Beliefs & Mission

We believe that the inspired Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testament, are the ultimate authority for all matters of faith and practice. This means that we should evaluate all aspects of church life in the light of Scripture. (2 Peter 1:19-20; 2 Timothy 3:16)

We believe that there is one and only one God, and that He exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are three distinct persons but without division of nature, essence or being. (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 15:11; Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4)

We believe that Jesus Christ was God’s only Son. We believe He was born of a virgin, that He lived a perfect life, that He died on the cross, and that He was raised on the third day. We believe that the church exists and functions in submission to the person and will of the resurrected Savior. We believe that a person’s participation in the ministry of a local church is in part a declaration by him of his surrender to the lordship of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13; Acts 1:24-25)

He is the third person in the Trinity. We believe that the Holy Spirit instantaneously dwells within a person at the point of justification by faith. He regenerates, seals, anoints, guides, teaches, and baptizes all believers into the Body of Christ. (John 3:5; John 14:16-17)

We believe that church membership is for those who have truly confessed their allegiance to Jesus Christ as Lord. Only those who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit can have membership with our church. (Jeremiah 31:31-33; John 3:7)

Church discipline is the process by which a local church works to restore a professing Christian who has fallen into sin. We believe that the Scripture gives the church the mandate to participate in church discipline for the hope of renewal. (Matthew 18:15-17)

We believe in the “priesthood of all believers” and therefore we believe that every member has the right to make decisions concerning matters within the church. Fellowship Meridian is a staff served, committee led, congregation governed church. (Acts 6:1-6; Acts 15)

Baptism: We believe that baptism outwardly signifies the inward, saving action of God in the life of the believer. Baptism is the initiatory rite into the membership of the church. We believe in baptism by immersion. (John 3:23; Mark 1:10)

The Lord’s Supper: The Lord’s Supper is a practice that we participate in often as a commemoration of the Lord’s death. In order to participate in the Lord’s Supper, you must be a professing, baptized (or preparing to be baptized) believer. (Luke 22:7-23)

We believe in the ability to practice our faith without the intrusion or interference of civil governments. We believe that each individual has the right to believe as he chooses. We also believe that all religious congregations have the right to structure their faith and practice in accordance with their understanding of truth. (Romans 13:1-7)