Elyria Christian School

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.”

– Isaiah 40:31

Doctrinal Statement

This school is independent and non-denominational. We realize that all churches are not in complete agreement on all issues. We, therefore, will not teach or advocate practices which might tend to be divisive. Teachers or staff may express their own beliefs when asked by students, but the teachers will not force their church beliefs on the students. The following statements are considered to be basic tenets on which there should be general agreement, though there may be minor questions about workings or applications.

1. Verbal Inspiration – We believe in the verbal inspiration and plenary authority of both the Old and New Testaments, and that they are the supreme and final authority in all matters of life and faith. (II Timothy 3:16-17)

2. Trinity – We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and that these three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes and perfections, and worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence and obedience. (Genesis 1:1; John 10:30, 4:24; 1:1-4; Isaiah 63:8-10; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 12:29; Acts 5:3,4; II Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:1,3; Revelation 1:1-3)

3. Man’s Condition – We believe man was created in the likeness of God, but because of sin has become totally depraved, without hope for eternity except through acceptance of salvation made possible by the shed blood and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:10-23)

4. Satan – We believe in the reality and personality of Satan, and that he is to be resisted by the power of the Holy Spirit, who is our strength. (James 4:7; I John 4:4; Revelation 20:10)

5. The Virgin Birth – We believe that God the Son became incarnate in the person of Jesus Christ, who was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary and is true God and true man. (Luke 1:26-35; I Timothy 3:16; John 1:1,2, & 14)

6. Blood Atonement – We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a substitutionary sacrifice; and that all who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood. (Romans 3:24, 25; I Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7)

7. Resurrection – We believe in the bodily resurrection and Lordship of Jesus, and the bodily resurrection of the saved to eternal life – the lost to eternal condemnation. (Acts 2:32; Rom. 1:4)

8. Person and work of the Holy Spirit – We believe the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and regenerates, indwells, enlightens and empowers the saved. We will not advocate speaking in tongues. (John 16:8; I Corinthians 3:16)

9. Assurance of Believers – We believe that all the redeemed are kept eternally secure (positional sanctification) by the power of God through the new birth, the indwelling and sealing of the Holy Spirit, and the intercession of Christ. (Ephesians 4:30; Philippians 1:6; John 10:28, 29; Romans 8:35-39; Jude 1; I Peter 1:5; John 5:24)

10. Separation from the World – We believe all the saved are called into a life of separation from all worldly and sinful practices. (James 4:4; Romans 23:1-2; I John 2:16; II Corinthians 6:14)

11. Two Natures of the Believer – We believe that those who are born again have the life of God within them, and that they can and should be victorious over the old fleshly nature through the strengthening power of the Holy Spirit. We believe that the teaching of the complete eradication of the old fleshly nature is unscriptural. (Romans 6:13, 8:12, 13; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:10; I Peter 1:14-16; I John 3:5-9)

12. Second Coming of Christ – We believe in the personal and imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ for His saints at the Rapture and with His saints at the Revelation. (Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:16-17, 3:13; Revelation 19:11-16)

13. The Eternal State – We believe in the eternal, conscious punishment of every unsaved person, and the eternal joy of every saved person. (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 22:11; John 14:16; Philippians 3:10)

14. Missions – It is the obligation of the saved to witness by life and word and to proclaim the Gospel to all the world. (Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 15:1-4)

15. Ordinances – We believe that Communion and Water Baptism are ordinances for believers and therefore are not to be regarded as a means of salvation. (I Corinthians 11:23-34; Matthew 26:26-30, 28:18-20)