707-763-2277
580 Sonoma Mountain Pkwy,
Petaluma, CA 94954

What We Believe

OUR APPROACH AT PVBC

 

 

 

 

In essential beliefs and practices—we have unity.

  • “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6)

In non-essential beliefs and practices—we have liberty.

  • “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions … So then each of us will give an account of himself to God … The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves … Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:1, 12, 22, 4)

In all our beliefs and practices—we show charity.

  • “And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2)

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THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE

1. God

  • God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. God is one and  eternally exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
    • Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22
    • Psalms 90:2
    • Matthew 28:19
    • 1 Peter 1:2
    • 2 Corinthians 13:14 

2. Jesus Christ

  • Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return some day to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
    • Hebrews 4:14-15
    • 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
    • John 1:1-5; 14:10-30
    • Romans 1:3-4
    • Matthew 1:22-23
    • Isaiah 9:6
    • Acts 1:9-11
    • 1 Timothy 6:14-15
    • Titus 2:13

3. The Holy Spirit

  • The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with the power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit and live under His control.
    • 2 Corinthians 3:17
    • John 16:7-13; 14:16-17; 15:5
    • Acts 1:8
    • 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16
    • Ephesians 1:13; 5:18-19
    • Galatians 5:25
    • Philippians 2:13

4. The Bible

  • The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, the Bible is completely reliable and trustworthy, the truth without any mixture of error.
    • 2 Timothy 3:15-16; 1:13
    • 2 Peter 1:20-21
    • Psalms 119:105, 160; 12:6
    • Proverbs 30:5

5. Human Beings

  • People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
    • Genesis 1:27
    • Psalm 8:3-6
    • Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1-2
    • Romans 3:23

6. Salvation

  • Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
    • Romans 6:23; 5:1
    • Ephesians 2:8-9
    • John 14:6; 1:12
    • Titus 3:5
    • Galatians 3:26 

7. Eternal Security

  • Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
    • John 10:27-29
    • Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:8-9
    • 2 Timothy 1:12
    • Romans 8:30

8. Eternity and Resurrection

  • People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. As Christians who believe Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, we hope for and believe in the future resurrection of our bodies and life eternal with Christ.
  • John 3:16; 14:17
  • Romans 6:23; 8:17-18
  • Revelation 20:15
  • 1 Corinthians 2:7-9; 6:14
  • 2 Corinthians 4:14
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
  • 1 Corinthians 15