East Side Tabernacle is unified by these truths.
The Bible
Authority and Inspiration
We believe in the God-inspired original autographs of the Bible and the Authority of both the Old and New Testaments. We believe the Bible is the final authority for matters of faith and conduct. We believe most modern copies to be trustworthy and reliable for every work of the Church. We believe the Old Testament consists of 39 individual books, and the New Testament consists of 27 individual books (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
Humanity and the Fall
Creation, Sin, and Depravity
We believe God created man and woman in His image. However, we also believe in the Fall of humanity—when mankind sinned and became separated from a relationship with God—and that all humans share in man’s depravity and sinful nature.
(Genesis 1:26-27; 3:1-24; Romans 5:12)
Jesus Christ
His Person and Work
We believe in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is fully God and the eternal Son of God—the God-Man (John 1:1)—unified within the Holy Trinity. He took upon Himself the form of man through the virgin birth (Matthew 1:18-25). Jesus lived a sinless life, and atonement for sin was made by His death on the Cross.
(1 Peter 2:24; 3:18)
Salvation
Grace and Faith
We believe salvation is the gift of God by grace alone (Romans 6:23) and is received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone (Romans 10:9-11). Genuine faith is manifested by works pleasing to God.
(James 2:14-26)
Resurrection and Ascension
The Living Christ
We believe that Jesus lives! We believe in the resurrection of the physical, crucified body of Jesus Christ (John 20:24-29). We believe He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:6-11) and now intercedes and advocates for believers.
(Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2)
The Holy Spirit
His Deity and Ministry
We believe in the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is fully God (Acts 5:3-4), unified within the Holy Trinity, and is the promise of the Father. He is our Comforter, sent to convict the world of sin, to seal the believer in the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:13-14), to indwell believers, and to bestow spiritual gifts upon the Church.
(1 Corinthians 12:11)
The Ordinances
Baptism and Communion
We believe that the ordinances of the Church, as commanded by Christ, are water baptism by immersion (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38) and communion—the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-23). These ordinances are to be administered only to those who are Born Again.
Eternal Destiny
Heaven and Hell
We believe in the eternal salvation of all believers and in the eternal damnation and punishment of all non-believers.
(Revelation 20:11-15)
The Return of Christ
The Blessed Hope
We believe that the consummation of all things includes the visible, personal, and glorious return of Jesus Christ—the Church’s “Blessed Hope.”
(Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-16)
Marriage and Sexuality
God's Design for Marriage
We believe that God established marriage as a lifelong, exclusive relationship between one naturally born man and one naturally born woman. All sexual activity outside the marriage relationship—whether heterosexual, homosexual, or otherwise—is immoral and therefore sin.
(Genesis 2:24-25; Exodus 20:14, 17, 22:19; Leviticus 18:22-23; 20:13, 15-16; Matthew 19:4-6, 9; Romans 1:18-31; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 15-20; 1 Timothy 1:8-11; Jude 7)
Marriage between one man and one woman for life uniquely reflects Christ’s relationship with His Church (Ephesians 5:21-33) and serves as the foundational unit of a stable society (1 Corinthians 7:2).
Sanctity of Human Life
Value and Beginning of Life
We believe human life is good and created by God. Since we are uniquely made in God's image (Genesis 1:27) and formed by Him (Genesis 2:7; Job 33:4; Psalm 139:13–16), we affirm the sanctity of all human life (Genesis 9:6; Matthew 6:26). We believe human life begins at conception.
(Psalm 139:13–16; Jeremiah 1:4–5)