Who We Are
At Gardena Valley Baptist Church, our mission is to help people discover Jesus and become His fully devoted followers. As Jesus says in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” We strive to build strong relationships with Jesus and with one another so that we can bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God.
Our Beliefs
Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
Reference: John 3:16, John 14:17, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:17-18, Revelation 20:15, 1 Corinthians 2:7-9
Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sins 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 as our Lord, in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Reference: Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 14:6, John 1:12, Titus 3:5, Galatians 3:26, Romans 5:1
Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character and in relationships. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. God’s love is calling us to turn back to a relationship with Him and to become His children.
Reference: Genesis 1:27, Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2
The Bible
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.
Reference: 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20, 21, 2 Timothy 1:13, Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal 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 to be used to build up the Body of Christ. As Christians, we seek to live daily under His control.
Reference: 2 Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13, John 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 2:12, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 5:18
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. God raised Jesus from the dead after three days to demonstrate God’s power over sin and death. Jesus ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Reference: Matthew 1:22-23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5, John 14:10-30, Hebrews 4:14-15, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3, Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15, Titus 2:13
God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. God is love, God is relational, God is just, and God is present at all times.
Reference: Genesis 1:1,26,27, Genesis 3:22, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, 1 Peter 1:2, 2 Corinthians 13:14