Purpose and Mission Statement

PURPOSE

The chief objective of Gateway Church of Brawley will be to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 1:3-14). In recognition of this purpose, we will endeavor to conduct our lives and services in a worshipful way, with the reality of God in view, so that we may ascribe to Him and reflect back to Him, as He enables the characteristics of what He is, especially His truth, holiness and love.

A consequent purpose of Gateway Church of Brawley will be to edify one another, that is to build up toward Christ-like maturity (1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 4:16). This will call for the sharing of God’s truth in the teaching and studying of God’s Word, for publishing of whatever materials will aid in spiritual growth, for the living of holy lives, and for a loving fellowship in the things of Christ, sharing whatever we have with one another as others have need and as God may direct.

As well as edification, a parallel purpose of Gateway Church of Brawley will be to involve others in world-wide evangelism (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8) This may be accomplished by declaring God’s good news about Christ to those who live near us and by sending missionaries under God’s direction to do the same in other places across the world. We will endeavor by God’s power to manifest changed lives in all our relationships and to show Christ’s compassion wherever people are needy and suffering.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

In Essential Beliefs — We have unity

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all…—Ephesians 4:4-6

In Non-Essential Beliefs — We have Liberty

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters...Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls...So then each of us will give an account of himself to God...So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God—Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22

In All Beliefs — We show Charity

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.—I Corinthians 13:2

1. ABOUT THE BIBLE

We believe the Bible is God’s inspired Word written to us by human authors, acting 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. 2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 12:6, 119:105; Proverbs 30:5; Mark 13:31; John 8:31; Acts 20:32

2. ABOUT GOD (THE TRINITY)

We believe God is the Creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally exited in three persons: 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; Isaiah 48:16; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1-3; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24

3. ABOUT GOD THE FATHER

We believe God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, and all-wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men. Genesis 1:1; Matthew 28:19; John 14:6-13; Luke 10:21-22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16, 6:27; Romans 8:15-17

4. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

We believe 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 1:18-25; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1-5, 14; 14:10-30; 20:28; Romans 1:3-4; 9:5; Acts 1:9-11; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:21-23; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Colossians 1:15-20

5. ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe 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. Ephesians 1:13; 5:18; John 14:16-17; 15:26-27; 16:9-14; Romans 8:9, 26; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; Galatians 5:22-26; Mark 13:11

6. ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS

We believe 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 had 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 1:26-27; 2:15-17; 3:1-19; Ecclesiastes 2:11; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; 59: 1-2; 64:6; Romans 3:23

7. ABOUT SALVATION

We believe salvation is a gift of the Father and is secured by Christ’s atonement and is sealed by the Holy Spirit; therefore, true believers cannot lose their true salvation. One must believe in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus to be saved. Romans 5:1, 8; 6:23; 8:1-39; 10:9; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Psalm 16; John 10:28-29; 14:1-16:33; 2 Corinthians 3:1-4:18; 1 John 3:1-2

8. ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

We believe the Christian life is a life of obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ and is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit, the greatest of which is love. This results in a transformation of mind and will that seeks to be like Jesus in attitude and purpose through the power and work of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22; Acts 1:8; 2:42; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 2:19-22; 5:19-21; Philippians 21:1-5; Hebrews 10:23-25; 2 Peter 1:3-11

9. ABOUT THE ORDINANCES

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Christian baptism is the immersion of the believer in water into the name of the triune God. The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of his death. These two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

10. ABOUT ETERNITY

We believe 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, also known as Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. Matthew 16:27; 25:41; Mark 14:62; John 3:16, 14:3, Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:1-58; Philippians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12; 2 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 20:4-6, 11-15; 21:1-22:5

11. SATAN

We believe Satan is the enemy of God and the people of God. We believe that Satan was judged at the Cross. At the second coming of Christ, Satan will be eternally bound and cast into the abyss. Revelation 12:9-12; 20:1–3, 1 Peter 5:8

12. ABOUT MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

We believe marriage is between one man and one woman. Marriage is the only legitimate and acceptable context for a sexual relationship. The husband is the spiritual leader of the home and is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit to her husband as unto the Lord. Children are to obey their parents in the Lord. Parents are to raise their children in the training and admonition of the Lord. Mark 10:6-8; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; Ephesians 5:22-33; Hebrews 13:4

13. ABOUT PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

We believe that ministries to children and teenagers should be given high priority, but scripture teaches that it is the parent’s God-given responsibility to bring up their child in the fear and admonition of the Lord, by instructing them and living out the life of Christ before them. Psalm 127:3-5; Deuteronomy 6:1-3, 20-25; Proverbs 13:24; 22:6; 23:13-14; 29:15; Ephesians 6:1-3; Hebrews 12:7-11