Statement of Faith

Forward Church affirms the following foundational beliefs as the basis for its faith and practices:

The Bible

The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the inspired and inerrant Word of God and serves as the final authority for all matters of faith and practices. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:160)

God

The church holds to the historic Christian faith, including belief in one God who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit –and hold that these, being one God, are equal in deity, power, and glory. God is the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. (Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 1:18, 22-23, 28:19; John 1:1-5, 14:10- 26, 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:25; 2 Corinthians 3:17)

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is God the Son, fully God and fully man, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins, rose bodily from the dead, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory. (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:18–23; John 1:1,14; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Acts 1:9–11)

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is fully God and active today, convicting the world of sin, regenerating believers, indwelling them at salvation, and empowering them for godly living and ministry. (John 14:16–17; Romans 8:11; Titus 3:5)

Mankind

Mankind was created by God and was declared “good” by Him, but through man’s voluntary disobedience to God’s command, sin entered His perfect creation. Therefore, every individual is valued and loved by God but is separated from Him by our sin. This sin has rendered all persons spiritually dead and justly condemned in the sight of God, wholly unable to save themselves. However, God, in His infinite love, provided a means of redemption and forgiveness through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. (John 3:3, 16-18; Romans 3:23-25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 12-19; 2 Peter 3:9, 1 John 1:9)

Salvation

Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone—not by works. Through repentance and faith, we receive forgiveness of sins, regeneration by the Holy Spirit, and new life in Christ. (Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9–10; Acts 3:19)

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

We believe in the baptism in the Holy Spirit as an experience subsequent to salvation, empowering believers to be witnesses and to operate in spiritual gifts as described in Scripture. (Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1–4; Acts 19:1–6)

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to believers to build up the Church, glorify Christ, and advance the Gospel. These gifts operate in harmony with Scripture and are to be earnestly desired and exercised in love and order. (1 Corinthians 12–14; Romans 12:4–8; Hebrews 2:4)

Sanctification

Sanctification is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, enabling believers to grow in Christlikeness and live holy lives. (1 Thessalonians 4:3; Romans 12:1–2; 2 Corinthians 3:18)

The Church

Jesus Christ established the Church, which is His Body and the dwelling place of God through the Spirit. Every believer is called to belong to and actively participate in a local church for worship, discipleship, fellowship, and mission. (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 4:11–16)

The Priesthood of Believers

We affirm the priesthood of all believers and the importance of every Christian being joined and actively involved in a local church, the community of the saints. (Hebrews 10:25, 1 Peter 2:5-9)

The Second Coming of Christ

We believe in the literal second coming of Jesus Christ at the end of this age, when He will return to earth personally to gather all believers to Himself by the resurrection of those who have died in Christ and those living on that day. He will then reign over all the world and judge all mankind. No one can know with certainty the timing of the Lord’s return. (Matthew 24:36, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 1:7)

What Happens When You Die

We believe that when Christians die, they immediately pass into the presence of Jesus Christ, enjoying conscious fellowship with the Savior. There they will receive eternal rewards and dwell forever with their triune God. (Matthew 25:46, 2 Corinthians 5:8, Revelation 20:6)

We believe that when a non-believer dies, they pass into Hades where they await the final judgement and will then be eternally separated from God in the Lake of Fire. (Daniel 12:2, Matthew 25:46, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10, Revelation 20:11-15; 21:1-22:15)

Baptism and Communion

After accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we observe baptism by immersion as an act of obedience and testimony and regularly participate in Communion to proclaim His life and death until His return. (Matthew 28:18-20, Colossians 2:12)

Marriage

God created marriage. It is a covenant made between a biological man and a biological woman that makes them one flesh. (Gen 2:22, 24; Matthew 19:5-6)