What Are Our Essential Beliefs?     These are the non-negotiables of our faith--the pillars on which all our beliefs rest. 1.    Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone). The Holy Scripture is the inspired word of the living God and the only infallible authority for all Christian faith and practice.  All Scripture must be interpreted within the historical boundaries of apostolic rule and doctrine, and must be interpreted in and by the church, the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15), and the instrument through which He has chosen to make His word known (2 Timothy 3:15-17).   2.     Solus Christus (Salvation in Christ alone). Jesus Christ is mankind’s only hope for salvation. Salvation is based completely on God imputing (transferring) the righteousness of Jesus to us.  We are saved from sin and judgment by His suffering.  Apart from the substituionary death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, there is no salvation for anyone (Acts 4:12; Romans 8:11 Timothy 2:5-6).   3.    Sola Fide (Faith Alone). Justification (being made right before God) is the act of God by which He forgives all our sins, and declares us as righteous in His sight.  We receive this forgiveness and righteousness through placing our faith and trust in the work of Jesus.  No one can bring a successful charge against us. (Romans 5:1-2).   4.    Sola Gratia (Grace Alone). Being made right in the sight of God is by His grace alone.  It is God’s gift to all who believe.  There is nothing we can do to earn it or deserve it. (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Romans 6:23).           5.    Soli Deo Gloria  (To God alone, be all the Glory). God has done all this for the sole purpose of His glory being revealed on the earth. (Isaiah 43:7, 21, 25; Romans 16:25-27).
Digging a little deeper... GOD There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), eternally existent (John 1:1-3), creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1). He exists as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence, but distinct in person and function (John 15:26, Matthew 3:16-17). JESUS CHRIST Jesus Christ is fully God (John 10:30) who took on flesh through a virgin birth (Matthew 1:22- 23) and dwelt on the earth (John 1:14). He was perfectly sinless (Hebrews 4:15). He died on a cross as a substitute for our sins (John 19:33), was buried, and physically rose from the dead (Luke 24:3-6), and ascended to live eternally with the Father (Acts 1:10-11). MAN Man is the direct creation of God and made in His image (Genesis 1:26). Every member of the human race is sinful by nature from birth (Romans 5:12, I Corinthians 15:22). Every member of the human race has sinned before God (Romans 3:23). Because of sin, every member of the human race is lost without Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53:6, Proverbs 14:12, John 3:36). SALVATION The death of Jesus Christ ALONE paid the price for salvation (Romans 5:6-8, Isaiah 53:5). Salvation is attained through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:3-6). Repentance (turning away) from sin is essential for salvation (Acts 2:38, Acts 26:20, Luke 13:3, II Corinthians 7:10). Salvation for the believer is secure for eternity (John 10:27-28, Hebrews 7:25, I John 5:13) Evidence of salvation is confirmed, but not obtained, by: Good works (Matthew 7:17, Galatians 5:22-24). Water Baptism by immersion (Colossians 2:12, Romans 6:1-3). HOLY SPIRIT The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, coexistent with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19) The Holy Spirit indwells a man at the moment of conversion (Acts 10:44, Ephesians 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit is the chief agent of salvation and holiness in the life of the believer (Romans 15:16). The work of the Holy Spirit is manifest by fruit (Galatians 5:22-26, Ephesians 2:10) in cooperation with the believer's yielding (Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 5:18). The Holy Spirit endows each believer with a special gift to minister to the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:7, 11; I Peter 4:10-11). The Holy Spirit can be quenched (I Thessalonians 5:19) and grieved (Ephesians 4:30-32) by a believer. THE BIBLE The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, though written by men, is verbally (word for word) inspired by God (2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 3:16) and inerrant in its original writings. All the words of the Bible are the final, complete, written, and true revelation of God (Revelation 22:18-19). The Bible is sufficient to meet all the needs of all believers (2 Timothy 3:17, Psalm 19:7-14). The Bible is understood through the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). The meaning of the Bible is determined by the historical, grammatical, and literary use of the author's language, comparing scripture with scripture (2 Timothy 2:15). THE CHURCH The church is a local assembly of baptized believers (Hebrews 10:25). The church is organized to carry out the mission to evangelize and teach every person (Matthew 28:19), and to carry out the ordinances of the Lord's supper and believer's baptism (Acts 2:42- 47). The supreme Head of the church is Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:18). The local church is governed and cared for by mature, godly men, also known as pastors, elders and deacons (Titus 1:5- 9, I Timothy 3:1-13). The church is self-supporting by the sacrificial giving of her members (I Corinthians 16:1-2). SECOND COMING We believe in the literal, visible (Revelation 1:7), personal, and soon return of Jesus Christ for His Church (Revelation 22:12), at which time He will transform our bodies, whether dead or alive, into a body suited for heaven (Philippians 3:20-21).		What God's Word  Says    About:   Abortion Baptism Church Discipline Divorce Eternal Security Healing Homosexuality The Lord's Supper Marriage Membership The Bible The Deity of Christ The Trinity Tithing   Canyon Hills exists to passionately affect our world with the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ by worshiping God, proclaiming His Word, and equipping and deploying into ministry fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ!