At Highlands Community Church, we joyfully affirm our identity as a confessional Reformed Baptist Church, governed by a plurality of elders who shepherd the flock under the authority of Jesus Christ. Our beliefs are rooted in the authority of God’s Word, shaped by the historic confessions of the faith, and applied to today’s world with clarity, conviction, and compassion.
We believe that theology matters—because what we believe about God, humanity, salvation, and the church shapes how we live, love, worship, and serve. Our core doctrines align with the historic Reformation principles of Scripture alone, Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone, and to the glory of God alone, and we hold firmly to the sovereign grace of God in salvation and the authority of the local church under the headship of Jesus Christ.
Our Core Beliefs
While our full doctrinal standards are outlined in the historic documents below, here is a summary of our foundational convictions:
- God – We affirm the doctrine of an eternal Triune God; three persons co-existing as one God. This is, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that God is the creator of the universe and all that is in it, that He is the King over His Creation, and desires both loyalty and love from all people. He is without change, just, holy, all knowing, all present, all powerful, the supreme judge over all, yet full of mercy and compassion.
- Jesus Christ – We affirm that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (co-equal, yet submissive to the Father) who was manifested in flesh as a fulfillment of all Old Testament promises for a Messiah. We believe that Jesus, who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life and then died a bloody death on the cross according to the pre-ordained plan of God. We believe that His death on the cross was substitutionary, in that He died in the place of all those who would believe in Him through faith. We believe that after three days, Jesus was physically raised from the dead and that He ascended to the presence of His Father in Heaven. We believe that He will physically return to this earth in judgment and that He will establish His Kingdom.
- The Holy Spirit – We affirm that the Holy Spirit is a person in the God-head who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment and that he is the supernatural agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. He is also continually filling believers with himself as they surrender to this and leading those who seek his direction. He also fills his people for the bold proclamation of the gospel .
- God’s Word – We affirm that the Bible is inspired, inerrant, sufficient, and is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
- Creation & Providence – We affirm that God created the world out of nothing and upholds all things by His power and providence.
- Humanity & Sin – We affirm that all people are made in God’s image but have fallen into sin through Adam. We are by nature spiritually dead and in need of salvation.
- The Gospel of Grace – We affirm that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to the sovereign will of God.
- Baptism & the Lord’s Supper – We affirm that baptism is for believers only, by immersion; the Lord’s Supper is a sacred remembrance for the church.
- The Church – We affirm that every believer should be a part of a local body of baptized believers committed to worship, discipleship, fellowship, and mission under the authority of Christ.
- Christian Living – We affirm that God calls His people to holiness, repentance, perseverance, and joyful obedience in every area of life.
- The Last Things – We affirm that Christ will return to judge the living and the dead; believers will dwell forever with God in a new heaven and new earth.
Our Doctrinal Foundations
Our mission as a church is simple: to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ through the faithful preaching of the Word, the celebration of the sacraments, the fellowship of the saints, and the proclamation of the gospel to our neighbors and the nations. The doctrinal foundations below express the core truths that shape our life together as a church. Each one serves as a guide to help us remain anchored in the Word of God, faithful to sound doctrine, and clear in our gospel witness.
The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith
We affirm the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith as faithfully representing the doctrines we hold to be true. This confession is a faithful, time-tested summary of biblical truth, crafted by a generation of Reformed Baptists committed to the authority of Scripture, the centrality of Christ, and the necessity of gospel-centered churches. The 1689 helps us remain rooted in the historic Christian faith while offering clarity on distinctives such as believer’s baptism, congregational polity, and covenant theology. It is not a replacement for Scripture but a trustworthy guide that aligns with the whole counsel of God.
The Baptist Catechism
To help teach and disciple believers, we also affirm the use of the Baptist Catechism. Structured in a question-and-answer format, the catechism addresses essential topics such as the nature of God, the work of Christ, the Ten Commandments, and the means of grace. It serves as a valuable resource for grounding believers—both young and old—in the rich theological heritage of our faith, promoting doctrinal clarity and spiritual growth. While not a replacement for Scripture, the Baptist Catechism aligns with our commitment to biblical teaching and provides a concise summary of the truths we hold dear. We encourage our members to engage with this catechism as a means of deepening their understanding of God’s Word and its application to our lives.
📖 Explore The Baptist Catechism
The Nashville Statement
In an age of confusion regarding gender, sexuality, and human identity, we affirm the Nashville Statement as a faithful declaration of the biblical view of marriage, gender, and sexuality. We believe that God created humanity male and female, in His image, and that marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. As a church, we desire to speak the truth in love, holding fast to God’s design for human flourishing while extending grace and compassion to those in need of gospel hope and healing.
📖 Read the Nashville Statement
The Statement on Social Justice & the Gospel
We affirm the Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel to clarify our position on matters of race, justice, and the gospel’s sufficiency. We reject any ideology—whether secular or religious—that redefines justice apart from God’s revealed Word or that undermines the power of the gospel to reconcile sinners to God and to one another. This statement helps us remain grounded in the biblical gospel, resist cultural distortions, and proclaim the only true hope for justice and unity found in Jesus Christ.
📖 Read the Statement on Social Justice
Historic Christian Creeds
At Highlands, we recognize the importance of the historic creeds of the Christian faith. These creeds—crafted in the early centuries of the church—serve as foundational summaries of biblical doctrine, articulating essential truths about the nature of God and the gospel. While our primary doctrinal standard is always Scripture, these creeds have significantly shaped Christian theology and continue to inform our faith today.
The Apostles’ Creed
The Apostles’ Creed is one of the earliest summaries of Christian belief, traditionally attributed to the apostles themselves. It succinctly outlines core doctrines such as the Trinity, the incarnation, and the resurrection. This creed has been used throughout church history as a teaching tool and a confession of faith in worship settings.
The Nicene Creed
Formulated at the Councils of Nicaea (AD 325) and Constantinople (AD 381), the Nicene Creed was developed to combat heresies that challenged the deity of Christ and the nature of the Trinity. It affirms the full divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, His role in creation and salvation, and the personhood and divinity of the Holy Spirit.
The Athanasian Creed
The Athanasian Creed, named after Athanasius of Alexandria, is a detailed confession that emphasizes the equality of the three persons of the Trinity and the dual nature of Christ as fully God and fully man. It serves as a solid defense against heresies that arose in the early church.
The Chalcedonian Definition
Established at the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451, the Chalcedonian Definition explains the orthodox understanding of Christ’s person. It declares that Jesus is one person in two natures—fully divine and fully human—without confusion, change, division, or separation. This definition was crucial in addressing and correcting various heretical views about Christ’s nature.