Beliefs
Genesis’ doctrine would be considered (1) broadly evangelical, (2) reformed in its soteriology, and (3) complementarian in its view of church and family life. To clarify these positions, we have adopted (with slight modifications to Articles 5, 6, and 10) the 2019 Evangelical Free Church of America’s Statement of Faith (Articles 1-10) and an additional statement from the Association of Christian Classical School’s statements on marriage and sexuality (Article 11). As part of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network, we also recognize their five doctrinal distinctives. For those looking for a church family, our doctrine lets you know what we believe, and our distinctives let you know more about our approach to ministry.
Article 1: God
We believe in one God,1 Creator of all things,2 holy,3 infinitely perfect,4 and eternally existing5 in a loving unity6 of three equally divine Persons:7 the Father,8 the Son9 and the Holy Spirit.10 Having limitless knowledge11 and sovereign power,12 God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself13 and to make all things new14 for His own glory.15
1Deut 6:4; Mark 12:29
2Gen 1:1; Ps. 33:6; John 1:3; Col 1:15-17; Heb 11:3
3Exod 15:11; Isa 6:3; 57:15
4Deut 32:4; Job 1:7-10; Pss. 18:30; 50:2; 90:2; 145:3; Matt. 5:48
5Pss 33:11; 102:25-27; 115:3; Dan 4:34-35; John 5:26; Acts 17:24-25
6John 3:35; 17:24; 1 John 4:8,16
7John 17:11; Matt 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2
8Deut 32:6; Matt 6:6; Rom 8:15; 1 Cor 8:6
9Matt 3:17; John 1:14; 3:16; Gal 4:4; Heb 1:5
10John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15; Rom 8:9, 26; Gal 4:6
11Pss 139:1-16; 147:5; Isa 46:10; John 21:17
12Jer 32:17; Eph 1:11; Rom 8:28; 2 Cor 6:18; Eph 3:20; Rev 1:8
131 Cor 2:7; Eph 1:11; 3:10,11; 2 Tim 1:9; Ti 1:2; 1 Pet 1:20; Rev 13:8
14Matt 19:28; Acts 3:21; Rom 8:19-21; Rev 21-22
15Ps 19:1-2; Isa 43:7; Jer 13:11; Col 1:15-23; Rev 4:11; 5:9-14
Article 2: Scripture
We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures,1 both Old and New Testaments,2 through the words of human authors.3 As the verbally inspired Word of God,4 the Bible is without error in the original writings,5 the complete revelation of His will for salvation,6 and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged.7 Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches,8 obeyed in all that it requires,9 and trusted in all that it promises.10
1Matt 1:22; 4:4; 19:4-5; Heb 1:1-2
22 Pet 3:15-16
3Luke 1:1-4
42 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21
5Num 23:19; 2 Sam 7:28; Prov 30:5; Ps 119:96, 160; Matt 5:18; John 10:35; 17:17; Titus 1:1-2
6Luke 16:29-31; Gal 1:8,9; 2 Tim 3:15
7John 17:17; 1 Tim 3:15-17; 1 Pet 1:23; Ps 119:44-45,165
8Matt 22:29; Rom 15:4; 2 Tim 3:16
9Matt 28:20; 2 Thess 3:14; 1 John 2:5
10Rom 1:2; 4:21; Heb 10:23; 2 Pet 1:4; 3:13
Article 3: Humanity
We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image,1 but they sinned when tempted by Satan.2 In union with Adam,3 human beings are sinners by nature and by choice,4 alienated from God,5 and under His wrath.6 Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ7 can we be rescued,8 reconciled9 and renewed.10
1Gen 1:26-27; 5:1; 9:6; 1 Cor 11:7; Col 3:10; Jas 3:9
2Gen 3:1-6; John 8:44; Rom 5:12-14; 16:20; 2 Cor 11:3; 1 Tim 2:13-14
3Job 14:4; Ps 51:5; John 3:6; Rom 3:12; 5:12-14; 1 Cor 15:22a; 1 John 1:8
4Gen 6:5; Jer 17:9; Isa 6:5; Rom 5:15; 8:5-8; Eph 2:1-2; 4:17-19
5Rom 5:10
6Rom 1:18; 2:5; 3:9-19; 3:23; Eph 2:3
7Acts 4:12; 1 Tim 2:5
81 Thess 1:10
9Rom 5:1-2,10; Col 1:20
10Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:18; Eph 4:24; Phil 3:21; 1 John 3:2
