Our Beliefs

We believe that what we practice as Christians should be deeply rooted in God's unchanging Word, the Bible. Our core beliefs, though expressed in different ways, do not shift with emotion or culture.

Below is the Eleven34 Communities Statement of Doctrinal Stance, outlining our core values and how we live them out. While we acknowledge that biblical interpretations have varied throughout history, our stance is aligned with historical, biblical Christianity. The Nicene Creed serves as a beautiful summary of our most fundamental beliefs.

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit He became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried. On the third day He rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic* and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

* Note: catholic refers to the universal Church, the Bride and Body of Christ – not in specific reference to the Roman Catholic Church

Doctrinal Stances:

THE TRINITY

The Christian Church and the Bible teach that God is both one and three at the same time. There is only one God, but He exists as three distinct and eternal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This concept is known as the Trinity.

2 CORINTHIANS 13:14 | JOHN 1:14 | MATTHEW 28:19 | MATTHEW 3:16-17

GOD THE FATHER – YHWH

God the Father lovingly created and sustains all things. He made humanity in His image for a relationship with Him. After humanity's rebellion, He initiated a plan through Christ to restore that fellowship.

2 TIMOTHY 3:16 | HEBREWS 4:12 | 1 PETER 1:23-25 | 2 PETER 1:19-21

GOD THE SON – Yeshua/Jesus

Jesus Christ is eternally God and was with the Father and Holy Spirit from the beginning, participating in creation. For humanity's salvation, He became a man through the virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit. He is forever one person with two natures: fully God and fully man.

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT – Ruach ha’Kodesh

The Holy Spirit is fully God and the Giver of life. Active in the Old Testament, He was given to the Church in His fullness at Pentecost. He empowers Christians for service, cleanses us from sin, and transforms us to be more like Christ. Following conversion, the baptism in the Holy Spirit releases His fullness, which is shown through the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-11 | LUKE 11:13 | JOHN 7:37-39, 14:16, 17, 16:7-14 | ACTS 2:1-18

HOLY SCRIPTURE – The Bible

We believe the Bible, which includes the Old and New Testaments, is the only inspired, infallible Word of God. Its authority is ultimate and eternal, and it cannot be changed. The Bible is the ultimate source for all Christian doctrine and provides everything needed for guidance in living a godly life.

2 TIMOTHY 3:16 | HEBREWS 4:12 | 1 PETER 1:23-25 | 2 PETER 1:19-21

THE ATONEMENT

Christ's death on the cross paid the penalty for the sins of the world. However, the benefits of this sacrifice are applied only to those who accept Jesus as their Savior. The Atonement also provides for the healing of our body, soul, and spirit, as well as all of God's provisions for His people, which are received through faith.

ACTS 4:12 | ROMANS 4:1-9, 5:1-11 | EPHESIANS 1:3-14

THE FALL OF MAN

By nature, all people are sinners, lost and without hope apart from God. Although we are God's most precious creation and He has provided His very best for everyone, each person must choose to receive Him.

ROMANS 3:19-23 | GALATIANS 3:22 | EPHESIANS 2:1, 2, 12

SALVATION

The Bible clearly teaches that salvation is a free gift from God, offered through the sacrifice of His Son. We receive this gift by faith.

Salvation begins when we personally repent, believe in Jesus, and accept Him as our Lord and Savior. This new life in Christ gives us the privileges of being adopted into God's family and inheriting His kingdom.

Salvation is a choice we make in response to God's love for us. God knows in advance who will choose Him, but this does not mean our choice is not our own. Our salvation is secure because God's love and commitment to us are eternal and unchanging. A life of salvation should be reflected in active, loving obedience, and service to Jesus Christ.

ACTS 4:12 | ROMANS 4:1-9, 5:1-11 | EPHESIANS 1:3-14

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

The Christian life is a balance between God's eternal promises and our personal journey of spiritual growth. While God's provision for us is complete, our failures are due to our ongoing process of sanctification, or becoming more like Christ. This journey includes trials and spiritual struggles, but those who remain faithful to Christ are guaranteed eternal blessing. Remaining faithful requires a reliance on the Holy Spirit and a willingness to surrender our own desires.

THE CHURCH – Its Purpose & Leadership

The Church's purpose is to fulfill the Great Commission: to make disciples and help believers grow to be complete in Christ. This happens as we live life together, encouraging one another to follow Jesus in our daily lives.

We are all parts of the greater Body of Christ, and we grow through mutual submission and service. Everyone has something to contribute to help others mature in their faith. The Church is guided by leadership—including elders, deacons, and others—who help facilitate this growth and maintain biblical order and discipline within the community.

BAPTISM AND COMMUNION

The Bible instructs the Church to observe two perpetual ordinances established by Jesus Christ, each holding a sacred mystery.

Baptism

Baptism is an outward sign of an inward transformation that has already occurred. It publicly declares that a person belongs to Jesus and identifies with His death and resurrection. This sacrament is performed in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper is a mysterious communion with Christ, a symbolic act that commemorates His death and is celebrated in remembrance of Him until He returns. It signifies our participation in His life and sacrifice.

Both of these sacraments are for believers only.

MATTHEW 28:19 | 1 CORINTHIANS 11:24-26

ESCHATOLOGY

We believe in the physical and personal return of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of believers, the Millennium (a thousand-year reign of Christ on Earth), and the Final Judgment. This judgment will determine the eternal destiny of all people, based on their relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We also affirm the final state of eternal life in the new heavens and the new earth.

BIBLICAL MARRIAGE

We believe in loving all people unconditionally while remaining loyal to God's Word. We hold to the traditional, biblical definition of marriage as a sacred covenant exclusively between one man and one woman. This understanding, rooted in the teachings of the Bible, has been affirmed throughout human history and is the foundation for healthy relationships and communities, as established by our Creator.

eleven34 Communities Core Values

- Wholehearted Love for God and Others: Loving God with our entire being and selflessly loving others.
- Christian Unity & Discipleship: As a diverse family, we are united in making and equipping new disciples.
- Expanding the Kingdom: Working to advance God's Kingdom on earth and for eternity by being Spirit-filled missionaries.
- Christ is Our Center: Our purpose, identity, and fulfillment are found in Christ alone.
- Worship & Family: We are devoted worshippers who build loving, Christ-centered families.
- Joyful Sojourners: We face life's challenges with faith, joy, and a commitment to enduring to the end.

eleven34 Communities PRACTICES

- Simplicity and Spirit-Led Gatherings: Our gatherings focus on being led by the Holy Spirit rather than on complex production.
- Contribution over Consumerism: We encourage active participation and contribution from everyone, rather than passive consumption.
- Small Gatherings and Discipleship: We prioritize small group meetings for intentional and multiplying discipleship.
- Our Practices: Our time together includes Communion, Worship, teaching from the Word, and Prophecy.
- Church Multiplication: We are committed to regularly multiplying our gatherings to reach more people.