The sole basis of our belief is the Bible- the 66 books of the Old & New Testaments. We believe Scripture in its entirety originated with God (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and He revealed it to chosen authors. Scripture speaks with the authority of God as men were inspired with the Holy Spirit, (2 Peter 1:20-21) while simultaneously reflecting the backgrounds, styles and vocabularies of these human authors. We hold that the Scriptures, in their original manuscripts, are mistake-free and without error; they are the unique, full, and final authority on all matters of faith and practice. (Proverbs 30:5-6) There are no other writings similarly inspired by God.
We believe there is one God, eternally existing in three equal and unique persons- Father, Son, Holy Spirit, co-equal in power, glory, and perfection. God exists in perfect unity and community within Himself. He is the only being worthy of worship and is working all things to the glory of His great name.
God the Father is creator, (Genesis 1:1, 1 Corinthians 8:6), ruler and sustainer. He gives revelation to mankind so that we will know him and his will more fully. (Rev. 1:18) The Father orchestrated the plan of salvation. (Eph 1:5).
Jesus Christ, the eternal second person of the Trinity, was fully united with a human nature by a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He lived in perfect obedience to the Father, voluntarily paid the price for the sins of all people by dying on the cross as their substitute and satisfied divine justice, bringing salvation to all who trust in Him alone. After his physical death, Jesus Christ rose from the dead and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father as the only intercessor between God and humans. He promises to return to earth, personally and visibly, to fulfill history and the eternal plan of God.
(Isaiah 7:14; Matt. 1:22-23; 28:1-6; Mark 16:1-5; Luke 24:1-6; John 14:1-6, Acts 1:9-11; 1 Cor. 15:3-7; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 2:8-9; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 9:12)
The Holy Spirit is the eternal third person of the Trinity sent by the Father and the Son to be with us forever (John 14:16B). He will guide, teach and remind us of all truth (John 14:16; 16:13) and is also the believers’ helper (John 14:16B). The Holy Spirit indwells believers and seals them until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). The Holy Spirit assists believers in prayer (Jude 1:20; Romans 8:26-27), gives new birth, (John 3:5-8) and renews the believer (Titus 3:5). He is our comforter and counselor, leading believers into righteousness (Galatians 5:16-18). The Holy Spirit baptizes and empowers believers for service, witness and protection from the enemy (Acts 1:8; 2:38-39). He is a gift giver (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) and glorifies the Father and Son (John 16:14). The Holy Spirit convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8).
We believe that humanity was created in the image of God by God. He was created to glorify God, worship Him, serve Him, and have fellowship with Him. Man fell through sin by disobeying God, thus incurring both physical and spiritual death, which alienated him from God. This fall took place at the beginning of human history; since then all people have suffered these consequences and are in need of the saving grace of God. Since then, every human’s nature has been corrupted. Mankind is utterly lost, dead in trespasses and sins, totally incapable of saving himself and coming back into a right relationship with God by his own merit or effort (Genesis 1:26; 2:17; 3:17-24; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:9-19, 23; 5:6-8; Luke 18:26-27; Eph. 2:1-3).
The salvation of mankind is fully dependent on a work of divine grace; a work that was fully accomplished by Jesus Christ. We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross provides the sole basis for forgiveness of sins and salvation, which is the free gift obtained by repentance and faith. Salvation is only possible by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. God’s Word assures individuals of his saving work in them. Salvation cannot come by man’s work or personal merit. Salvation is presented through the proclamation of the gospel, calling people to place their faith in Jesus Christ and repent of their sins.
(John 6:44; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 2:8-9; Titus 3:5)
We believe that every Christian should live for Christ and not for himself. He should, by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, allow Christ to manifest His life through him to God’s glory. By ever increasing obedience to the Word of God, each believer should mature and progressively become more like Jesus. In the power of the Holy Spirit, each believer should live a holy life, exercise his spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ, witness for Christ; be involved in making disciples to fulfill the Great Commission, perform good works, and bear fruit to the glory of God. (Matthew 28:18-20; John 15:8, 16; Acts 1:8; Romans 6:11-13; 12:2; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 1:10; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2:11; 4:11; 4:22-24)
We believe the church is the body of Christ of which Jesus is the head and whose members are those who have received God’s grace through faith and repentance in Jesus (Matt 16:18; Eph. 2:8-9; 5:23). In conjunction, the pastor and elders shepherd the church and the deacons care for the needs of the church (Acts 6:3-4; Eph. 4:12; 1 Tim. 3:1-13). The church is to love God and others and is to make disciples, being led by the Spirit for the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ (Matt 28:18-20; Rom. 8:14; Col. 1:24-29)
The Struthers Parkside Church is an incorporated religious organization, Christian and ecclesiastical in nature, established to worship God, proclaim the gospel for the salvation of mankind, stand firm in the Word, evangelize, gather together for divine worship and Christian fellowship, for Godly living as is agreeable to the Holy Scriptures, for voluntary association with other Christians and denominations as may be appropriate to carry out our faith, and for such other pious purposes as may be appropriate to carry out the dictates of conscience and the greater purposes of being His church.
We as a church are called to glorify God by 1. Loving God with all our heart and mind and soul and loving our neighbor as our self (Matthew 22:37 known as the Great Commandment) 2. Making disciples (Matthew 28:19, 20 known as the Great Commission) (adopted by Session 1/2012).