What We Believe
We teach that man has the free will to reject or receive.
We believe that is how God measures the heart.
The Bible is the inspired Word of God and the final authority for faith and life.
We desire to faithfully teach God's Word in context, and obey the commands of Christ.
God
We believe there is one true and living Triune God,
eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
1 John 5:7 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
He is the Omnipresent, Omnipotent,
and Omniscient Creator and Redeemer of all things.
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1
He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins,
rose bodily from the grave, ascended into heaven, and will one day return in power and glory.
Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirits great work is to reveal Jesus Christ and the work of His Cross.
The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ,
He convicts the world of sin, draws people towards truth, gives new life to those who believe,
He is the indweller of God's people, and empowers us to live lives that demonstrate our faith.
Matthew 28:20 ...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Jesus words describe the Holy Ghosts work perfectly:
“And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness,
and of judgment.” John 16:8
We believe in the wonderful mystery of “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
The Bible
God speaks truth to us through His Word... IN CONTEXT
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son...” — Hebrews 1:1–2
The Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments testify to Jesus Christ.
“You search the Scriptures... and these are they which testify of Me.” — John 5:39
All Scripture is inspired, trustworthy, and authoritative.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God...” — 2 Timothy 3:16
God's Word is our foundation for faith, doctrine, and daily living.
Humanity
We believe every human life is precious from conception.
Every person is created in the image of God and possesses inherent dignity, value, and worth, even in our fallen condition.
No matter a person's background, failures, circumstances, appearance, or struggles,
that person bears the image of God, and is someone for whom Christ died.
“So God created man in His own image...” Genesis 1:27
Sin, Salvation, and Adoption
We believe all stand in need of salvation.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23
We believe salvation is by God's grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ.
We believe in the necessity of being born again,
evidenced by repentance toward God and faith in Christ.
No one can earn salvation through good works, religion, morality,or personal effort.
Forgiveness and eternal life are gifts. There is nothing we can add to their purchase
The greatest price has already been paid by the precious Son of God.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God”
John 1:12
Through Christ, we receive the adoption God offers us as His children:
“You received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” Romans 8:15
God's Invitation to All
We believe Jesus Christ died for all people.
1 John 2:2 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins,
and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
God's invitation of salvation is genuinely offered to everyone.
Revelation 22:17 Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
God does not force anyone to believe. Each accountable person may receive or reject the Gospel and must personally respond through repentance and faith.
The Church
The Church is the body of Christ, made up of all true believers in Jesus Christ.
We do not teach that our denomination is the only true church,
A local church serves a simple purpose: worship God, equip the Saints,
proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, teach His Word, and encourage one another.
At Heritage, those who minister are volunteers.
Baptism and the Lord's Supper
Baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God, and a public declaration that we identify with Christs death, burial, and ressurection.
We observe the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Christ's sacrifice
and in anticipation of His return.
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:26
Heritage Church presently observes the Lord's Supper annually as a special time of remembrance, examination, thanksgiving, and hope in Christ's return.
Perseverance and Faithfulness
We do not assume that every person who attends church,
or even everyone who claims the name of Christ, has truly been born again.
Rather, we urge every person to examine himself and to find assurance in a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. (Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 John 5:13)
God's grace is sufficient for believers to continue in faith and dependence upon Christ. (John 15:4-6; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 3:12-14)
When believers stumble, God's grace provides forgiveness, restoration, and renewed fellowship through confession and repentance. (1 John 1:9; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20)
The Return of Christ
We believe Jesus Christ will personally return. (Acts 1:11)
The dead will be raised, every person will stand before God,
and Christ will establish His eternal kingdom. (John 5:28-29; Romans 14:10-12)
For those who belong to Christ, His appearing will include
the resurrection of the flesh to everlasting life in His presence.
(John 5:28-29; 1 Corinthians 15:52-53; Philippians 3:20-21)
For those who have rejected Him, His coming will bring righteous judgment.
(2 Thessalonians 1:7-10)
Heaven, Resurrection,
and Judgment
The souls of believers who die are immediately with the Lord.
“...to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8
When Christ returns, there will be a resurrection and redemption of the flesh.
(John 5:28-29; Romans 8:23; Philippians 3:20-21)
God will completely redeem and restore His children, without corruption, suffering, disease, disability, or death. (1 Cor 15:42-44, 52-54; Revelation 21:4; and 22:3)
It will be the greatest family reunion creation has ever known, and it will never end!
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; John 14:2-3; Revelation 22:5)
Those who die apart from Christ are reserved for judgment,
and God's judgment will always be perfectly just and right. (Hebrews 9:27; Rev 20:11-15)
Regarding children, we trust them to the grace of God as stated above.
All creation is morally accountable to the Reality of God (Romans 1)
and the gracious salvation purchased for them at immeasurable cost through Jesus Christ.
(Romans 2)
Children and the Grace of God
We believe the most important people are children.
Their identity is not determined by culture, popularity, ability, appearance, or the opinions of others, but by the God who created them. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:13-16)
In a world filled with deception, we teach our children the truth of God's Word
and point them to Jesus Christ. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4)
The church has a responsibility to welcome, protect, teach, and care for children.
Jesus repeatedly warns against causing them harm. (Matthew 18:5-6; Mark 9:37)
Children should never be viewed as a distraction from ministry.
They are the most precious people God has entrusted to our care. (Matthew 18:10)
We believe children who die are received safely into the presence of God.
We base this confidence upon the character of God, and the words of Christ concerning children, and the testimony of Scripture. (Matthew 19:14; 2 Samuel 12:23; Mark 10:14)
Christian Living
We believe genuine faith in Jesus Christ should change the way we live.
We take seriously the teachings of Jesus, especially the Sermon on the Mount.
We understand His commands not merely as ideals to admire,
but as the way His followers are called to live.
love God, love your neighbors, show mercy, forgiveness,
care for the vulnerable, and serve those in need.
“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
Our faith should not consist merely of kind words
Our Mission
We are a local church family compelled by the love of Christ,
committed to the truth of God's Word,
and called to serve Him where He has placed us, in Greenfield, California.
“For the love of Christ compels us...” — 2 Corinthians 5:14
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Heritage Church is an autonomous local church affiliated with the National Association of Free Will Baptists. While we embrace the historic doctrines and practices of Free Will Baptists, the governance and ministry of Heritage Church are directed by the local congregation under the authority of Scripture and the Lordship of Jesus Christ.