What we believe matters! We are all theologians, because we all have beliefs about God, humanity, and the world. We hope that the following summary of Sojourn's doctrine is helpful.
Primary Doctrines Of Sojourn Church
The following beliefs represent the core of orthodox Christianity. These are closed handed issues, or beliefs we hold tightly, at Sojourn.
God (The Trinity)
There is only one God who eternally exists as one essence and three distinct persons. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are each fully, equally, and eternally God, yet there is one God.
(Genesis 1:26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 45:6-7, 110:1; Isaiah 45:5-6, 46:9-10; Matthew 3:13-17, 28:17-20; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, 12:4-6)
(Genesis 1:26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 45:6-7, 110:1; Isaiah 45:5-6, 46:9-10; Matthew 3:13-17, 28:17-20; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, 12:4-6)
Revelation
God reveals Himself to the world through Jesus Christ, the scriptures, and creation. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the “image of the invisible God.” The scriptures, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, are the inspired word of God and therefore authoritative, sufficient, and without error in their original writings.
(Psalm 19:7-11; John 5:19; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:15; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1-3; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
(Psalm 19:7-11; John 5:19; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:15; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1-3; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
Jesus
Jesus Christ is the Son of God who has existed eternally. He was born of a virgin, and is both fully God and fully human. He lived a sinless life. He died as a substitute for those that trust Him and look to Him to pay the penalty for their sins. Jesus physically rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will one day physically return.
(Matthew 1:20, 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 2:52, 24:1-53; John 1:1-4, 1:14, 1:29, 10:1-18, 14:3; Acts 1:11; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 15:12-34; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; Colossians 1:15-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Hebrews 1:1-3, 9:28; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 1:7)
(Matthew 1:20, 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 2:52, 24:1-53; John 1:1-4, 1:14, 1:29, 10:1-18, 14:3; Acts 1:11; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 15:12-34; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; Colossians 1:15-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Hebrews 1:1-3, 9:28; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 1:7)
Humanity
All humanity is created in the image of God and therefore possesses intrinsic value and dignity. Every human, Jesus excluded, is sinful by nature and by action. The deserved penalty for sin is death, both physical and spiritual.
(Genesis 1:27-30, 6:5, 2:15-17; Genesis 3:19; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 3:23, 5:8, 5:12-21, 7:18; Romans 6:23; James 1:14-15)
(Genesis 1:27-30, 6:5, 2:15-17; Genesis 3:19; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 3:23, 5:8, 5:12-21, 7:18; Romans 6:23; James 1:14-15)
The Resurrection of the Dead
There will be a future physical resurrection of the dead. Those who trust in Jesus Christ alone will be raised to eternal reward. Those who have not trusted in Jesus Christ will be raised to eternal punishment.
(Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15)
(Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15)
Salvation
Salvation is only by grace through faith in the life, the death on the cross, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. All who receive the Lord Jesus Christ through faith become children of God and are declared righteous by God.
No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born again.
(John 3:5-8, 3:18, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 10:19-25)
No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born again.
(John 3:5-8, 3:18, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 10:19-25)
Secondary Doctrines Of Sojourn Church
The Secondary Doctrines reflect some of what distinguishes Sojourn Church from other churches who would affirm the Primary Doctrines. These Secondary Doctrines shape the way that Sojourn is led and the direction the church is headed. We will preach, teach, and counsel with these views in mind.
Baptism by Immersion for Believers
Baptism is reserved for professing Christians. Also, immersion offers a beautiful picture of the gospel truths
of death to our old way of life and new life through the resurrection power of Jesus.
(Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 18:8; Romans 6:1-14)
of death to our old way of life and new life through the resurrection power of Jesus.
(Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 18:8; Romans 6:1-14)
The Complementarian Roles of Men and Women in the Church and the Home
Men and women are equally loved by God and equally valuable. God calls men to lead in their homes and in the church.
(Genesis 2:18; Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Timothy 2:12, 3:2)
(Genesis 2:18; Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Timothy 2:12, 3:2)
The Active Giving of Gifts to Christians by the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is still active today and that all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit described in the New Testament are still available to Christians today.
(Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12-14; 1 Peter 4:10-11)
(Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12-14; 1 Peter 4:10-11)
The Sovereignty of God
God is sovereign over all things, including salvation. God’s sovereignty in no way diminishes the responsibility of man, but the responsibility of man should in no way be allowed to downplay the absolute sovereignty of God over all things. (Deuteronomy 32:39; Psalm 147:15-18; Proverbs 21:1; Isaiah 40:26, 46:8-11; Matthew 10:29-30; John 6:44; Acts 4:24; Romans 6:1-23, 8:29-30, 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Galatians 6:8-10; Ephesians 1:4-5, 1:11; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 6:10)
Perseverance of Christians
Those who are truly Christians have the Holy Spirit and will continue to believe the gospel and demonstrate evidence of salvation throughout their lives.
(John 10:28-29; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 3:6, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 2:3-4, 19)
(John 10:28-29; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 3:6, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 2:3-4, 19)