Our Beliefs
Doctrine matters because what we believe shapes how we live. Scripture calls the church to hold firmly to sound teaching—not just in belief, but in everyday life. What we believe about God, ourselves, and the world influences our worship, our relationships, our decisions, and our hope. When we understand who God is and what He has done for us in Jesus, we have a steady foundation to stand on, even when life is uncertain.
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The Bridge is a non-denominational church rooted in historic Christian orthodoxy, as expressed in the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed. We hold tightly to the essential truths of the Christian faith while also creating space for honest questions and thoughtful conversation. We don’t expect everyone to have everything figured out, but we do want to be clear about what we believe and why.
Throughout church history, Christians have wrestled with how to hold both truth and unity together. Not every doctrine carries the same weight, and disagreements don’t have to lead to division. That’s why we organize our beliefs into four tiers—holding firmly to what is essential, while allowing freedom in areas where faithful followers of Jesus may differ, and choosing love in all things.
One of the ways we guard both sound doctrine and unity in our church is through what we call the "Four Doctrinal Tiers". We take positions in all tiers but see them as carrying different weights.
Four Doctrinal Tiers
1st Tier Issues
The hills we’ll die on.
2nd Tier Issues
Convictions we defend as critically important.
3rd Tier Issues
We can debate these and still maintain unity as a church family.
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4th Tier Issues
Disagree? We won’t try to change your mind.
(Litmus test: things that would make it into a salvation conversation, drawing heavily from the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds)
Tier 1: The hills we'll die on
The Nature of God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe, existing eternally and independently of His creation. He is one God who exists in three distinct, co-equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Gen. 1:1, 26–27; Ps. 90:2; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14
The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who became fully human without ceasing to be divine. He lived a sinless life, died as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sin of humanity, rose bodily from the dead, ascended in glory, and will return again to reign as King and Judge.
John 1:1–5, 14; Isa. 9:6; 1 Cor. 15:3–4; Acts 1:9–11; Titus 2:13
The Person and Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is fully God, equal with the Father and the Son. He convicts the world of sin, indwells every believer at salvation, empowers righteous living, and guides believers into truth.
John 14:16–17; John 16:7–13; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 3:16; Gal. 5:25
The Nature and Need of Humanity
God created men and women in his image, endowing them with dignity and purpose, yet all people are marred by sin. Sin separates us from God and leaves us unable to rescue ourselves.
Gen. 1:27; Ps. 8:3–6; Rom. 3:23; Isa. 53:6; Isa. 59:1–2
Salvation by Grace through Faith
Salvation is the free gift of God—forgiveness of sins, freedom from death and hell, and adoption into the new family God is creating in Christ. Salvation is received by grace alone through faith alone in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ. It cannot be earned through human effort or moral performance.
Eph. 2:8–9; Rom. 5:1; Titus 3:5; John 1:12; John 14:6
Eternal Human Destiny
At death, each person’s eternal destiny is sealed, and every person will experience final judgment. Those who are united to Christ will enter eternal communion with God in resurrection glory, while those who reject Him will be separated from God in everlasting judgment.
John 3:16; Rom. 6:23; Matt. 25:31–46; 1 Cor. 3:12–15; 1 Cor. 15:12–28; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:11–15
Tier 2: Convictions we defend as critically important
(Litmus test: if you don’t align with these, you’ll likely be uncomfortable at The Bridge)
The Authority and Unity of Scripture
The Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God and the final authority for Christian belief and living. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christians' beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.
2 Tim. 3:16–17; 2 Pet. 1:20–21; Ps. 119:105; Luke 24:27, 44
The Lordship of Jesus Over All of Life
Jesus is not only Savior but Lord. Following Him involves submitting every area of life—beliefs, desires, relationships, and practices—to His authority.
Luke 6:46; Matt. 16:24–25; Rom. 12:1–2; Col. 1:15–18
Spiritual Gifts for the Building Up of the Church
Every believer is endowed by the Holy Spirit with gifts intended for the building up of the church and the advancement of God’s mission. These gifts are to be exercised in love and mutual dependence.
1 Cor. 12:4–7; Rom. 12:4–8; Eph. 4:11–13; 1 Pet. 4:10–11
The Centrality of the Great Commission
The Church is called to make disciples of all nations through the proclamation of the gospel and the intentional formation of followers of Jesus. Every believer shares in this mission.
Matt. 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:18–20; Rom. 10:14–15
Believer’s Baptism and Communion (The Table of Jesus)
Baptism is an act of obedience for those who have personally trusted in Jesus Christ, symbolizing union with His death and resurrection. Communion (also known as the Lord’s Supper or the Table of Jesus) is a symbolic act of remembrance and anticipation of Christ’s return.
Matt. 28:19–20; Acts 2:41–42; Rom. 6:3–5; 1 Cor. 11:23–29; Col. 2:12
Full Participation in the Life of the Church
The local church is God’s primary means of forming disciples and advancing His mission in the world. Followers of Jesus are called to actively participate in the life of a local church through worship, community, service, and mission.
Acts 2:42–47; Heb. 10:24–25; 1 Cor. 12:12–27; Eph. 4:15–16
Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality as God’s Design
Marriage, gender, and sexuality are good gifts designed by God to be lived out in faithfulness to Him. God’s design is intended for human flourishing and is expressed through covenant faithfulness and obedience to Christ.
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Note: we have drafted full position papers on these issues that are available upon request.
Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4–6; Eph. 5:31–33; 1 Thess. 4:3–5
Tier 3: We can debate these and still maintain unity as a church family.
(Litmus test: people at The Bridge will believe differently on these issues)
Tier 3 Examples
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Creation timing and method (six day creation vs. day-age theory vs. theistic evolution)
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Application of grace in salvation (predestination and free will)
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Particular expression of spiritual gifts (speaking in tongues, prophecy, etc.)
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Eschatology timing and order of events (e.g. millennium, tribulation, rapture, etc.
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Etc. (This could be a long list!) ​​
Tier 4: Disagree? We probably won’t try to change your mind
(These are matters of preference and conscience. Litmus test: if we divide over these things, something’s not right)
Tier 4 Examples
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Style of worship music in church
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Clothing style in church
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Whether or not Christians should consume alcohol
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Whether or not Christians should have tattoos
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Etc. (This could be a very long list!)
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