We believe that the Scriptures comprised of 66 books contain the only written revelation, given by the Holy Spirit to human authors. The Word of God is free from errors in the original manuscripts, constituting the only infallible and sufficient rule for life and godliness. (Ps. 19:7-9; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21; 3:16).

We believe that there is one true and living God, perfect in all attributes, one in essence, yet eternally existing in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) each equally deserving of devotion and worship. (Deut. 6:4; Jn. 20:28; Acts 5:3-4; Ro. 11:36; Col. 2:9).

We believe that man and woman were directly and immediately created by God in His image and likeness. Though originally free from sin, mankind fell and rebelled, resulting in death, both spiritual and physical. All the offspring of Adam and Eve are then born sinful and morally wicked in nature, actions, and will, unable to wake themselves to spiritual life and to do good without God's spiritual intervention. (Gen. 1:27; 2-7; 3:1-13; Eccl. 7:29; Rom. 3:11; 5; 12-21; 8:7-8; Eph. 2:1-8).

We believe that God created human beings in two embodied sexual kinds—male and female (Gen. 1:26-27). We believe that God designed men and women to unite in marriage, which is complementary, involving one of each sexual gender, exclusive, and permanent. (Gen. 2:18, 24; Mat. 19:4-6; 1 Cor. 7:39; Heb. 13:4). Click Here for the Statement on Gender, Marriage, and Sexuality.

We believe that the eternally existing Son of God came in time and space to take on flesh. Fully God and yet fully man, He was without sin. In perfect righteousness He came to fulfill the offices of Prophet, Priest, and King. He was crucified, buried, and raised to life. He ascended to heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Lk. 14:25-26; 22:69; Jn. 1:1-3, 14; Acts 3:20-23; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 2:6-8; Heb. 4:15; 5:5-6).

We believe that the cross of Christ is the only means by which we can be made right with God, whereby God provides substitutionary righteousness on the basis of Christ's righteousness and atoning death. His righteousness is received on our behalf through faith alone, by Christ alone, excluding any and all good works of our own. (1 Cor. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9; Ro. 5:6, 18-19; Gal. 2:21; Eph. 2:8-9; Ro. 8:31-34; Acts 11:18).

We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells all believers. He, likewise, convicts of sin, increases desires for righteousness and obedience, leads in truth, brings assurance, empowers, and gives spiritual gifts to the church. Therefore, true believers grow in grace and knowledge and are completely and eternally kept by the power of God. (Jn. 14:16-18; 16:4, 7-11, 14; Acts 1:8; 4:31; 16:14; Ro. 8:16; Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13; 1 Thes. 1:5; Jude 24-25).

We believe that believers comprise the Church and are one Body, having Christ as their Lord, God's glory as their aim, and the proclamation of His gracious forgiveness as their mission. This Body is manifested in local congregations that seek to represent His spiritual Body, the universal church, with baptism, teaching, fellowship, prayer, discipline, and the Lord's Supper. We believe that the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper are to be administered to believing, regenerate Christians. (Mt. 18:15-20; 28:19-20; Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 10:31; 11:23-26; 12:4-7; Gal. 6:1; Eph. 4:11-12; Col. 1:18; 2 Tim. 4:1-3).

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, some to life and righteous rest with God, others to darkness and judgment. We believe that Christ will return in glory to gather His church to Himself. This is the blessed hope for the believer. (Mt. 24:31; 25:46; 1 Thes. 4:15-17; 2 Tim. 4:1).

We believe in a literal heaven and hell, and that all men will either spend eternity under God's just and holy judgment or in His glorious presence. (Mk. 9:43-48; 2 Thes. 1:9; Rev. 21).

The following statement was drafted to provide the congregation at Desert Springs Church with an explicit articulation of what is assumed and taught from Scripture throughout our ministries concerning gender, marriage, and sexuality. While we could say more than this, we certainly can’t say less. We pray that this statement will serve to unify our body and equip us all for a clear and cogent witness to the goodness, the beauty, and the truth of God’s Word on these precious gifts of God to us all.

We believe that God created human beings in his image in two sexual kinds—male and female (Gen. 1:26-27). Gender is a part of God’s good creation and is bound to its roots as a biological reality. It is identifiable at birth and is to be evident in the course of everyday life in expressions of masculinity and femininity.

God designed men and women to unite in marriage, which is: complementary (involving one of each sexual gender), comprehensive (involving all of life, including physical sexual union), exclusive (monogamous and faithful), permanent (until separated by death), and a generative union (designed for and oriented toward the bearing and rearing of children) (Gen. 2:18-25). Through this union, a husband and wife picture for humanity the relationship between Christ and his church (Eph. 5:22-33).

A part of God’s benevolent design, marriage is basic to human flourishing and arises in cultures across history from realities that are discernable in creation (Rom. 1:18-27): the anthropological reality that men and women are different and complementary; the biological reality that they unite to create new life; the sociological reality that children deserve to be with the mother and father that created them. Only a man and a woman can unite in marriage since only a man and a woman can unite in a way that honors the nature of human sexuality.

Sexual intimacy is the exclusive privilege and responsibility of a husband and wife (1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4). Because of Adam’s sin, every human being is born sexually perverted, creatively and destructively seeking sexual fulfillment in ways that ignore the Creator, reject his design, and distort his intent. Any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Matt. 15:18-20; 1 Cor. 6:9-10).

While all people are sexual sinners, God offers redemption to all who confess and repent of their sin, seeking His mercy for forgiveness through Jesus Christ. By means of God’s Spirit, his Word, in the context of the church, real transformation is possible for sexual sinners of every kind, even if final glorification awaits us in the new creation.

All persons—regardless of what they may believe or practice—are worthy of kindness, dignity, and respect because they are made in the image of God. Love for God and people requires that Christians speak clearly about these things and that they do so in a manner consistent with the compassion and conviction of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

We purpose, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love, to strive for the advancement of this Church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the Church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.

We also endeavor to maintain family and private devotions; to educate our children in the Christian faith; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our commitments, and exemplary in our living, to avoid all gossiping, backbiting and excessive anger.

We further commit to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the teaching of our Savior to seek it without delay.

We moreover resolve that when we remove from this church, to do so in a manner consistent with biblical love, communication, truth, and the good of Christ’s Body; and further, to unite with a church where we can carry out the principles and spirit of this covenant.

I expect and trust that as I lax in my commitment to these principles this body at Desert Springs Church will hold me accountable with reproof, rebuke and exhortation to keep me faithful to the commitment that I am making; and furthermore, as I commit myself to this fellowship, I realize that I am entrusted with the same obligation of mutual exhortation and encouragement. If I ever continue in my sin without true repentance, and do not hear the pleas and rebukes of my brothers and sisters in Christ, I implore this body to seek my spiritual restoration in proceeding in the steps of restoration and purity given by Jesus in Matthew 18:15-20.