Mt. Horeb’s theological beliefs describe our key aspects of our faith. We are Centered in Christ and His message, we desire to base our beliefs on biblical theology and not speculation or strictly man’s tradition or beliefs. Our beliefs are from biblical scripture both Old Testament and New Testament.
We Believe the sole basis of our belief is the Bible. The Bible has 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe Scripture in its entirety originated with God and He revealed it to chosen authors. Scripture speaks with the authority of God while simultaneously reflecting the backgrounds, styles, and vocabularies of these human authors. We hold that the Scriptures, in their original manuscripts, are infallible and inerrant; they are the unique, full, and final authority on all matters of faith and practice. Biblical Scriptures related to the Authority of the Scripture: Matt 28:18-20; Luke 6:46; 2 Tim 2:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Rom 1:16.
We believe in God as a Spirit. God is externally existing in three equal persons (Trinity)—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the beginning, God demonstrated His power, wisdom, and goodness by creating the world and everything in it. Through His divine power and providence, God continues to sustain His creation, operating within history to fulfill His redemptive purposes. Biblical Scriptures related to God: Heb 11:6; Psalm 13:1; Psalm 52:1; Gen 1:1
We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal second person of the Trinity, was fully united with a human nature by a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He lived in perfect obedience to the Father, voluntarily paid the price for the sins of all people by dying on the cross as their substitute, and satisfied divine justice, bringing salvation to all who trust in Him alone. After His physical death, Jesus Christ rose from the dead and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. Jesus will return as He promises, personally and visibly, to fulfill history and the eternal plan of God. Biblical Scriptures related to Jesus Christ: Gen 3:15; Heb 4:15; Matt 28:2-6; Heb 7:25; 1John 2:1; Rom 10:4; Matt 5:17; Acts 3:22; Matt 4:10; Rev 19:16; Luke 6:46.
We Beleive in the Holy Spirit. People in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ are to live in holiness and obedience as they submit to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit renews and indwells each believer upon salvation, becoming their source of assurance, strength, wisdom, and gifting for building up the church of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying the Bible. The Holy Spirit’s power and control empowers believers to lead a life of Christ-like character and bear fruit for the Father’s glory. Biblical Scriptures related to the Holy Spirit: Eph: 5:18; John 20:2; Acts 11:17; Luke 12:12; John 14:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 10:44-47.
We believe in Salvation. The central purpose of God’s revelation in Scripture is to call people into fellowship with Him. Originally created to be in relationship with God, humans defied Him by going their own independent way, resulting in alienation from Him and the innate inability to please God. This fall took place at the beginning of human history, with Adam and man’s fall affects all mankind forever. All mankind since then have suffered these consequences and are in need of the saving grace of God. Sinners are lost because they do don’t believe in Jesus Christ. Salvation is all of God, we cannot be saved by works ONLY grace! To be saved we must believe in Jesus Christ and confess as described in Romans 10:9-10. Salvation is for all mankind, all confess, repent and believe in Jesus Christ. Salvation is the only way to New Birth an access to the Kingdom of God. Biblical Scriptures related to Salvation: John 3: 3,14-18; Romans 10:9-10; Rom 6:23; John 1:13; Eph 1:13 & 2:8-9; Acts 16:30-31.
We believe in the Church. All who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are united with Him as members of His body, the one true church. Scripture commands believers to gather for worship, prayer, fellowship, and the teaching of the Word; to observe Baptism and Communion as established by Jesus Christ; to offer service to the body through development and use of talents and gifts and outreach to the world. The local expression of the church is wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to this command. Cared for and led by Elders and leaders, church members are to work together in love and unity for the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ. Biblical Scriptures related to the church: Matt 23:5-8; Matt 20:24-28; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4, Eph 5:23-24.
We believe in Baptism by immersion. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward commitment to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Mt. Horeb believes the decision to be baptized is up to the individual and that he or she must fully understand what it means to be a Christ follower. Biblical Scripture related to baptism: Matt 3:13-17; Luke 1:44; Romans 6:3; Luke 23:42-43; Matt 28:19-20.
We believe in Communion/the Lord’s Supper. During Jesus’ last days, He gathered the disciples in a room and asked them to consume bread and wine “in remembrance” of Him. Two thousand years later, we regularly observe the act of consuming bread and grape juice as a community for the exact same reason—to remember our Savior, who sacrificed Himself (the Lamb of God) for our sins. The bread and the cup symbolize the broken body of Jesus Christ. Biblical Scriptures related to the Lord’s Supper; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Cor 11:18; 1 Cor 11:17-25
We believe in Biblical Leadership of the church. The Pastor is the spiritual overseer of the church and the biblical deacon is pastor’s assistant to ensure people are served. Biblical Scriptures related to pastors and deacons: Acts 20:28; Acts 6:2-4.