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 beliefs we hold tightly at Sojourn.
Revelation: We believe God has graciously made Himself known to the world in creation, the Scriptures, and Jesus Christ.
God has revealed His eternal power, divine nature, and glory in creation, so that the creation bears constant witness to its Creator. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the perfect revelation of who God is — “the image of the invisible God” and “the exact imprint of his nature.” The Scriptures, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God, which is authoritative and without error in its original writings, complete in its revelation of His will for salvation, and sufficient for all that God requires us to believe and do. (Psalm 19:1–11; John 1:18, Colossians 1:15, Romans 1:20; Hebrews 1:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21)
God (The Trinity): We believe in one God, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons who share one divine essence.
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)
Jesus: We believe Jesus is the eternal Son of God who lived sinlessly, died sacrificially, rose victoriously, and will return.
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)
Humanity: We believe that all humanity is created in the image of God and therefore possesses intrinsic dignity and is sinful by nature and therefore is in need of salvation.
All humanity is created in the image of God and therefore possesses intrinsic value and dignity. Every human, excluding Jesus, 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)
Salvation: We believe salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
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)
Resurrection of the Dead: We believe that Jesus Christ is returning to the world in the future to judge the living and 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)
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. We will preach, teach, and counsel with these views in mind.
Baptism by Immersion for Believers
Baptism is reserved for professing Christians. 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)
Complementarian Roles of Men and Women in the Church and the Home
Men and women are equally loved by God and equally valuable. They are also distinct by divine design. As part of God’s good created order, men and women are to have different yet complementary roles and responsibilities in the home and church. As it relates to the church, men and women are both able to lead; however, the office of elder is reserved for qualified men. (Genesis 2:18; Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Timothy 2:12, 3:2; Titus 1:5-9)
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is still active today and the gifts of the Holy Spirit described in the New Testament are still available to Christians today. These gifts did not cease with the close of the New Testament or the death of the last apostle. (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12-14; 1 Peter 4:10-11)
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 cannot lose their salvation. They 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)