“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" – JOHN 17:3
Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of Valley Harvest based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.
WE BELIEVE IN THE ONE TRUE GOD
We believe in the Holy Trinity, one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, coexistent and coeternal in one deity nature (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). God the Father is the sovereign creator and ruler of all things (Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36). He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness (Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 6:1-3; 1 Timothy 1:15), and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love (Revelation 4:11; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; 1 Timothy 1:17).
We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son (Matthew 16:16), One in being with the Father (John 10:30), eternally begotten but not made or created (John 1:1-2, 14), who in history assumed to Himself a human nature for the sake of our salvation (Philippians 2:5-8; Galatians 4:4-5). He lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), died an atoning death (Hebrews 9:26), resurrected (Matthew 28:6), ascended (Philippians 2:9), presently reigns (Ephesians 1:20-23), and will return to redeem our bodies and creation (Romans 8:22-23).
We believe in the Holy Spirit, God Himself, eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6), who indwells in believers (Romans
8:11), giving new life (2 Corinthians 3:18), empowering them for service (1 Corinthians 12:4, 9), giving understanding of the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:12) and changing them into Christ's likeness (Romans 8:29). We affirm God’s activity in the world for his sovereign and gracious purposes (Psalm 24:1; 115:3; Daniel 4:35; Ephesians 1:11).
We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son (Matthew 16:16), One in being with the Father (John 10:30), eternally begotten but not made or created (John 1:1-2, 14), who in history assumed to Himself a human nature for the sake of our salvation (Philippians 2:5-8; Galatians 4:4-5). He lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), died an atoning death (Hebrews 9:26), resurrected (Matthew 28:6), ascended (Philippians 2:9), presently reigns (Ephesians 1:20-23), and will return to redeem our bodies and creation (Romans 8:22-23).
We believe in the Holy Spirit, God Himself, eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6), who indwells in believers (Romans
8:11), giving new life (2 Corinthians 3:18), empowering them for service (1 Corinthians 12:4, 9), giving understanding of the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:12) and changing them into Christ's likeness (Romans 8:29). We affirm God’s activity in the world for his sovereign and gracious purposes (Psalm 24:1; 115:3; Daniel 4:35; Ephesians 1:11).
WE BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
We believe the Bible, specifically the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament, is the written Word of God (2 Tim. 3:15-17). It is inspired by God, being written by men who were moved by the Holy Spirit and are therefore inerrant in their original writings (2 Peter 1:21; Hebrews 4:12-13). They are the only supreme authority and standard for life, doctrine, practice, creeds, history, and reality.
WE BELIEVE GOD CREATED EVERYTHING
We believe that God created all things out of nothing as an overflow of His trinitarian love and a reflection of His glory (Psalm 19:1). God created all things good, and He is always present in and in control over all things (Genesis 1). God in His sovereignty temporarily allows evil to exist, though He is not its author nor does He tempt anyone to sin (Genesis 50:20; James 1:13). We believe that God directly created Adam and Eve as first people to be the historical parents of the entire human race (Genesis 1:27). Mankind was created in the image of God, without sin, as male and female (Genesis 1:31). As image bearers, they were called to reflect and represent God’s glory in the world by multiplying humanity and filling and ruling over the earth, as they live in communion with God and walk according to His Word (Genesis 1:28-30).
We believe that men and women are equal yet distinct and complementary (Genesis 2:7, 18, 21-22). God’s design of biblical masculinity and femininity is a beautiful and essential part of creation. Men are given the special calling of being servant-hearted leaders in the context of the home and church (Ephesians 5:25-31). Marriage is a common-grace gift, a covenant between a man and a woman and is the only God-ordained pattern of sexual relations for biological male and female (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9; Ephesians 5:31-32).
We believe that men and women are equal yet distinct and complementary (Genesis 2:7, 18, 21-22). God’s design of biblical masculinity and femininity is a beautiful and essential part of creation. Men are given the special calling of being servant-hearted leaders in the context of the home and church (Ephesians 5:25-31). Marriage is a common-grace gift, a covenant between a man and a woman and is the only God-ordained pattern of sexual relations for biological male and female (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9; Ephesians 5:31-32).
