This statement comprises the truths to which a person must hold and agree with fully in order to become a member at

Shepherd’s Community Church. This statement is separate from SCC’s comprehensive doctrinal statement, which serves

as a statement of what will be taught by those who teach at SCC. You do not need to agree with the entire comprehensive

doctrinal statement to become a member. For those interested in becoming members, please read the following and sign

below to affirm your agreement with this statement. It is recommended that you read the comprehensive doctrinal

statement as well, and feel free to ask a pastor if you have any questions.

1. The Bible is the inspired Word of God and is without error in the original manuscripts. As a result, the Bible is the only

infallible rule for what we believe and how we live.

2. There is only one true and living God who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each is fully

God, worthy of worship, and distinct in their roles in salvation. Yet, each member of the Trinity possesses the whole

divine essence, and that essence is undivided in each of them. God is holy, eternal, unchanging, faithful, sovereign, good,

righteous, loving, gracious, merciful, and dependent on none. God created the heavens and the earth, and as a result is the

sovereign Lord over all of creation.

3. Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. During His life on earth, He never sinned, and is sinless in His eternal nature.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin as the promised Messiah of the Old Testament.

4. The death of Jesus Christ on the cross was a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures.

5. Jesus Christ was resurrected bodily, ascended into heaven, and continues to live eternally in victory over sin and death

in Heaven. He will return again to judge all people.

6. The Holy Spirit is fully God; He is a person, and not an impersonal force or power. He indwells and empowers all who

trust in Christ for salvation.

7. Man was created in the image of God. Adam and Eve sinned against God in the garden, and as a result, all people are

sinners by nature and by conduct, and are under just condemnation before God apart from Jesus.

8. Salvation is by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone; it cannot be earned through works. It requires a

response on the part of an individual of belief in the gospel, repentance of sin, and trust in Jesus’ finished work on behalf

of sinners.

9. Christians are not perfect; they continue to battle sin in their lives until they die or Jesus returns. However, their lives

should be characterized by growth in godliness and in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. This happens as the Spirit

of God uses the Word of God to shape believers progressively into the image of Jesus Christ for the glory of God.

Therefore, disciplines such as the study of the Bible, prayer, worship, evangelism, fellowship with other Christians, and

devotion to family responsibilities and relationships are an indispensible part of every believer’s walk with God.

10. Heaven and Hell exist as real places where all people will spend eternity. Those who put their trust in Jesus Christ will

spend eternity in His glorious presence, but those who refuse to repent will suffer eternal judgment for their sins.