Article 4: Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ1 is God incarnate,2 fully God3 and fully man,4 one Person in two natures.5 Jesus—Israel’s promised Messiah6—was conceived through the Holy Spirit7 and born of the virgin Mary.8 He lived a sinless life,9 was crucified under Pontius Pilate,10 arose bodily from the dead,11 ascended into heaven12 and sits at the right hand of God the Father13 as our High Priest14 and Advocate.15
1Matt 1:21; 16:18
2John 1:14, 18; 1 John 4:2
3Isa 9:6; Jer 23:6; John 1:1; 20:28; Rom 9:5; Col 2:9
4Matt 4:2; Luke 2:40, 52; John 11:35; Heb 5:7-8; 1 John 1:1-3
5John 3:13; 10:30; 17:5
6Gen 3:14-20; 12:1-3; 49:8-12; 2 Sam 7:11b-16; Matt 1:1, 17; Luke 4:16-22; 24:25-27; John 1:41; 4:25-26; Acts 2:36; 13:23, 32; Rom 1:2-3; 2 Tim 2:8-9
7Matt 1:18; Luke 1:34,35
8Isa 7:14; Matt 1:20; Luke 1:34,35
9Rom 5:19; Gal 4:4,5; Matt 3:15; Phil 2:7-8; Heb 4:15
10Deut 21:23; Ps 16:10; Matt 27:26; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:16; John 19:16; Acts 2:27, 37
11Matt 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:39; Rom 4:25; 1 Cor 15:20, 44-45; Col 1:18; Rev 1:5
12Luke 24:51; Acts 1:6-11; Eph 1:20; 4:8-10; 1 Tim 3:16
13Eph 1:20; Col 3:1; Heb 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 1 Pet 3:22
14Heb 2:17; 3:1; 4:14; 6:20; 8:1
15Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1
Distinctive One: Gospel Centrality
We believe the gospel is the good news of what God has graciously accomplished for sinners through the sinless life, sacrificial death, and bodily resurrection of his Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ—namely our forgiveness from sin and complete justification before God. This gospel is also the foundation for our confidence in the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom, and the consummation of his purpose for all creation in the new heavens and new earth.
This gospel is centered in Christ, is the foundation for the life of the church, and is our only hope for eternal life. This gospel is not proclaimed if Christ’s penal substitutionary death and bodily resurrection are not central to our message.
This gospel is not only the means by which people are saved but also the truth and power by which people are sanctified; it is the truth of the gospel that enables us to genuinely and joyfully do what is pleasing to God and to grow in progressive conformity to the image of Christ.
The salvation offered in this gospel message is received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone; no ordinance, ritual, work, or any other activity on the part of man is required in order to be saved.
Mark 1:1; Luke 24:46-47; John 3:16-18; Rom 1:16-17; 3:21-26, 5:1-11; 1 Cor 1:18-25; 2:2; 15:1-4; 2 Cor 4:1-6; 9:13; Gal 1:6-9; Eph 1: 7-10; Col 1: 19-20; 2 Tim 1:8-14; 2 Pet 3: 11-13 Jude 1:3-4; Rev 21-22
Article 5: The Work of Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative1 and substitute,2 shed His blood on the cross3 as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice4 for our sins.5 His atoning death6 and victorious resurrection7 constitute the only ground for salvation.8 Once someone is saved by grace through faith, they cannot lose their salvation.9
1Gen 2:15-17; Matt 4:1-11; Mark 1:12- 13; Luke 4:1-13; Rom 5:18-19; 1 Cor 1:30; 15:45, 47; Phil 3:9
2Mark 10:45; Heb 2:16-17; 1 Pet 2:24; 3:18
3Lev 17:11; Matt 26:28; Heb 9:14, 22; 10:19; 1 Pet 1:18-19; Rev 12:10-11
41 Cor 5:7; Heb 9:23-24, 26, 28; 10:1; 13:11-12
5Isa 53:5-7, 12; John 1:29; Rom 3:21- 26; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 3:13; 1 John 3:5
6Rom 3:25; Heb 2:17; 1 John 2:2; 4:10
7Col 1:13; 2:13-15; Heb 2:14-15
8Rom 4:25; 6:4, 11, 14; 1 Cor 6:14; 15:20; 2 Cor 4:14; Eph 1:19-20; 2:5-6; 1 Pet 1:3
9John 1:12; 10:28-30; 1 John 5:11-12
Distinctive Two: God's Sovereignty in Salvation
We affirm that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, not on the basis of foreseen faith but unconditionally, according to his sovereign good pleasure and will.
