About First Church
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Welcome to the web page of First Church in Valparaiso, Indiana. We believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordained by the Lord Jesus himself - baptism as a symbol of entrance into the body of Christ and the Lord's Supper a regular reminder of the death, resurrection, and return of Christ. Baptism symbolizes the believer's death to sin and new life in Christ. Those baptized are done so in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Together they are simultaneously God's pledge to us, divinely ordained means of grace, our public vows of submission to the once crucified and now resurrected Christ, and anticipations of his return and of the consummation of all things.
We believe that people are the supreme object of God's creation with infinite value and worth. Every stage and expression of human life is precious to God, especially pre-born babies, the aged, and the physically and cognitively challenged. Every person is of inestimable worth to God regardless of race, age, gender, economic status, sexual desire, or citizenship, and is to be valued, honored, and loved by His people. It is our joy to no longer consider others according to the flesh but rather according to the spirit. The Kingdom of God is a diverse family made up of people from every race, ethnicity, language, and geo-political background.
About Jesus Christ: We believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son and was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross, was resurrected from death, and ascended to heaven where he sits at the Father's right hand. We believe that Jesus will come again to claim his bride, the church. (John 3:16; Matthew 1:18; Romans 5:6-11; John 20:24-31)
About Tenacity: Never give up - A river cuts through rock, not because of its power but because of its perseverance. 'Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus... who for the joy set before him endured the cross... so you will not grow weary and lose heart' - Hebrews 12:1-3