GOD

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

JESUS

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.

THE BIBLE

The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.

PEOPLE

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

SALVATION

Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment a person receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith

ETERNITY

People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER

We believe that Baptism by immersion is an outward sign of an inward work (Matt. 28:19). We believe in the commemoration of the Lord's Supper by the symbolic use of the bread and juice of the vine. (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25)

THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE

We believe that it is the will of God that we walk in the Spirit daily (Ephesians 4:30-32).

THE GIFTS AND FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit has gifts to bestow upon the Christian; and that we should show spiritual fruit as evidence of a Spirit-filled life (1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Galatians 5:22).

MODERATION

We believe that the experience and daily walk of the believer should never lead him into extremes of fanaticism (Philippians 4:5).

MARRIAGE

1. We believe that marriage is the exclusive, covenantal union of one man and one woman, which was designed by God. Genesis 2:24 states, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” Jesus Christ affirmed this in Matthew 19:4-6: “And He answered and said, ‘Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” We will faithfully follow this scriptural definition of marriage in the teachings and practices of The Garden and therefore will not officiate, perform or host a marriage or marriage-like ceremony involving anything other than what the scriptures outline as a covenant union of one man with one woman as instituted by God.
2. We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexual conduct, bestiality, pedophilia, rape, incest, any use of pornography or any attempt to change one’s sex, are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex.
3. We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with scripture nor the doctrines of The Garden.
(Genesis 1:27-28, 2:24, 19:5, 13, 26:8-9 / Exodus 20:14 / Lev. 18:1-30 / Matthew 19:3-12 / Romans 1:26-29 / 1 Cor. 5:1, 6:9 / 1 Thess. 4:1-8 / Ephesians 5:22-33 / Hebrews 13:4)

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