What We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of Brookhaven Church based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and are one God.

(Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 18:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is coequal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

(Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:15; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11;  1 Timothy 6:14; Titus 2:13)

The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under his control daily.

(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:2; Ephesians 5:18)

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.

(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 30:5)

In his original state, man was created free from sin and with a free will. But with his free will, man chose to disobey God and fell from his sinless state (the “fall”). With his sin, man brought upon himself and this created universe the consequences of sin and became fallen or depraved in his nature. Depravity does not mean that men are all equally bad, nor does it mean that they are as bad as they are capable of being, nor that they are incapable of doing good. But, it does mean that every part of man was affected by the fall. As a result of the corrupted sin nature that each person inherits, they will naturally choose to sin, because it is their nature to do so. Therefore, all men sin as soon as they become capable of moral action, because they are born with a sin nature.

(Ephesians 4:18; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 15:19; Romans 7:15-19, 8:7, 3:10; Mark 10:17)

Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

(Romans 6:23, 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26)

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.

(John 10:20; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 2 Peter 1:3-5)

For further study on what we believe, please read the Baptist Faith and Message.