First Christian Church of Napa exists to live in God’s grace so everyone can experience God’s love.
OUR CORE VALUES
We find our story in God’s story.
As seasons change and new generations begin, we find purpose by being rooted in God’s unchanging story of hope and healing. We are living out our individual stories through God’s everlasting story.
[Gen. 1:1; Jn 1:1; Rev. 22:13]
We are a family.
Though we come from different backgrounds, we celebrate the unity of being one family of faith. We welcome everyone, right where they are in life, into a growing relationship with Jesus as we intentionally invest into families of all shapes and sizes.
[Jn. 8:35; Eph. 1:5; 2:19; 3:15; Heb. 2:10-12;1 Pet. 5:9; 1 Jn. 3:9 (NLT)]
We live generously.
We are enthusiastic about our faith story and we are willing to devote our lives to God’s extravagant mission. We are willing to go the extra step and demonstrate the grace of God so others might find the same hope and healing we have experienced.
[Jn.3:16; Lk. 6:37-38; Acts 20:35; Rom. 12:8; 2 Cor. 8 – 9; Eph. 4:28-29; 1 Tim. 6:18]
We serve others.
We recognize that life is not all about us and we purposefully look outside our house of faith to help others experience God’s grace. We not only gather together; we go together to bring hope and healing to others.
[Lk 10; Lk. 16:13; Jn. 12:36; Rom. 7:6: 12:7, 11; 2 Cor. 6:8; Gal. 5:13;1 Pet. 4:10]
OUR CORE BELIEFS
“In Essentials, Unity; In Non-Essentials, Liberty; and in All Things, Love.”
In the things that are the “core” of Christianity, we are to be united. Things that are not “essential” in respect to salvation we consider opinions and there is to be liberty (flexibility) concerning these topics. Above all, love is to be practiced in everything.
GOD
God is the eternal and true God who exists in three persons: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He has revealed Himself as the Creator, as Righteous in all things, and Perfection in all things.
[Genesis 1]
Jesus Christ
He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and was crucified as a sacrifice for our sins. He was bodily resurrected from the dead (which was witnessed by more than 500 people) and returned (ascended) to heaven to prepare a place for those who accept Him as Savior and Lord. He will come again to receive His Church to Himself.
[Matthew 1:22-23]
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, who convicts us of sin, righteousness and judgment. Upon conversion, He resides in the believer, and is our teacher. He is the power to live the Christ-like life and is our guarantee of our salvation.
[Acts 1:8]
People
Men and women were created in God’s image. We are all sinners by choice and thus condemned by our own sin against God. At the same time we are the most valuable thing in all of God’s Creation. We have never met a human being that God did not desperately love and care about. By acceptance of God’s plan, we can be saved, our sins forgiven and we can become His children.
[Genesis 1:27]
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 and 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 Lord of their life. This is evidenced by repentance, confession, baptism by immersion, and a life committed to His service.
[Acts 16; Ephesians 2:8-9]
The Gathering Church
The Church is the Body of Christ on earth. Christ is the head of His Church. The Church, as a Body, is made up of many parts (People) who have become Christians through faith, repentance, confession and baptism into Him. We not only belong to God, we belong to each other.
[Romans 12]
Eternal Life
Some day Jesus will return to take His Church (Bride) home. He, at that time, will raise the dead and judge the world. Every person who is a Christian (washed in His Blood) will live with Him forever.
[John 14:1-3]