Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of Bear Valley Church Big Bear 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.
About God
We believe in one eternal, and infinite God who exists in three distinct, yet co-equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-6; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; 14:9; 2 Corinthians 3:17)
More on the Father… We believe that God the Father is the first member of the Trinity, who is the Creator of heaven and earth. He is perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom and limitless in power. He is just, yet merciful. He disciplines, yet loves unconditionally. He hears and answers prayer, and eternally saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:1,26,27; Isaiah 6:3; Jeremiah 10:6,12; Isaiah 40:25-26; 1 Peter 3:12; John 1:12-13; Romans 6:23)
More on the Son… We believe that Jesus Christ is the second, yet co-equal member of the Trinity (the Son of God), who became a man to reveal God to humanity and to become the Savior of our lost and broken world. He lived a sinless human life, atoned for the sins of all people by dying on a cross, and secured our future eternal salvation when He rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and will return again someday to reign eternally. (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Matthew 1:22,23; Hebrews 4:15, 7:25; Romans 5:8-9; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Corinthians 15:3-7; Acts 1:9-11; John 14:1-3)
More on the Holy Spirit… We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third, yet co-equal member of the Trinity, who came make people aware of our need for Jesus and open our eyes to our broken and sin-filled world. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation and provides us with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every Christian special gifts to help enrich the lives of others and, as Christians, we seek to live under His leading daily. (John 14:16-17, 26; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; Titus 3:5-6; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17 )
More on the Father… We believe that God the Father is the first member of the Trinity, who is the Creator of heaven and earth. He is perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom and limitless in power. He is just, yet merciful. He disciplines, yet loves unconditionally. He hears and answers prayer, and eternally saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:1,26,27; Isaiah 6:3; Jeremiah 10:6,12; Isaiah 40:25-26; 1 Peter 3:12; John 1:12-13; Romans 6:23)
More on the Son… We believe that Jesus Christ is the second, yet co-equal member of the Trinity (the Son of God), who became a man to reveal God to humanity and to become the Savior of our lost and broken world. He lived a sinless human life, atoned for the sins of all people by dying on a cross, and secured our future eternal salvation when He rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and will return again someday to reign eternally. (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Matthew 1:22,23; Hebrews 4:15, 7:25; Romans 5:8-9; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Corinthians 15:3-7; Acts 1:9-11; John 14:1-3)
More on the Holy Spirit… We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third, yet co-equal member of the Trinity, who came make people aware of our need for Jesus and open our eyes to our broken and sin-filled world. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation and provides us with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every Christian special gifts to help enrich the lives of others and, as Christians, we seek to live under His leading daily. (John 14:16-17, 26; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; Titus 3:5-6; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17 )
About the Bible
We believe that the entire Bible is God’s Word and that it was written by human authors who were divinely inspired by God’s own Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God, we believe it is without error and stands as the ultimate source of truth and direction for sound daily living. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:20-21)
About Humanity
We believe that all people were created in the spiritual image of God, to live with His character, and to have fellowship with Him. Although we have tremendous potential for good, we’ve all become alienated in that relationship through disobedience called “sin.” As a result, we are not capable of a right relationship with God through their own efforts. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1,2; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23)
About Salvation
We believe that because of the inherent brokenness and willful sinfulness of all humanity, nobody can make their own way into Heaven. As such, it is only the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, that provides the sole basis for the forgiveness of our sin. But because of God’s tremendous love and mercy, He freely offers salvation to those who place their faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus as sufficient payment for their sin. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus alone in faith, we are saved. (Romans 3:10-12, 22-24, 5:1, 6:23; John 3:16, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-10; Galatians 3:26; Titus 3:5)
About the Church
We believe that the church is the body of Christ, of which Jesus Christ is the head. The purpose of the church is to glorify God by loving Him and by making Him known to the lost world. The members of the church are those who have trusted by faith the finished work of Christ. Members are also called by God to voluntarily unite together locally for the purposes of evangelism, investing in each other, service to each other and our community, and most importantly, the collective worship of God. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 10:24-25; 13:15-16)