Summit exists to make disciples
for the glory of God.
The Scriptures are clear that God is about one thing above all else: His glory. Therefore we make it our aim at Summit Church to pursue His glory as well, and we do so through the being and making of disciples. A disciple is someone whom God has reconciled to Himself in Christ and now follows the teachings and commands of Jesus. In Matthew 28 Jesus gives his disciples a clear mandate to go and make other disciples. This is where our mission statement is derived. This truth is highlighted in 2 Corinthians 5 as well. As those who have been reconciled to God through the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are now ambassadors of reconciliation to a lost and broken world. We plead, urge, implore, reason, pray, serve, preach, teach and gather to see God glorified through His saving grace. Not to be overlooked, an integral component to our mission of making disciples includes the embedded reality that we ourselves are first disciples.
A fundamental component to our mission of making disciples is the understanding that we ourselves are first disciples. It would be difficult to explain, or even exemplify, what it means to be forgiven and redeemed by Christ if one has not yet experienced that themselves. Any attempt would sound more like a textbook definition rather than a passionate, life-giving testimony. Therefore, being a disciple begins with genuinely loving and delighting in God’s Truth, character, will, and presence. Being a disciple is a continual process of growth. It requires us to incessantly and earnestly seek to strengthen our relationship with Christ. There are three areas for a disciple to develop and maintain: their head, heart, and hands. Our “head” holds the knowledge and understanding of who God is, who He says we are, and what He is calling us to do. Our “heart” holds God as the object of our affection which leads us to conviction and repentance. Finally, our “hands” hold our motivation, through the knowledge and affection for God, to serve Him, fulfill His will, and live like His Son Jesus. As we continually develop each of these areas, we are shaping ourselves to look more like Christ. As we become more mature disciples, we will begin to make disciples by intentionally doing what Jesus did, teaching what Jesus taught, and representing Him in His absence.
We Believe
God:
God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are coequal and are one God.
(Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, 1 Peter 1:2, 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Jesus:
Jesus is the Son of God. He is coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit. 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 and will return again.
(Matthew 1:22, 23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5, 14:10-30, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3-4, Acts 1:9-11, Colossians 2:9-10, 1 Timothy 6:14-15)
The Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit lives in each Christian from salvation. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He provides Christians with power, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance for living like Christ.
(Acts 1:8, John 14:16-17, 16:7-13, Galatians 5:25, 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16-17, Ephesians 1:13, 5:18, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Peter 1:2)
Scripture:
The Bible is God's Word to us. The Bible was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error. Each book is to be interpreted according to its context and purpose and in reverent obedience to God who speaks through it in living power.
(2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6, Proverbs 30:5, Isaiah 55:11)
People:
People are the supreme object of God's creation. People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." Sin separates us from God.
(Genesis 1:27, Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:23, Psalm 8:3-6, Isaiah 59:1-2, Psalm 139:13-16, Colossians 2:13-15)
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 one receives Jesus Christ as their lord and savior.
(Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 14:6, 1:2, Titus 3:5, Galatians 3:26, Romans 5:1, 10:9-10)
Eternity:
People will exist eternally with or without God. 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 in Heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
(John 3:16, 14:17, Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:15, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 25:31-34, Matthew 25:41)
To learn more about what we believe, check out our Non-Essential Beliefs page.