our beliefs

The following are the core beliefs of First Assembly Meridian based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

God has existed for eternity, and just as God will continue to exist forever, the human soul will live for eternity as well. Our eternity will be spent one of two ways: with God (heaven) or apart from God (Hell).
John 3:16, 36; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15

God is one entity made up of three persons: The Father, The Son, & The Holy Spirit. While each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they are equally powerful and equally authoritative.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 1:35; John 5:21-23; 14:10, 16; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:8-10; James 2:19

God is all powerful, all knowing, and ever present. He is not only our creator, but He is our merciful and loving Father that has existed and will continue to exist forever. He is true to His people and His promises.
Exodus 3:14; Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; Psalm 11:4-6; Malachi 3:6; John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:1; Acts 17:28; Romans 3:3-4

The Son, Jesus Christ, was born to a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on a cross, and rose from the grave all for the purpose of restoring our relationship with God. Christ is the only way for this restoration.
Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 28:5-6; Luke 22:70; 24:46-47; John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 11:25-27; 17:1-5; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 8:1-3; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Gal 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16

After Christ’s return to heaven, the Holy Spirit was given to us by God. The Holy Spirit guides us and empowers us to draw closer to God and to complete the mission of the church. He provides us with gifts and understanding that we don’t possess within ourselves.

We operate in ALL gifts of the spirit.
 
Genesis 1:2; Psalm 51:11; 139:7 ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Mark 1:10; Luke 1:35; 4:1; 11:13; 12:12; John 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 13:2; Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 12:7-11; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 22:17

The Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit and written by human authors. It is without error and completely relevant to our lives.

Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalms 119:11, 89, 105; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 3:16

Christ’s work on the cross was payment for our sins that separate us from God. When we acknowledge our sin and place our faith in the death and resurrection of Christ, we then become children of God. Salvation can not be attained by our efforts, but only by accepting this gift through faith.

Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7; Matthew 1:21; 27:22-66, 28:1-6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16-18; 3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 3:20

All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry.
Mark 16:20; Luke 24:49; John 7:37-39; Acts 1:4; 1:8; 2:42-43; 4:8; 8:12-17; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Hebrews 12:28

Before Christ returned to heaven, he challenged his baptized believers to share His message of hope to world. This community exist today to bring honor to God through unity and the sharing of His unconditional love. 
Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32; Colossians 1:18; 3:15; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 21:2-3