Our Beliefs

1. We believe the Holy Bible to be the inspired Word of God, without any error, the all-sufficient authority in matters of faith, doctrine, and Christian living (II Tim. 3:16).
2. We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14).
3. We believe in the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23), and that He is true God and man (John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9; Tit. 2:13). He died on the cross for our sins (I Peter 3:18; I John 2:1-2). He rose bodily from the dead (John 2:18-22; I Cor. 15:3-5; I Peter 1:3), ascended into heaven (Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11) where He sits at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:32-33; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 1:1-3) and is now our High Priest (Heb.2:17, 3:1, 6:20) and Advocate (I Tim. 2:5, I John 2:1).
4. We believe that man was created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27) but fell into sin (Eccl. 7:20; Isa. 53:6; Rom. 5:12) and is, therefore, lost (Rom. 6:23). Only through regeneration by the work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3; Tit. 3:5) can man’s salvation and spiritual life be obtained.
5. We believe that eternal salvation is the free gift of God (Eph. 2:8), entirely apart from man’s works Eph. 2:9; Tit. 3:5a), and is possessed by any and all who have faith in and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior (John 3:16, 36; Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:9-11).
6. We believe in a regenerated church membership (Rom. 10:9-10; II Cor. 13:5; I John 2:19): that is, persons old enough to understand their need for Jesus Christ and, of their own free will, accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior.
7. We believe that baptism is by immersion (Matt. 3:16-17, 28:19; Acts 8:36-37) and the Lord’s Supper is a memorial (Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26) to His suffering and death on the cross. These are ordinances to be observed by the church in its present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means for man’s salvation.
8. We believe in the personal, bodily, imminent, and glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:10-11; Heb. 9:28; Rev. 1:7) and that His second coming inspires believers for dynamic and zealous life and service for Him while waiting for His return (I Thess. 5:23; I Peter 1:13; Jam. 5:7).
9. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, the everlasting blessedness of the saved in heaven, and the everlasting punishment and separation from God of the unsaved in hell (Dan. 12:2; John 3:36; Acts 24:15).
10. We believe in the autonomy of the local church. The church shall manage its own affairs and shall not be subject to any other religious body or organization (Eph. 1:22, 5:23; Col. 1:18, 2:10).
11. The Harvest Community Church subscribes to the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message as a larger Statement of Faith with scriptural references. We further agree with The Chicago Statement of Biblical Inerrancy and the Chicago Statement of Biblical Hermeneutics (Addendum A&B).

Sanctity of Human Life 

1. We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death.
2.  We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Ps. 139.) 

Sexuality

1. We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female.
2. These two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26-27).
3. Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person (Gen. 1:27).

Family

1. God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society.
2. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.
3. MARRIAGE: This biblical definition of marriage is motivated by the desire of The Harvest Community Church, FL, to present the God-given goal toward which those who are married or plan to marry should strive in Christ through the empowerment of the Spirit of God. This definition is not intended to be judgmental or condemning if the biblical goal is not achieved. All are in need of God's grace and forgiveness, and should therefore focus on extending the same grace and forgiveness when facing failure in marriage. It is vital that HCC adopts a spirit of redemption and restoration so our church is recognized as the primary source of help and encouragement during marital crises.
4. Definition of marriage. With this in mind, we believe that marriage is a God-ordained institution. God’s ideal and only design for marriage, as revealed in the Bible, is one man and one woman willingly committed to each other in a covenant relationship involving them, God, and the community of faith, living in harmony until death alone parts them. It is meant to be a relationship of equality in which mutual submission is demonstrated, where the wife, in unconditional and loving respect, willingly accepts her husband’s headship as appointed by God, and the husband unconditionally and sacrificially loves his wife as Christ loves the church. Marriage reaches its greatest fulfillment when both partners are submitted to the lordship of Jesus Christ. It is God’s ideal for marriage to be between two followers of Christ. God’s perfect plan also includes those whom He has gifted to remain single.
5. Purposes for marriage.  God’s purposes for marriage as given in the Bible are:
1. To procreate, nurture, and disciple children 
1. Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. 
2. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage.
3. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth.
4. Children are to honor and obey their parents.
2. To provide companionship.
3. To enable full expression of human sexuality. It is clear from scripture that sexual intercourse outside of marriage is contrary to God’s purpose.
4. To reflect Christ’s relationship to His church. Marriage should model the way God relates to His People. Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalms 78:1-8; 127; 128; 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6; 22:15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15, 17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Malachi 2:13-16; Matthew 6:14-15; 7:1-2; 7:12; 19:3-12; Mark 10:2-12; John 14:23; John 16:13; Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 7: 1-40; 10:31; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Galatians 6:1-3; Ephesians 4:32; 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Philippians 4:13; Colossians 3:13;  Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7; 1 John 1:8

To learn more about The Harvest Community Church's beliefs, please refer to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000