We believe that through the work of the Holy Spirit, God will draw the elect to faith in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, graciously and effectually overcoming their stubborn resistance to the gospel so that they will most assuredly and willingly believe.
We also believe that these, the elect of God whom he gave to the Son, will persevere in belief and godly behavior and be kept secure in their salvation by grace through faith.
We believe that God’s sovereignty in this salvation neither diminishes the responsibility of people to believe in Christ nor marginalizes the necessity and power of prayer and evangelism, but rather reinforces and establishes them as the ordained means by which God accomplishes his ordained ends.
John 1:12-13; 6:37-44; 10:25-30; Acts 13:48; 16:30-31; Rom 3:1-4:25; 8:1-17,31-39; 9:1-23; 10:8-10; Eph 1:4-5; 2:8-10; Phil 2:12-13; Ti 3:3-7; 1 John 1:7,9
Article 6: The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ.1 He convicts the world of its guilt.2 He regenerates sinners,3 and in Him they are baptized4 into union with Christ5 and adopted as heirs6 in the family of God.7 He also indwells,8 illuminates,9 guides,10 comforts,11 equips12 and empowers13 believers for Christ-like living and service.14
1John 16:14
2John 16:8; 1 Cor 2:14
3Ezek 36:25- 27; John 3:3, 5; 1 Cor 12:3; 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 2:5; Col 2:13; 1 Thess 1:4-5; 2 Thess 2:13; Titus 3:5; Jas 1:18; 1 Pet 1:3
4Mark 1:8; Acts 1:5; 1 Cor 12:13
5Rom 3:24; 5:15-21; 12:5; 1 Cor 1:2; 6:19; 15:22b; 2 Cor 5:17; Gal 1:22; 2:17; 3:28; Eph 1:4; 2:12; 3:6; 4:32; 2 Tim 2:10; 1 Thess 4:16
6Rom 8:15, 23; 9:4; Gal 4:5; Eph 1:5; Ti 3:7
7Matt 12:49-50; 2 Cor 6:18; Eph 3:14; 1 John 3:14-18
8John 14:17; Rom 8:11; 1 Cor 3:16
91 Cor 2:2; 2 Cor 4:4-15; Eph 1:17-19; Phil 1:9-11
10John 16:13; Acts 15:28; Rom 8:4, 14; Gal 5:16, 18
11John 14:26
12Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12:4-10; Eph 4:7-11; 1 Pet 4:10-11
13Acts 1:8; 10:38; Rom 15:13; 1 Cor 12:11; Eph 3:16; 2 Tim 1:7
14Acts 6:8; Rom 8:4-6, 12-16; 2 Cor 13:14; Gal 3:3, 5; 5:22-23, 25; Eph 2:22; 4:3; Phil 2:1-2
Distinctive Three: The Spirit Dependent Ministry
The Holy Spirit is fully God, equal with the Father and Son, whose primary ministry is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. He also convicts unbelievers of their need for Christ and imparts spiritual life through regeneration (the new birth).
The Spirit permanently indwells, graciously sanctifies, lovingly leads, and empowers all who are brought to faith in Christ so that they might live in obedience to the inerrant Scriptures.
The model for our reliance upon the Spirit and our experience of his indwelling and empowering presence is the Lord Jesus Christ himself who was filled with the Spirit and entirely dependent upon his power for the performance of miracles, the preaching of the kingdom of God, and all other dimensions of his earthly ministry.
The Holy Spirit who indwelt and empowered Christ in like manner indwells and empowers us through spiritual gifts he has bestowed for the work of ministry and the building up of the body of Christ.
Although there are different understandings in our networks of the nature and function of these gifts, we all recognize that they are divine provisions central to spiritual growth and effective ministry, and are to be eagerly desired, faithfully developed, and lovingly exercised according to biblical guidelines.
