What We Believe

Hillside is a full gospel church which serves and loves the God of the Bible, in His fullness. We believe that all of the church and its activity described in the book of Acts is not only relevant for today, but is to whet our appetite for more!

The full gospel we preach is summed up best by Paul in the book of Romans:

"…in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God…I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." (Romans 15:19)

Our Beliefs:

We believe in one God, manifesting Himself as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

(Gen. 1:26; Deut. 6:4; 1 Kg. 8:60; Matt. 28:19; Mark 12:29; John 14:26; 15:26; Acts 2:33; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 1:3-14; 4:4-6; Jas. 2:19; 1 Pet. 1:2; 3:18; 1 John 5:7; Rev. 1:4-5)

We believe the Bible to be verbally inspired, the inerrant Word of God, and, when rightly interpreted by the Holy Spirit, to be the infallible rule of faith and practice.

(Psa. 45:1; Ezek. 1:3; Matt. 24:35; Luke 24:27; Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21)

We believe in the creation and subsequent fall of man, with the result that he, without God, is in a state of total spiritual depravity, unable to attain to God’s standard of righteousness by means of his own will, wisdom and strength. Unregenerate man needs a Savior and to become Regenerated (born again) by God’s Spirit.

(Gen. 1-3; Rom. 3:23; 5:12-19; 6:23; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 2:1-3)

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ to be the only Savior of all men, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, fully God and fully man. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures. He personally appeared in His new body to His disciples before ascending to His seat at the right hand of God in the heavens. Jesus' Redemptive work (His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension) reversed the curse concerning the spirit, soul, and body of the first man Adam. He is the only Way to the Father, the only valid Door and entry into the realm of Spirit.

(Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; John 10:1; 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Cor. 15:3-8; Gal. 3:13-14; 1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 4:14-16; 8:1-6; 10:12-13)

We believe in personal regeneration, that one must be born again to see and enter the Kingdom of God. This salvation of sinners is only attained by grace through faith in the perfect and all sufficient finished work of Jesus Christ. The ground of this justification by faith is the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God.

(John 1:29; 3:1-8; 17:4; 19:30; Acts 13:38-39; Rom. 5:1-2; Eph. 2:8-9; Rev. 13:8)

We believe that this conversion experience described in the scriptures must includerepentance which then is to be followed with water baptism by immersion in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. The old man is put to death and the new creation man arises to walk in newness of life.

(Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 2:28; 6:1-14; Col. 2:11-12; 1 John 5:8)

We believe in observing often the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. The Table of the Lord is the ongoing celebration of the New Covenant.

(Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:23-30)

Regarding these issues, we have no room for compromise. These reflect what we believe to be the essential, core beliefs of the Christian faith as revealed by the scriptures. Following, however, are some beliefs that we hold, which may be subject to differences between different groups of believers. While we may not see eye to eye on these, we can still have fellowship and build the Kingdom of God together with them. In order to be a part of HCF as a member; however, you are agreeing with the following doctrinal distinctions.

We believe that the gifts and activity of the Holy Spirit are not only valid for today – they are to be apprehended and sought after by every believer. The full gospel includes not only the spoken word, but the demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power. The Great Commission includes the working of signs and wonders, and we are commanded to desire and earnestly pursue the gifts of the Spirit – especially prophecy. We will operate in the gifts with a balance between freedom to grow, and a supervised atmosphere where heresy will not be permitted to grow.

(Mark 16:15-18; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 10:8-9; 1 Corinthians 14:39-40; 1 Corinthians 12-14; Romans 15:18-19; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

We believe that the balance of scripture indicates that women should be received as equals and co-heirs in the body of Christ to the men, and honored in whatever spiritual gift they carry. This includes the gift offices of elders and pastors. Women are free to teach, preach, lead, and administrate as God has gifted them. We view this as the restoration of the mutual reign over the earth intended prior to the fall, restored now in Christ. We also recognize from the NT scriptures that this was the practice of Paul and the other apostles in their oversight of the first church.

(Genesis 1:26-28; Galatians 3:27-28; 1 Corinthians 12:28, Romans 16:1-2, 7, Acts 21:9, 2 John 1)

We believe that all saints are called to “the ministry,” and that Pastors and other “five-fold” ministry gift offices exist to equip the saints for their ministry – not do all of the ministry. As such, every member of the body will be called upon to minister to one another, and will therefore need to be willing to receive ministry from others besides the appointed leadership.

(Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Romans 15:5-7)

Our Values:

1. We honor the presence of the Lord in our individual and corporate lives by accommodating His presence.

That means: Deferring to the Spirit during gatherings to adjust our agendas to fit what He is doing. Our timetable for meetings is not fixed; we will move as the Spirit moves, and not try to make anything happen that the Spirit is not doing. We will make room for the active use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit during our gatherings under the coordination of church leadership.

2. We honor one another regardless of age, gender, or maturity in the Lord, receiving one another as we would receive Christ.

That means: Our corporate gatherings will be times of training for our children, and for spiritual children as well. We will err on the side of freedom, and make corrections where needed for the benefit and growth of the immature. The strong will bear with the weak so they can grow in a safe place to fail. We will not judge by external appearance, but make every effort to grow in our ability to recognize Christ in our fellow family members. Women are permitted to serve in any capacity, including as pastors and elders.

3. Ministry belongs to all of the saints, and the role of pastors and leaders is to equip the people for their ministry—not do all of the ministry.

That means: Every member of HCF is expected both to give and receive the grace of God given to each member. When the Holy Spirit moves in our midst, every member should feel obligated to respond accordingly — whether prophesying, praying, exhorting, and/or serving. Have a mindset of existing for the benefit of others.