OUR BELIEFS

Explore our beliefs and guiding principles: Unity in essential beliefs, freedom in non-essential beliefs, and charity in all our convictions.

WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT...

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.

(Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

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. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:25)

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 a 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 again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

(Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)

HUMAN BEINGS

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. 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.

(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23)

SALVATION

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 5:1, 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12, 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26)

ETERNAL SECURITY

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 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)

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.

(John 3:16, 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9)

BAPTISMS...

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISMS?

It illustrates Christ’s BURIAL and resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Colossians 2:12)
It illustrates my NEW LIFE as a Christian. Baptism doesn’t make you a believer – it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not “save” you; only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring – it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4; Ephesians 2:8-9)

WHO IS BAPTISM FOR?

Every person who has BELIEVED in Christ.

“Those who believed and accepted His message were baptized..” (Acts 2:41)
“Simon himself believed and was baptized….” (Acts 8:13)
“But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News…and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Acts 8:12)

At +New Evergreen, we wait until our children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them. Some churches practice a “baptism of confirmation” for children. This ceremony is intended to be a covenant between the parents and God on the behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his own personal confession of Christ. This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed.

This is different from the baptism talked about in the Bible, which was only for those old enough to believe. The purpose is to publicly confess your personal commitment to Christ.

At Evergreen, we encourage people who have been “confirmed” as a child to consider baptism by water as an adult.

WHY DO YOU PRACTICE BAPTISM BY IMMERSION?

Because JESUS was baptized that way. (Matthew 3:16)
Every baptism in the NEW TESTAMENT was by immersion. (Acts 8:38-39)
The word “Baptize” means to DIP UNDER water”. The Greek word baptizo means “to immerse or dip under water”.
It best symbolizes a burial and resurrection!
Martin Luther…”I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word imports and the mystery signifies.”
John Calvin…”The word ‘baptize’ signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church.”
John Wesley…”Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church.”

HOW DO I GET BAPTISED?

When Should I Be Baptized? There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized. If you wait until you are “perfect”, you’ll never feel “good enough”! (Acts 2:41, 8:35-38)
Can my family be baptized together? Yes! If each family member understands fully the meaning of baptism, and each one has personally placed his/her trust in Christ for salvation, we encourage families to be baptized at the same time. It is a wonderful expression of commitment. We offer a “First Steps” class for children. “First Steps” will be offered through our Children’s Ministry.However, it is important to remember that baptism is a personal statement of faith, not a family tradition. It is usually not wise to delay your baptism while waiting on other family members to accept Christ, particularly children. This puts an undue pressure on them, and delays your obedience.
What should I wear when I am baptized? Women should wear dark colored shorts and a top over a one-piece swimsuit. Men may wear dark colored shorts and top. Bring a change of clothes, a towel, and a plastic bag for your wet clothes. We provide changing rooms.
Will I have to say anything? At the beginning of the service, the pastor will briefly explain the meaning of baptism. You will wait at the edge of the pool for your turn to be baptized. The pastor will introduce you, ask you a few questions, briefly lower you just under the water, and then you can leave the pool, dry off, and watch the others. Later you will be mailed a certificate of your baptism. We encourage you to invite all your relatives and friends to attend your baptism.
Special Needs? Pastors can perform a private baptism in special circumstances.

COMMUNION (THE LORD'S SUPPER)

WHAT IS COMMUNION?

1 Corinthians 11:23-26
It is a SIMPLE ACT. “The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread…” (v. 23)
It is a REMINDER. “…and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; eat it in remembrance of me.'” (v. 24)
It is a SYMBOL; but not a mere SYMBOL. “In the same way, He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; drink it to remember me.'” (v. 25)
It is a STATEMENT OF FAITH. “For whenever you eat the bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes back.” (v. 26)

HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR COMMUNION?

"Therefore whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A person ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup." 1 Corinthians 11:27-28

Prepare yourself by:

Self-Examination (1 Corinthians 11:27)
Confessing My Sins (1 John 1:9)
Recommitment (Romans 12:1)
Restoring Relationships (Matthew 5:23-24)

OUR BELIEFS

WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT...

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.

(Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

THE HOLY SPIRIT

JESUS CHRIST

THE BIBLE

HUMAN BEINGS

(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23)

SALVATION

ETERNAL SECURITY

ETERNITY

BAPTISMS...

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISMS?

WHO IS BAPTISM FOR?

WHY DO YOU PRACTICE BAPTISM BY IMMERSION?

HOW DO I GET BAPTISED?

COMMUNION (THE LORD'S SUPPER)

WHAT IS COMMUNION?

HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR COMMUNION?

WHO SHOULD TAKE COMMUNION?

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU TAKE COMMUNION?

OUR BELIEFS

WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT...

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. (Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

BAPTISMS...

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISMS?

COMMUNION (THE LORD'S SUPPER)

WHAT IS COMMUNION?

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.

(Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)