Matt 3:11; 12:28; Luke 4:1, 14; 5:17; 10:21; John 1:12-13; 3:1-15, 34; 14:12; 15:26-27; 16:7-15; Acts 2:14-21; 4:29-30; 10:38; Rom 8:9; 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:7-13; 12:28-31; 14:1-33; 2 Cor 1:21-22; Gal 3:1-5; Eph 1:13-14; 5:18
Article 7: The Church
We believe that the true church1 comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone.2 They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ,3 of which He is the Head.4 The true church is manifest in local churches,5 whose membership should be composed only of believers.6 The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism7 and the Lord’s Supper,8 which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.9
1Matt 16:18; 1 Cor 12:28; Eph 4:4-6; 5:25; Heb 12:28
2Ps 103:12; Isa 44:22; John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Rom 3:20-28; 4:3; 5:1, 21; 8:1, 30, 33-34; 10:4, 9; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9; Phil 3:9; Titus 3:7; Heb 10:14
31 Cor 12:12-27
4Eph 1:22-23; 4:15-16; Col 1:18; 2:19
5Acts 9:31; 20:28-30; Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 1:2; 16:19; 2 Cor 1:1; 1 Thess 1:1; Phlm 1-2
6Matt 18:15-20; Acts 2:41, 47; 14:23; 20:7; 1 Cor 1:2, 9; 11:20; 12:13; 14:40; 16:1-2; 1 Tim 3:1-13; 5:9; Titus 1:5-9; Heb 10:25
7Matt 28:18-20; Rom 6:3-4; Col 2:12
8Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:15-20; 1 Cor 11:23-26
9John 6:55-56; Acts 2:38; 8:39; 16:34; 1 Cor 10:16; 11:29-30; Col 2:12
Distinctive Four: Complementarianism
Both men and women are together created in the divine image and are therefore equal before God as persons, possessing the same moral dignity and value, and have equal access to God through faith in Christ. Men and women are together the recipients of spiritual gifts designed to empower them for ministry in the local church and beyond. Therefore, men and women are to be encouraged, equipped, and empowered to utilize their gifting in ministry, in service to the body of Christ, and through teaching in ways that are consistent with the Word of God.
While husbands and wives are responsible to God for spiritual nurture and vitality in the home, God has given to the man primary responsibility to lead his wife and family in accordance with the servant leadership and sacrificial love characterized by Jesus Christ.
This principle of male headship should not be confused with, nor give any hint of, domineering control. Rather, it is to be the loving, tender, and nurturing care of a godly man who is himself under the kind and gentle authority of Jesus Christ.
The elders/pastors (terms used interchangeably) of each local church have been granted authority under the headship of Jesus Christ to provide oversight and to teach/preach the Word of God in the corporate assembly for the building up of the body. The office of elder/pastor is restricted to qualified men.
Gen 1:26-27; 2:18; Acts 14:23, 18:24-26, 20:17-36; 1 Cor 11:2-16; Gal 3:28; Eph 5:22-33; Col 3:18-19; 1 Tim 2:11-15; 3:1-7, 4:11-16, 5:17; 2 Tim 4:1-4; Titus 1:5-9, 2:3-5; 1 Pe 3:1-7; 1 Pet 5:1-4
Article 8: Christian Living
We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose.1 God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially,2 and to live out our faith with care for one another,3 compassion toward the poor4 and justice for the oppressed.5 With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name,6 we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil.7 In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people,8 always bearing witness to the gospel9 in word and deed.10
1Matt 7:17-18; 12:33, 35; Heb 11:6; Eph 2:10; 1 Cor 10:31; Col 3:17, 23; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Thess 2:13; 2 Cor 5:17; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 5:18; 2 Cor 3:18; Tit. 3:5; 1 Cor 6:11; Rom 6:11, 14; 1 Pet 1:15; Phil 2:12-13; Heb 12:1, 14; 2 Tim 1:9; Jas 2:17; 1 Pet 2:24; 2 Pet 1:3-11
2Deut 6:5; Lev 19:18; Matt 22:37-39; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27
3Rom 12:10; 14:13; 15:7, 14; Gal 5:26; Eph 4:32; 1 Thess 3:12; 5:11, 15; Heb 10:24-25; 1 Pet 4:9
4Deut 15:11; Pss. 82:3,4; 140:12; Prov 14:21,31; 19:17; 22:9,16,22,23; 28:8; 29:7; 31:8,9; Jer 22:16; Gal 2:10; Jas 1:27
5Exod 23:6; Lev 19:15; Pss 82:3,4; 140:12; Prov 29:7; 31:9; Isa 1:17; Jer 9:24; Mic 6:8; Zech 7:9,10; Matt 23:23; Luke 4:18
6Eph 6:10-18
72 Cor 10:3-5; Eph 6:11, 12; 2 Tim 4:7; 1 John 5:3-4
8Matt 28:19; John 20:21; Rev 7:9
9Acts 1:8
10Matt 5:13-16
Distinctive Five: A Missionary Understanding of the Local Church
The church has a clear biblical mandate to look beyond its own community to the neighborhood, the nation, and the world as a whole; thus, mission is not an optional program in the church but an essential element in the identity of the church.
We are called to make Christ known through the gospel and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to bring his lordship to bear on every dimension of life.
