Dogwood Hills Church Beliefs

We believe the Bible was written by human authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is completely true and trustworthy, revealing God’s character, His plan of salvation, and His will for how we should live. The Old and New Testaments together tell one story of redemption centered on Jesus Christ. Therefore, Scripture is our final authority for faith and practice, living and active to teach, correct, and equip God’s people for every good work.

Scripture References: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21

We believe God is three distinct persons, equal in divinity and purpose, united in perfect love. The Father is the source of all creation and the author of salvation. The Son, Jesus Christ, is fully God and fully man, who came to reveal the Father, redeem humanity, and reign forever as Lord. The Holy Spirit is the promised Helper who convicts of sin, gives new life, and empowers believers to live in holiness and truth.

Scripture References: Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-3, 14; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:4-6

We believe Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor. He is the only Savior and mediator between God and humanity, and He will one day return to judge the living and the dead and to establish His eternal kingdom.

Scripture references: John 1:1–14; Luke 1:30–35; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Acts 1:9–11; Philippians 2:5–11; 1 Timothy 2:5; Revelation 19:11–16

We believe every person is created in the image of God with dignity and worth, yet all have sinned and fallen short of His glory. Sin is rebellion against God that separates us from Him and corrupts every part of human life. We are powerless to save ourselves and in need of God’s mercy and grace.

Scripture References: Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 6:23

We believe the shed blood of Jesus Christ is the full payment for sin and the foundation of our salvation. On the cross, the sinless Son of God bore the judgment we deserved, satisfying divine justice and reconciling us to the Father. His sacrifice was once for all, complete and sufficient. His blood continues to cleanse and sanctify us as we walk with Him.

Scripture References: Romans 5:8-9; Hebrews 9:12-14; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7

We believe sanctification is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit that sets believers apart from sin and shapes them into the image of Christ. It begins at salvation and continues throughout life as we yield daily to the Spirit, obey God’s Word, and grow in maturity. Holiness is not achieved by human effort but produced by the Spirit in those who walk in obedience and love.

Scripture References: Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; Philippians 1:6

Holiness is not about perfectionism but about transformation. It’s learning to desire what God desires and to reflect His character in everyday life. Spiritual growth takes time, often through testing and surrender. The more we abide in Christ (John 15:4–5), the more His life is formed in us. True holiness is never cold or prideful — it is humble, loving, and Spirit-filled, showing the world what God’s grace can do in a yielded life.

We believe the Holy Spirit empowers every believer with spiritual gifts for the glory of God and the good of others. These gifts are to be exercised in love, humility, and order, always pointing people to Jesus. The true evidence of the Spirit’s presence is the fruit of the Spirit — Christlike character formed in us as we walk by the Spirit each day.

Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Romans 12:6-8; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Peter 4:10-11

Expanded Explanation: The Holy Spirit equips every believer with gifts that strengthen the Church and advance God’s mission in the world. These include gifts such as teaching, serving, encouraging, giving, leading, showing mercy, healing, prophecy, miracles, tongues, and interpretation of tongues (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:8–11). Each gift is distributed by the Spirit as He wills, and all are meant to work together in harmony for the common good.

While the gifts display the Spirit’s power, the fruit of the Spirit displays His nature. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23) mark a life surrendered to God. Gifts without fruit can become prideful; fruit without service can become passive. The Spirit desires both—power and purity, expression and character—so that together the people of God reflect the beauty and truth of Jesus Christ.

Baptism is the outward expression of an inward faith — a public declaration of identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic meal of bread and cup, reminding us of His sacrifice and the new covenant in His blood. Both are acts of worship and obedience that strengthen our faith and unity as His body.

Scripture References: Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Colossians 2:12

We believe Jesus Christ will return for His Church in what Scripture describes as the rapture — when believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. This event will precede a seven-year tribulation, a time of great distress on the earth when many will come to faith amid persecution. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will return visibly with the armies of heaven, defeat the Antichrist, and reign in victory.

Scripture References: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Matthew 24:21, 30; Revelation 19:11-16**

Expanded Explanation: The promise of Christ’s return is a source of hope and urgency for every believer. Scripture teaches that a day is coming when the Lord will descend from heaven with a shout, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then, those who are alive and remain will be caught up — raptured — to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). This moment will usher believers into His presence and deliver them from the coming wrath.

Following the rapture, the earth will enter a period known as the Tribulation — a seven-year time of intense suffering, deception, and judgment (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 6–18). During this time, God’s purposes of justice and mercy will unfold as many come to salvation even amid persecution.

At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will return visibly with the armies of heaven (Revelation 19:11–16), defeat the Antichrist, and establish His kingdom on earth. The rapture gives believers comfort in sorrow, courage in trial, and motivation for evangelism — for “the night is nearly over; the day is almost here” (Romans 13:12).

We believe that after the Tribulation, Jesus Christ will establish His millennial kingdom — a literal thousand-year reign of peace and righteousness on the earth. During this time, Satan will be bound, and the saints will reign with Christ. At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be released briefly, defeated, and cast into the lake of fire forever. God will then create a new heaven and a new earth where His people will dwell with Him eternally.

Scripture References: Revelation 20:1-6; Isaiah 11:4-9; Zechariah 14:9; 2 Peter 3:13**

Expanded Explanation: After the Tribulation, Christ will return to establish His millennial reign — a literal thousand-year kingdom of peace, justice, and restoration. During this time, creation will flourish as never before: nations will live in harmony, and “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). Satan will be bound, unable to deceive the nations, and believers will reign with Christ in glorified bodies (Revelation 20:4–6).

At the end of this millennium, Satan will be released for a final rebellion, only to be swiftly defeated and cast into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:7–10). Then, God will bring forth a new heaven and new earth — not merely repaired, but completely renewed (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1).

This eternal hope anchors our faith. The story of history does not end in chaos but in restoration. Christ will reign as King of kings, and His people will dwell with Him in unbroken fellowship forever. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20)!