WE BELIEVE THAT ALL HAVE SINNED
We believe that through the temptation of Satan, humanity transgressed the command of God and fell from their sinless state (Genesis 3:1-7). Sin has fractured all things, leaving the world in desperate need of salvation (Genesis 3:6-24; Romans 5:12-19). Now the entire human race inherits a corrupt nature that is guilty before God and His law (Romans 3:19, 23). Therefore, all humans are under condemnation (Romans 5:18; Ephesians 2:3). Depravity extends to the whole person: body, soul, and spirit (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-18; Ephesians 4:17-18).
Unregenerate humanity lives under the dominion of sin, Satan and is separated from God (Romans 6:17; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:1-2; 1 John 5:19).
Unregenerate humanity lives under the dominion of sin, Satan and is separated from God (Romans 6:17; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:1-2; 1 John 5:19).
WE BELIEVE IN SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
We believe that, due to universal death through sin (Romans 5:12), no one can enter the kingdom of God unless born again (John 3:3); that salvation is only by grace through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans
3:24-25; Titus 3:5-7). The good news of Jesus calls all people everywhere to repent, believe, and be restored to life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). Repentance includes an
acknowledgement of one’s sin against the holy God, and fundamentally turning away from sin to God (Matthew 3:8; Luke 19:8; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). Faith is the willful submission of the heart and trust in Jesus as the one Lord and treasure of life (Acts 16:31; Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23).
All who receive the Lord Jesus Christ through faith are declared righteous by God and become children of God (Colossians 1:22; Romans 3:28).
We believe that regeneration, or the new birth, is that act of God by which the Holy Spirit through the Word, gives a new spiritual nature and the person becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus (Ezekiel 36:26; John 1:12; 3:8; 1 Peter 1:3, 23; James 1:18; Titus 3:5). The mind is given
a holy disposition and a new desire to serve God (Ezekiel 11:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:17). The dominion of sin is broken, and the heart is transformed from a love of sin and self to a love for and pursuit of holiness and God (Romans 6:6-7; Ephesians 4:22-24). The salvation of humanity is fundamentally the work of God (Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Romans 8:29-30; Philippians 1:6). Before the foundation of the world, God elected His people according to His foreknowledge (1 Peter 1:2; Romans 8:29), setting His affection and grace upon them; In love God predestined His people for adoption (Ephesians 1:4-5; John 17:24; Revelation 13:8) Faith is a gift of grace that is given by the mercy and pleasure of God, so that no one may boast 2
(Ephesians 2:8-9). Apart from the intervention of God, the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward
God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God (Ephesians 2:1-5; Romans 8:7; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Philippians 2:13; Titus 3:3-5). God’s sovereignty in salvation is comprehensive: from first to last, all of salvation is the work of God (Jonah 2:9; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians
1:3-6; Hebrews 12:2).
3:24-25; Titus 3:5-7). The good news of Jesus calls all people everywhere to repent, believe, and be restored to life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). Repentance includes an
acknowledgement of one’s sin against the holy God, and fundamentally turning away from sin to God (Matthew 3:8; Luke 19:8; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). Faith is the willful submission of the heart and trust in Jesus as the one Lord and treasure of life (Acts 16:31; Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23).
All who receive the Lord Jesus Christ through faith are declared righteous by God and become children of God (Colossians 1:22; Romans 3:28).
We believe that regeneration, or the new birth, is that act of God by which the Holy Spirit through the Word, gives a new spiritual nature and the person becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus (Ezekiel 36:26; John 1:12; 3:8; 1 Peter 1:3, 23; James 1:18; Titus 3:5). The mind is given
a holy disposition and a new desire to serve God (Ezekiel 11:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:17). The dominion of sin is broken, and the heart is transformed from a love of sin and self to a love for and pursuit of holiness and God (Romans 6:6-7; Ephesians 4:22-24). The salvation of humanity is fundamentally the work of God (Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Romans 8:29-30; Philippians 1:6). Before the foundation of the world, God elected His people according to His foreknowledge (1 Peter 1:2; Romans 8:29), setting His affection and grace upon them; In love God predestined His people for adoption (Ephesians 1:4-5; John 17:24; Revelation 13:8) Faith is a gift of grace that is given by the mercy and pleasure of God, so that no one may boast 2
(Ephesians 2:8-9). Apart from the intervention of God, the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward
God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God (Ephesians 2:1-5; Romans 8:7; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Philippians 2:13; Titus 3:3-5). God’s sovereignty in salvation is comprehensive: from first to last, all of salvation is the work of God (Jonah 2:9; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians
1:3-6; Hebrews 12:2).
