Beliefs
What We Believe
At Fidelis Church, we want our doctrine to be clear, biblical, and life-giving. We are a Christ-centered church that stands in the stream of historic Christian orthodoxy, embraces Baptist convictions, and is committed to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.
We gladly recognize the faithful witness of the historic church as confessed in the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed. We also stand within the Baptist tradition, shaped by the 1689 London Baptist Confession and the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. Because the gospel must be proclaimed to the nations, we also affirm the missionary burden reflected in the Lausanne Covenant.
Below is a brief summary of what we believe.
The Bible
We believe the Bible is God’s Word — true, trustworthy, and the supreme authority for what we believe and how we live. All Scripture bears witness to Jesus Christ.
God
We believe there is one true and living God, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is holy, loving, wise, righteous, and sovereign over all things.
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully man. He lived without sin, died for our sins, rose bodily from the dead, and reigns as Lord. He is the only Savior and the only way to the Father.
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit brings conviction, gives new birth, indwells believers, empowers holy living, and equips the church for worship, witness, and service.
Humanity and Sin
We believe all people are made in the image of God and therefore possess God-given dignity and worth. Yet all have sinned and stand in need of forgiveness and reconciliation through Christ.
Salvation
We believe salvation is by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. It includes the new birth, justification, sanctification, and final glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Christ.
The Church
We believe the church is the body of Christ, composed of all true believers. A local church exists to worship God, proclaim the gospel, make disciples, strengthen believers, and bear witness in the world.
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water as an act of obedience and public testimony of union with Christ. We believe the Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of remembrance and proclamation of Christ’s death until He comes.
The Christian Life
We believe Christians are called to walk in repentance, faith, obedience, holiness, prayer, love, and service. Growth in grace happens through the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the fellowship of the church.
Mission
We believe the church is called to proclaim the gospel to all people and to make disciples of all nations. Evangelism and missions are central to the church’s calling.
Last Things
We believe Jesus Christ will return, the dead will be raised, and God will bring His final judgment and everlasting kingdom. Our hope is in Christ and the life to come.
Read Our Full Statement of Faith
If you would like a fuller explanation of our doctrine and confessional commitments, please read our complete Statement of Faith.