The primary way we fulfill this mission is through the planting of churches that plant churches and the training of their leaders. Our aim is that Jesus Christ would be more fully formed in each person through the ministry of those churches God enables us to plant around the world.
We also believe we are responsible neither to retreat from our culture nor to conform to it, but with humility, through the Spirit and the truth of the gospel, to engage it boldly as we seek its transformation and submission to the lordship of Christ.
Isa 52:7; Matt 10:5-25; 28:18-20; Luke 4:18-19; 24:46-47; Acts 28:31; Rom 10:14-15; 2 Cor 10:4-5; Gal 2:10; Eph 3:10; 4:11-16; 2 Tim 4:1-5; Heb 10:23-25; 1 Pet 2:4-5, 9-10
Article 9: Christ's Return
We believe in the personal, bodily1 and glorious2 return of our Lord Jesus Christ.3 The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God,4 demands constant expectancy5 and, as our blessed hope,6 motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.7
1Matt 24:30; 26:64; Acts 1:11; Rev 1:7
2Matt 16:27; 19:28; 24:30; 25:31; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26; 21:27; Col 3:4; 2 Thess 1:10; Titus 2:13; 1 Pet 1:7; 4:13; 5:1, 4
3Matt 25:31; Titus 2:13; 2 Thess 1:6-8; Rev 19:11-21
4Matt 24:36; Mark 13:32
5Matt 24:42-51; Rom 13:11-14; 1 Thess 5:1-11; Jas 5:8-9; 2 Pet 3:10-14; Rev 3:3
6Titus 2:13
72 Thess 1:6-8; 2 Tim 4:8; Titus 2:14; Heb 9:28; 1 John 3:2-3; 2 Pet 3:10-14
Article 10: Response and Eternal Destiny
We believe that God commands everyone everywhere1 to believe the gospel2 by turning to Him in repentance3 and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ.4 We believe that God will raise the dead bodily5 and judge the world,6 assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal punishment7 and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord8 in the new heaven and the new earth,9 to the praise of His glorious grace.10 Amen.
1Acts 20:20
2Mark 1:15; John 6:29; 8:24; 11:26; 14:1; 20:31; Acts 16:31; Rom 3:22; 10:14; Gal 3:22; 1 Tim 1:16; 1 Pet 1:8; 1 John 3:23
3Isa 55:6-7; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:37-38; 3:19; 14:15; 20:21; 26:17,18; Rom 2:4; 2 Cor 7:9-10
4John 1:12
5Isa 26:19; Dan 12:2; 1 Cor 15; 1 Thess 4:13-18; Rev 20:13
6Ecc 12:14; Matt 12:36; 26:31-32; Acts 17:31; Rom 14:10; 2 Cor 5:10; 2 Tim 4:1; Rev 20:12
7Matt 25:46; Luke 16:26; 2 Thess 1:9; Rev 14:11; 21:6, 8; 22:14, 15
8Matt 25:34, 46; John 14:2; Rev 21:1-3
9Isa 65:17; 66:22; Rom 8:19-21; Heb 12:26-27; 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1; 22:3
10Eph 1:6, 12
Article 11: Marriage, Gender and Sexuality
We believe that God defined marriage as the life-long covenant between one man and one woman, and that all forms of sexual activity outside of marriage are sin.1 We believe that God immutably creates each person to reflect His image as male or female.2
1Gen 2:24; Matt 19:4-6; 1 Cor 6:15-7:6; Eph 5:3-7
2Gen 1:26-31; 2:18-25; 5:1-2
Along with our doctrine, we write philosophy of ministry papers to help communicate our positions on items of important to doing ministry at Genesis. See below.
Family Ministry
To see our position paper on family minstry, go here.
Worship
Watch online or join us in-person for a Sunday morning service. You’ll see our heart for the Lord, our style, and our care for God’s Word.
Connect
Fellowship is more than just a Sunday service. We have many small groups you can join to further connect with other believers.
Disciple
Join us as we discover the Lord and dig deeper into our relationship with Him, and support one another in our efforts to grow.
Our Mission Is To Make Jesus Known
About Genesis Community
Founded in 2011
Members of the Acts 29 & Houston Church Planting Network
We believe one God has eternally existed as the three equal yet distinct persons of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Non-denominational
We believe it shouldn’t be that hard to find a church community where you feel like you belong. We’re here to help your family find fellowship in a Biblically-centered environment so you can feel welcomed and encouraged in your Christian walk. As partners with the Acts29 network, a diverse group of church-planting churches, we believe in living gospel-centered lives, and we care about bringing biblical truths to the world.
