God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal 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.
About Jesus
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. 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's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10- 30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13.
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16: 7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18.
About The Bible
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5.
About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2.
About 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 into his life by faith. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1.
About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christians. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5.
About Eternity
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. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existences. John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9.
Mission Statement
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Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church
We exist to glorify God by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all people and equipping believers in authentic faith, one home at a time.
Core Values
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We are committed to God-centered, Bible-based Worship that engages the generations together.
Worship is indispensable to our faith and is the basis of every aspect of our ministry. Therefore, we encourage all members and guests to meet regularly for corporate worship. You can expect Bible-based preaching that is easy to understand and applicable to everyday life. Our adoration, confession, repentance, affirmation, and dedication through prayer, preaching, Bible reading, music, and offerings demand our best. We will equip the generations to live a life of worship. We approach worship with humility and reverence. Romans 12:1-2
We are committed to Christian Discipleship led by the Holy Spirit.
We seek God’s will in our daily lives through individual and family worship, prayer, Bible study, and stewardship. We seek to be faithful to God’s teachings and honest and truthful in our dealings with others. We strive to grow in Christian maturity that will be exemplified in our character and conduct. Our discipleship is focused on applying God’s truths in our daily living and prepares us for effective service to God and ministry to others. As joyful stewards, we are faithful in giving and administering the blessings God has provided. Our stewardship includes our finances, our time, our talents, our whole being, and all of God’s creation. We are also called to disciple others through bible study, accountability and prayer. John 8:31- 32
We are committed to a loving Fellowship.
Our congregational fellowship is a reflection of God’s unconditional love and grace. We will “minister to the next family through the door” in a spirit of humility and love by caring for all within the congregation and bearing each other’s burdens. Our actions are based on integrity, trust, honesty, and respect. We pursue a spirit of unity and cooperation in all that we do. We will encourage every member to be committed to regular participation and spiritual accountability. Hebrews 10:25
We are committed to local, national, and global Missions.
Individually and collectively, we are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ with people everywhere. We are committed to following the Great Commission, sending believers who are led by God to take the Gospel beyond the walls of our church. We will steward God’s resources and our facilities to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the people in our community and around the world. As we seek to do God’s will in our mission ministries, we cooperate with others who share our values and beliefs. Matthew 28:18-20
We are committed to living out our Christian Faith.
Core doctrinal beliefs include: the authority and inerrancy of scripture, belief in the one and only eternal triune God (Father, Spirit, Son), the priesthood of the believer, salvation by grace through faith, the autonomy of the local church, missions, evangelism, social ministries, and the celebration of believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper. 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Statement of Faith
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In Essential Beliefs
We have UNITY -
"There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:4-6.
In Non-Essential Beliefs
We have LIBERTY -
"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. ...Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. ... So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. ... So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God." Romans 14:1,4,12,22.
In All Our Beliefs
we show CHARITY "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:2.
Seven Practices
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Bible as our sole authority
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness,..." 2 Timothy 3:16
Since God's Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the
Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is "What
does the Bible say?" We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible
memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.
Autonomy of Each Local Church
"And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from
among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy." Colossians 1:18
Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, group, or religious
organization. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with other
groups of Christians, we believe every local church should be self-governing and
independent from any denominational control. In relating to our "daughter churches" that
we sponsor, we encourage each congregation to determine it's own strategy, structure,
and style.
Priesthood of Every Believer
"...and He has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father;..."
Revelation 1:6a "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness
into his wonderful light;..." 1 Peter 2:9
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to "full time" Christian service, regardless
of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by
encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has
direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading.
Tithing
"A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees,
belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD." Leviticus 27:30
At Cottonwood Creek we practice tithing for the support of Christ's body, the church, as
God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard of
giving.
Immersion
"...having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the
power of God, who raised him from the dead." Colossians 2:12
We practice baptism by immersion under water - the way Jesus was baptized, and the
way the Bible commands.
Spirit-Led Living
(Jesus said), "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he
will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God's power within us.
So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God's Spirit to enable us to do what is right.
(Phil. 2:13; Eph. 5:18)
Telling Others About Christ
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for
the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those with whom
God brings us into contact. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting
friends to church.
Our Affiliation
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The Southern Baptist Convention
It is the largest association of Christian churches in Texas and in America
One out of every 10 churches in America is affiliated with the SBC (40,000
churches and 15 million members - more than most other denominations
combined).
The Southern Baptist Convention
It is the most diverse association of churches.
SBC churches include every race, nationality, and ethnic group. Each Sunday,
services are held in over 80 languages in the U.S. One out of every three African
American in the U.S. is a Southern Baptist.
The Southern Baptist Convention
It is one of the fastest growing groups. The SBC baptized over 1,000 new Christians a day in the U.S. and begins nearly
5 new churches a day!
