Sarasota Christian Church is made up of followers of Jesus who are united around our shared beliefs and mission, all of which are rooted in the Bible. We believe that the Bible is the only adequate guide for living a Christian life, so we strive for it to be the foundation of everything we experience together at SCC. 

Everyone is welcome at Sarasota Christian Church, even if you don’t believe everything we believe. The Bible allows room for differences over secondary issues. However, we also think that some beliefs are essential – they are at the essence of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. In these essential beliefs, we strive for unity among those who would call SCC their church home. 

This is a statement of our essential beliefs – those at the center of what you will encounter in the culture, teaching, and activity of Sarasota Christian Church.

the bible

The entire Bible (the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments) is the Word of God. God inspired the Bible’s human authors, meaning that he guided them in everything they wrote so that it expresses the truth and is without error. The Bible is the ultimate authority for our understanding of God and his will for us. It tells us everything we need to know about faith and living a life that is pleasing to God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17; Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 119:105; 2 Peter 1:20-21

THE trinity

There is one true God. He is eternal, meaning he exists, has always existed, and will always exist. God exists as three persons who together are one God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All are fully, equally God, having all of God’s attributes. Though the word “Trinity” never appears in the Bible, this belief comes from what God has revealed about himself in the Bible.

Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 45:6; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:13

god the father

God the Father is the creator and sustainer of all things. He is sovereign (has ultimate power and authority) over everything. He is holy (morally perfect), good, just, all-powerful, and all-knowing (among many other things).

Colossians 1:16; Jeremiah 9:24; Romans 11:33

GOD THE son - jesus christ

Jesus is God in human flesh – both fully God and fully human. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He lived a perfect and sinless life in order to be a worthy sacrifice for us. He was tempted like we are, he suffered like we have, yet he did not sin. He willingly died on a cross to pay our sin debt. He rose from the dead, showing his power over death and validating everything he said and did. He ascended into heaven and will one day return to rule and reign with absolute power and authority forever, taking those who follow him to live in God’s presence for eternity.

Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Matthew 25:31; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

the holy spirit

The Holy Spirit makes the relationship between God and humans possible. He convicts us of sin and offers eternal life through the work of Jesus on the cross to all who believe. The Holy Spirit is present inside of each believer, acting as counselor, comforter, teacher, and guide in living according to God’s will. He gives strength and empowers believers to overcome sin and spiritual opposition. He gives spiritual gifts to the believers for the sake of the ministry and unity of the Church as it advances the message of Jesus.

John 16:8-11; Romans 8:9-11; John 14:25-26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

humanity

Humans are the pinnacle of God’s creation. Each person is made in God’s image and has great value, regardless of stage of development or physical or mental capacity. God wants to have a relationship with each person, but humans disobeyed and rebelled against God, which is called sin. Sin separates us from God and prevents us from having a relationship with him. We cannot fix or make up for our sin problem; we need redemption and restoration that can only be found in Jesus.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:13-16; Romans 3:23

salvation

Salvation is the forgiveness of our sins, a restored relationship with God, and the promise of eternal life with him. It is a gift from God that cannot be earned through self-improvement or striving to be a “good person”. It is given by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. Those who want to receive this gift must admit that they have sinned and intend to leave their sin behind (repent), confess that they believe in Jesus and trust in his power to save them, and express a desire to follow his ways for their life. Jesus also commanded those who place their faith in him to be baptized – immersed in water as a representation that our old selves are being buried, our sins are being washed clean, and a new person is being raised to life with the Holy Spirit inside of them.

John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4-9; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5, 23

the church

The Church is made up of all followers of Jesus throughout history. The Church is the body of Christ. Jesus is the head and the Church is his hands and feet, completing his purposes on the earth – namely giving glory to God in worship, sharing the message of Jesus and calling others to become his followers, and teaching and training believers to live as God instructs and fulfill the mission God has given us. All followers of Jesus should take an active part in a local church body to worship and serve God together and encourage and nurture one another to growth and maturity in faith.

Colossians 1:18; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:15-16

eternity

Humans were created for an eternal existence, meaning everyone will live forever either with or apart from God. Jesus will one day return and all of creation will be judged justly. Those who have accepted Christ’s offer of salvation will spend eternity with God in a place of eternal blessing. Those who reject Jesus will be separated from God by their sin in a place of eternal suffering. It is the driving passion of the Church to share the message of Jesus with the whole world from now until Jesus returns because of the reality of eternity.

John 14:3; Hebrews 9:28; Romans 2:5-8; Matthew 25:46; Romans 14:10-12