Hope Chapel is a Foursquare Church. The Foursquare Gospel is by no means a new or modern gospel. It is the same gospel proclaimed in the early church. Foursquare is simply a name applied to help describe the four most important aspects of the gospel taught in the New Testament.
In addition to the four major tenets of faith, the Foursquare Church is Trinitarian. Trinitarian means that we believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ His one and only Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Foursquare Church proclaims the Bible as true, immutable, steadfast and unchangeable. Foursquare churches practice Water Baptism by immersion, and Communion is observed regularly.
Hope Chapel believes that Sexuality is created by God and is good. We are created and embodied as male and female. In community we reflect image and accomplish His purpose in the world (Genesis 1:26 28). We are created for committed intimate community, free from shame (Genesis 2:24 25).
Since Jesus and His Word have never changed, His instruction to His church today remains the same. The church has been called and enabled to minister in His Name to bring wholeness through salvation, power to be witnesses through the infilling of the Holy Spirit, healing and wholeness, and hope for the promise of Jesus’ return.
The Foursquare Gospel
JESUS CHRIST, THE SAVIOR Jesus Christ is the only hope of humanity. Jesus loved us and died to save us from the penalty of our sin and rebellion. The salvation He brings begins with a person’s decision to put faith in Him. That decision opens a lifetime of being healed, restored, delivered from oppression, and set free to stand in spiritual, emotional, and physical wholeness (Luke 4:18)
JESUS CHRIST, THE BAPTIZER WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT Some of Jesus’ last words to His disciple’s concerned empowerment. He charged them to carry on the good works He modeled for them. He promised that He would send the Holy Spirit to give them the power to spread the good news about Him. On the Day of Pentecost, in Acts 2, the disciples experienced the presence and power of God as they became witnesses of Jesus Christ.
JESUS CHRIST, THE HEALER Jesus went about “doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38). Jesus draws us to Himself in love and then touches us with healing power. He perpetuates that healing power by promising that signs and wonders would follow His followers as they went out to minister (Mark 16:17-18)
JESUS CHRIST, THE SOON-COMING KING Jesus ascended into Heaven, the angels declared that He would return to take His church to live with Him forever (Acts1:10-11). This is the great hope of those who believe in Jesus as their Savior.
BIBLICAL CULTURAL VALUES:
1. CULTURE OF LOVE John 13:34-35 (NIV)
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
2. CULTURE OF SERVING Matthew 20:28 (NIV)
“just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
3. CULTURE OF HUMILITY 1 Peter 5:5 (NLT)
“In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble”
4. CULTURE OF FAITH Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him”.
5. CULTURE OF HONOR Romans 12:10 (NLT)
“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
1Th. 5:12 (NLT)
“Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.”
6. CULTURE OF UNITY Psalm 133:1-3 (NIV)
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”
7. CULTURE OF GENEROSITY Luke 12:33 (NIV)
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
Acts 2:46
They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.”