Core Beliefs
In essential beliefs - we have unity
There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all... Ephesians 4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs - we have liberty
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters... Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls... So then each of us will give an account of himself to God... So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God." Romans 14:1,4,12,22
In all our beliefs - we show charity
...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have no love, I amount to nothing at all." 1 Corinthians 13:2
The members of Sequoia firmly believe the following essential truths:
Trinity: We believe the God of the Bible is the only true God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Key Scripture: "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 2 Corinthians 13:14
Salvation by Grace: We believe a person comes into a right relationship with God by God's grace through faith in the atoning sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Key Scripture: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
Authority of the Bible: We believe the Bible is the Word of God so we seek to conform to its standards in belief and action.
Key Scripture: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Personal God: We believe God is involved in and cares about our daily life.
Key Scripture: "I lift my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121:1-8
Identity in Christ: We believe we are significant because of our position as children of God.
Key Scripture: "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husbands will, but born of God." John 1:12-13
Church: We believe the church is God's primary way to accomplish His purposes on earth today.
Key Scripture: "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Ephesians 4:15-16
Humanity: We believe all people are loved by God and need Jesus Christ as their Savior, because we have all sinned and sin separates us from a Holy God.
Key Scripture: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus." Romans 6:23
Compassion: We believe God calls all Christians to show compassion to those in need.
Key Scripture: "Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:3-4
Eternity: We believe there is a heaven and a hell, and we believe Jesus Christ is returning to judge the earth and establish His eternal kingdom.
Key Scripture: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14:1-4
Stewardship: We believe everything we are and have belongs to God.
Key Scripture: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:17-19
These form the essential beliefs of our faith.
There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all... Ephesians 4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs - we have liberty
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters... Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls... So then each of us will give an account of himself to God... So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God." Romans 14:1,4,12,22
In all our beliefs - we show charity
...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have no love, I amount to nothing at all." 1 Corinthians 13:2
The members of Sequoia firmly believe the following essential truths:
Trinity: We believe the God of the Bible is the only true God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Key Scripture: "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 2 Corinthians 13:14
Salvation by Grace: We believe a person comes into a right relationship with God by God's grace through faith in the atoning sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Key Scripture: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
Authority of the Bible: We believe the Bible is the Word of God so we seek to conform to its standards in belief and action.
Key Scripture: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Personal God: We believe God is involved in and cares about our daily life.
Key Scripture: "I lift my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121:1-8
Identity in Christ: We believe we are significant because of our position as children of God.
Key Scripture: "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husbands will, but born of God." John 1:12-13
Church: We believe the church is God's primary way to accomplish His purposes on earth today.
Key Scripture: "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Ephesians 4:15-16
Humanity: We believe all people are loved by God and need Jesus Christ as their Savior, because we have all sinned and sin separates us from a Holy God.
Key Scripture: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus." Romans 6:23
Compassion: We believe God calls all Christians to show compassion to those in need.
Key Scripture: "Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:3-4
Eternity: We believe there is a heaven and a hell, and we believe Jesus Christ is returning to judge the earth and establish His eternal kingdom.
Key Scripture: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14:1-4
Stewardship: We believe everything we are and have belongs to God.
Key Scripture: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:17-19
These form the essential beliefs of our faith.