Learn More About Our Beliefs
Statement of Faith
Our beliefs are based solely on the Scripture. We believe the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible. The Word of God is our infallible rule of faith and of practice. As our duty to make known the divine message of the Word, we present the following articles as our statement of faith and those basic truths taught in the Bible which are common to our Christian faith and practice.
Morningstar Family Church Thurmont
A place to call home, A place you can belong
The Authority of Scripture
The Bible is the infallible Word of God. The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit, without error and the authority by which we base our faith, doctrine, and conduct.
[2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21][2 Timothy 3:16-17 RVR60; 2 Peter 1:20-21 RVR60]
The Trinity – God in Three Persons
There is one God, existent in the three persons of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
[Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22][Matthew 28:19 RVR60; Luke 3:22 RVR60]
The Lordship of Jesus Christ
Our Lord, the one having power, authority, and influence in our lives, Jesus Christ is the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross, rose from the grave, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and is coming again. He provides divine physical, emotional, and mental healing and restoration today as our Healer.
[Luke 1:26-35; John 3:16-17; John 14:3; Romans 8:11; James 5:14; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24][Luke 1:26-35 RVR60; John 3:16-17 RVR60; John 14:3 RVR60; Romans 8:11 RVR60; James 5:14 RVR60; Matthew 8:17 RVR60; 1 Peter 2:24 RVR60]
People
We were created in the image of God to be good and upright, but by voluntary disobedience, are separated from God.
[Genesis 1:26-31; Genesis 3:1-7, Romans 5:12][Genesis 1:26-31 RVR60; Genesis 3:1-7 RVR60; Romans 5:12 RVR60]
Salvation
Because we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and because the wages of sin is death, salvation and redemption are only possible through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross, not by works. Salvation is a gift. And God loved us so much that while we were still sinners, Christ died to pay the penalty for our sin. If anyone be in Christ, they are a new creation. The sinful nature is gone and replaced with a godly nature, growing in the knowledge of God and who He is.
[Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9,10; Ephesians 2:8,9; 1 John 5:10-13; 2 Corinthians 5:17][Romans 3:23 RVR60; Romans 5:8 RVR60; Romans 6:23 RVR60; Romans10:9,10 RVR60; Ephesians 2:8,9 RVR60; 1 John 5:10-13 RVR60; 2 Corinthians 5:17 RVR60]
Communion – The Lord’s Supper
We partake in the Lords Supper/Communion.
[I Corinthians 11:23-28; Matthew 26:28,29)][I Corinthians 11:23-28 RVR60; Matthew 26:28,29 RVR60]
Water Baptism
Water baptism, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, identifies with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
[Mark 1:9-11; Romans 6:3-5][Mark 1:9-11 RVR60; Romans 6:3-5 RVR60]
The Baptism of The Holy Spirit
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an additional impartation accompanied by the gifts of the Spirit presently available to all who believe with the purpose of imparting spiritual power to the believer to be a witness.
[Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4; Acts 38-39; Acts 19:1-6][Luke 24:49 RVR60; Acts 1:8 RVR60; Acts 2:4 RVR60; Acts 38-39 RVR60; Acts 19:1-6 RVR60]
The Present Ministry of The Holy Spirit
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever and His ministry in and through the church by the Holy Spirit has not changed from the beginning. We accept, acknowledge, encourage and seek all of the biblical gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit as present and vital for the church to accomplish her full purpose today. In addition, the fruit of the Spirit should be an essential part of the believer’s life.
[1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Ephesians 4:11,12; Hebrews 13:8; Galatians 5:19-25][1 Corinthians 12:1-31 RVR60; Ephesians 4:11,12 RVR60; Hebrews 13:8 RVR60; Galatians 5:19-25 RVR60]
Eternal Existence
Everyone will die, and after that all will be judged and sentenced to either eternal life or eternal damnation. Satan exists. Hell is real, a place of suffering, torment and permanent separation from God for those who do not repent and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Heaven is real; a place of life, love, joy, peace, and being eternally in the presence of God for those who do accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
[Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 22:31; John 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 9:27; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 3:8; Revelation 20:10-15][Matthew 25:31-46 RVR60; Luke 22:31 RVR60; John 3:18 RVR60; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 RVR60; Hebrews 9:27 RVR60; James 4:7 RVR60; 1 Peter 5:8 RVR60; 1 John 3:8 RVR60; Revelation 20:10-15 RVR60]
The Church
The Church is the people of God (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) in fellowship, in worship, and in ministry as one. The Church has a definite mission on earth, to worship God, defend the faith, disciple nations, win the lost, perfect and equip the saints, and help the poor.
[Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; John 4:24; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-12; Ephesians 5-19; Hebrews 10:25; Hebrews 12:23; James 1:27; 1 Peter 3:15][Mark 16:15 RVR60; Luke 24:47 RVR60; John 4:24 RVR60; Romans 12:5 RVR60; 1 Corinthians 12:28 RVR60; Ephesians 4:11-12 RVR60; Ephesians 5-19 RVR60; Hebrews 10:25 RVR60; Hebrews 12:23 RVR60; James 1:27 RVR60; 1 Peter 3:15 RVR60]