THE FUTURE-THINGS TO COME
We believe in the personal, bodily, imminent and premillennial return of the Lord Jesus Christ for his church followed by his millennial reign over restored Israel and all the earth.   We also believe in the bodily resurrection of believers and non-believers: believers in Christ raised to life with God forever in heaven; and non-believers raised to eternal punishment in a literal hell.   The "blessed hope" has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer.   (Psalm 16:11; Isaiah 9:6,7; 11:1-9; Jeremiah 33; Daniel 9:25-27; Zechariah 14:4-11; Matthew 24:29-31; 25:31-46; Luke 1:30-33; 12:40; John 5:28,29; 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 2:29,30; 17:31; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 51-54; 2 Corinthians 5:8,10; Philippians 1:21-23; 3:20,21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; 2:3-8; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Titus 1:11-15; 2:13; Revelation 3:10; 19:11-16; 20:1-4,6,11-15; 21:1-5)