WE BELIEVE IN THE CHURCH
God, by His Word and Spirit, creates, preserves, and guides the Church, calling sinful humanity into the fellowship of Christ’s body (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 1:9; Ephesians 5:25-27). The universal Church comprises all believers across time; a local church is a specific expression of that larger reality (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 1:2). All Christians are called to be members of a local congregation, which consists of baptized believers who are united by new covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel (Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 12:4-5; Hebrews 10:24-25).
The ultimate mission of the Church is to bring glory to God by making disciples of all peoples (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). The Church is called to make disciples through worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, observance of the ordinances, fellowship, the exercise of our gifts and the proclamation of the gospel both in our community and to all nations (Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Romans 12:6-8). In obedience to Christ’s command, believers are baptized by immersion in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20). Water baptism is a visual and symbolic demonstration of a person’s union with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection, showing our release from the mastery of sin,
Satan, and death (Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21). Baptism is the prerequisite for membership in the church and participation in the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 11:27-29).
The Lord’s Supper symbolizes the breaking of Christ’s body and the shedding of His blood on our behalf and is to be remembered repeatedly throughout the Christian life as a sign of continued participation in the atoning sacrifice of Christ’s death (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). As we come to the table with a posture of faith and self-examination, we remember and proclaim the death of Christ, receive spiritual nourishment for our souls, and signify our unity with other members of Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 11:27-32; 1 Timothy 4:6).
The ultimate mission of the Church is to bring glory to God by making disciples of all peoples (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). The Church is called to make disciples through worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, observance of the ordinances, fellowship, the exercise of our gifts and the proclamation of the gospel both in our community and to all nations (Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Romans 12:6-8). In obedience to Christ’s command, believers are baptized by immersion in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20). Water baptism is a visual and symbolic demonstration of a person’s union with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection, showing our release from the mastery of sin,
Satan, and death (Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21). Baptism is the prerequisite for membership in the church and participation in the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 11:27-29).
The Lord’s Supper symbolizes the breaking of Christ’s body and the shedding of His blood on our behalf and is to be remembered repeatedly throughout the Christian life as a sign of continued participation in the atoning sacrifice of Christ’s death (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). As we come to the table with a posture of faith and self-examination, we remember and proclaim the death of Christ, receive spiritual nourishment for our souls, and signify our unity with other members of Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 11:27-32; 1 Timothy 4:6).
WE BELIEVE IN THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH
The consummation of all things includes the future, physical, visible, personal, and glorious return of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:11); the resurrection of the dead (John 5:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:16); the glorification of those alive in Christ (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Philippians 3:20-21); the judgment of the just and the unjust (Acts 17:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10); and the fulfillment of Christ’s kingdom in the new heavens and the new earth (Revelation
21:1-3). In the consummation, Satan, along with his demons and all those outside Christ, will be finally separated from the benevolent presence of God and will endure eternal punishment (2
Thessalonians 1:8-9; Revelation 20:10). The righteous, in glorified resurrected bodies, will live and reign with Him forever––serving Him, and giving Him unending praise and glory (Philippians 3:20-21; Romans 8:17). Then the eager expectation of creation will be fulfilled, and the whole earth will proclaim the glory of God, who makes all things new (Romans 8:19-21; Revelations 21:5).
21:1-3). In the consummation, Satan, along with his demons and all those outside Christ, will be finally separated from the benevolent presence of God and will endure eternal punishment (2
Thessalonians 1:8-9; Revelation 20:10). The righteous, in glorified resurrected bodies, will live and reign with Him forever––serving Him, and giving Him unending praise and glory (Philippians 3:20-21; Romans 8:17). Then the eager expectation of creation will be fulfilled, and the whole earth will proclaim the glory of God, who makes all things new (Romans 8:19-21; Revelations 21:5).