Statement of Faith: What We Believe
What a church believes shapes what it teaches and how its people live out their faith. At Victory Life Church in Stow, Ohio, our beliefs are rooted in Scripture and centered on Jesus Christ. This statement of faith explains the biblical convictions that shape our teaching, worship, and life together.
One God in Three Persons
We believe in one God, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Scripture reveals three distinct Persons who are one in divine nature, purpose, and glory. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are at work throughout God's story of creation, redemption, and our relationship with Him.
Scripture: Genesis 1:26; Genesis 3:22; Colossians 1:15-19; John 14:10-11; John 14:16, 17, 26; John 17:21, 22, 5; Ephesians 4:5; 1 John 5:6-8
The Bible: God's Inspired, Authoritative Word
We believe the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit and given without error as He moved through its human authors. These Scriptures, accepted as canon by the early Christian Church, are the authoritative foundation for our biblical beliefs. The church has no authority to establish teaching or practice that contradicts God's Word.
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:21; Psalm 119:89, 140; John 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 22:19
Jesus Christ: Fully God, Fully Man
We believe Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man. Begotten, not created, He was born of the Virgin Mary and lived a sinless life. Jesus gave His life on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world and rose bodily from the dead for our justification. He now reigns in glory as Lord until all things are placed under His feet.
Scripture: Luke 1:28-35; John 3:16; John 13:3; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Hebrews 4:15; Romans 4:25; Philippians 2:10-11; Hebrews 2:6-9; Hebrews 1:3; Ephesians 1:22
Humanity, the Fall, and Salvation by Grace
Humanity and the Fall
We believe humanity was created in the image of God. Through the fall, sin entered the human story, leaving us spiritually separated from our Creator. Apart from God's grace, we cannot overcome sin or fulfill the purpose for which He created us.
Scripture: Genesis 1:27-28; Genesis 3:16-20; Genesis 4:1-24; Romans 5:12-21; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23
Salvation by Grace Through Faith
We believe salvation is God's gift of grace, received through personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. Salvation cannot be earned through good works. Through Christ, we can receive forgiveness, new life, and a restored relationship with God. As you grow in that relationship, Growth Track can help you take your next step in faith.
Scripture: Romans 5:8; John 3:16-18; John 10:9-10; Romans 10:9-10, 13; John 1:12; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 John 5:11-13
The Believer's New Life in Christ
Baptism
We believe those who put their faith in Christ should be baptized by immersion as a public expression of their faith. Baptism follows conversion and pictures the believer being buried and raised with Christ. Ready to take this step? Sign up for baptism.
Scripture: Luke 3:21-22; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 41; Acts 8:12, 16, 36; Acts 9:18; Acts 10:47; Acts 16:33; Acts 18:8; Colossians 2:12
The Holy Spirit's Indwelling
We believe the Holy Spirit lives within every believer. He works in us to shape our lives according to the character of Jesus Christ and leads us as we learn to follow Jesus in everyday life.
Scripture: John 14:16-17; John 15:26; John 16:8-13; 1 John 4:4; Galatians 3:3; Galatians 5:25; Romans 8:2, 9-11, 15-17
The Filling and Power of the Holy Spirit
We believe the filling of the Holy Spirit is an endowment of power for holy living and sharing the good news of Jesus. We believe the workings of the Holy Spirit are active within the body of Christ until the coming of the Lord.
Scripture: John 7:39; John 1:8; John 2:4; John 4:31; John 6:3; John 10:44, 47; Acts 19:2; Ephesians 5:18-19; Galatians 5:16-18, 22-25; Romans 12:1-10; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 12-14
The Priesthood of the Believer
We believe everyone born of God has equal standing before Him and direct access to the Lord in prayer. Through Christ, every believer can approach God personally and confidently.
Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-12; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 1:3-4; Hebrews 4:16; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
The Church: Unity, Ministry, and Life Together
The Nature of the Church
We believe in the Holy Christian Church, imperfectly represented on earth by various Christian institutions. Its unity is spiritual, its expression is diverse, and its mission is eternal. At Victory Life, Life Groups are one way we live out this shared life through authentic relationships and community.
Scripture: Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:51-53; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23, 24, 27, 32; Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Peter 2:6-8
Ministry Gifts and Leadership
We believe the callings of evangelist, pastor, and teacher remain active within the Body of Christ until the Lord's return. These ministries are gifts to the Church, equipping God's people for ministry and building up the Body of Christ.
Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 3:4-13; 1 Corinthians 4:9-16
The Spiritual Unity of All Believers
We believe in the spiritual unity of all who are born of God. Those with whom we disagree and those we may fail to understand are still one together with us through Jesus Christ our Lord. That shared identity calls us to love one another and pursue unity in Christ.
Scripture: Psalm 133:1; John 13:34-35; Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 4:3-6, 13-16, 26-32; Ephesians 5:2; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13
Living in Holiness and Christ-Likeness
We believe those who follow Christ are called to reject sin and continue growing in His character. Salvation from sin's penalty begins a lifelong process in which the Holy Spirit works within us, forming the holiness of Christ in our lives. As we follow His leading, our choices, relationships, and everyday lives should increasingly reflect Jesus.
Scripture: Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:16-26; Colossians 2:6-7, 10; Colossians 3:1-10; Ephesians 3:16-20; Ephesians 4:14-15; James 1:12-16; 1 Peter 1:14-16, 22; 1 Peter 1:6-7; Hebrews 12:6-11
The Return of Christ and Life Everlasting
We believe in the literal second coming of Jesus Christ and His rule upon the earth. Scripture teaches the resurrection of those who belong to Christ to eternal life and the unregenerate to eternal damnation. Our hope rests in Christ's return and the ultimate victory of the eternal Kingdom of God.
Scripture: John 14:2-3, 18; Acts 1:9-11; Matthew 24:29-31; Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 21:7-28, 36; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; Revelation 19-22