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Although Holt Christian Church is not a "creedal church"1, there are many principles that it shares with all Biblical churches.
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. It was delivered by God through men, but breathed by His Spirit into their hearts and minds, it was delivered to the original human authors, without error, in all it attests to.
We believe that God is One. There is one and only one God. As the New Testament of the Bible has fully revealed He is Spirit (John 4:24), and has eternally existed in three persons.
We believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah of God, Savior of the world. Jesus is the one and only one unique Son of the Father. Though God, He became flesh and lived among men to save us from our sins. He was fully God, and fully man.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is more than a force or field emanating from God. He is the third person of the Trinity or Godhead, the Comforter that Jesus Himself promised. The Spirit has a unique role in this Christian age in that He inhabits believers (1 Corinthians 6:19) and washes them in the water of regeneration and renewal (Titus 3:5) at the time of water baptism (Acts 2:38, Colossians 2:11). Christians have supernatural power to return love to God, and live a life of righteousness (though not perfect, yet).
Though not a Pentecostal or Charismatic church we believe that the Holy Spirit inhabits believers (1 Corinthians 6:19), and gives them real power for righteous living.
We believe that Jesus died for the sins of all humankind. As He died on the cross, He took the place of each and every one of us (1 Timothy 2:4-6; 1 John 2:2), that we might have life in Him by faith (1 Peter 1:18 & 19; 2:24; and 3:18).
We believe in the soon and sure coming of Jesus from heaven where even now he reigns with the Father (Revelation 5). The second coming of Jesus will be literal, visible, and historic (in time). A wide diversity of positions about the millennium and the end times are held by the members of the church. No millennial position is considered binding for membership.
We believe that all people are lost in their sin (Romans 3:23) and lost people may be saved by the grace of God ( it is a free gift, John 3:16; Romans 6:23), through faith in Jesus and His death in our place(Ephesians 2:8 & 9; 2 Corinthians 5:21), in the waters of baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Galatians 3:26 & 27), for the purpose of good works (Ephesians 2:10). All people will be judged in the end. The unrighteous will be condemned for their lack of faith. The redeemed, who have professed and lived a life of faith, will be further judged according to their works to receive a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8); great treasure stored up in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21; Philippians 3:12-14).
We believe that fellowship and service to one another and the community in general are essential to Christian growth (Acts 2:42; 5:13).
We believe that it is our opportunity and responsibility to share the good news that God has loved us with the gift of Jesus to the entire world (Matthew 28:18-20).
We believe that the earliest church existed in local groups, first meeting from house to house (Acts 2:46; 5:42), and in later centuries in special buildings. These individual churches shared much rich fellowship and maintained themselves in the power of God through the direction first of apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20). As the age of the apostles began to pass, from a very early time (Acts 14), these congregations of believers were cared for by elders (men who had the wisdom of years) who are also called pastors (shepherds) and overseers (administrators) 1 Peter 5:1 - 5.
Deacons also have been appointed since the earliest time as special servants of the church (Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:8-10 & 12 - 13).
Holt Christian Church has also chosen to hire a preaching minister whose occupation is to help the elders, deacons and members carry out their ministries. The minister fills this role through preaching, teaching, visitation, and coordination of many aspects of the church's life.
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