The Outlet Watsonville
STATEMENT
OF FAITH
We, the Outlet, believe in unity without compromise. We recognize that there will likely be little differences in theological background; but if we believe in the same Jesus and preach the same gospel, there is much more that unites us than divides us. Though this statement is not comprehensive, we want church leaders to be confident that their youth and young adults will be presented with sound teaching here at the Outlet.
THE INSPIRATION AND INERRANCY OF SCRIPTURE:
We believe the canon of Scripture is the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21) and was revealed progressively throughout redemptive history (Ephesians 3:1-6). The Bible is God’s complete and sufficient revelation; it is to be upheld as the unchanging and infallible Word of God (Psalm 19:7-14; Matthew 5:18) - a timeless guide for all generations (Isaiah 40:8).
We believe the Holy Spirit divinely worked through the authors ensuring every word was accurately written exactly as God intended (1 Thessalonians 2:13; John 10:35-36), and that each word was recorded in such a way to reflect the author’s individual style, personality, and cultural background (Galatians 1:15-16; Acts 4:25-26).
We believe the canon of Scripture, in its original manuscripts, is without error or fault (Psalm 19:7-8; Proverbs 30:5; Matthew 24:35).
THE TRINITY AND THE HYPOSTATIC UNION:
We believe in one God (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) who eternally exists in three Persons (Matthew 28:19; Genesis 1:26): the Father (Matthew 6:9), the Son (John 1:14; Matthew 3:17), and the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). These three are distinct in personhood, yet coequal, coeternal, and of the same essense, together comprising the one Godhead (Hebrews 1:1-3; Corinthians 3:16-17).
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We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal and perfect Son of God who took on human nature as the incarnation. He is both fully God and fully man (Philippians 2:5-11); one Person in perfect unity (Colossians 2:9), without confusion, change, or separation (1 Timothy 3:16). His two natures operate in perfect harmony - each action being done as both truly God and truly man (Hebrews 2:14-17; 1 John 2:1-2; Colossians 1:13-14).
THE ORIGIN OF HUMANITY AND THE ROLE OF HUMAN GENDER:
We believe God created man on the sixth day (Genesis 1:24-31) out of the dust of the ground (Genesis 3:19, 23; Psalm 103:14) and breathed the breath of life into him (Genesis 2:7; Job 33:4; Acts 17:25). God then created woman from the side of man (Genesis 2:21-22), and they became husband and wife (Genesis 2:24). Together they bore children (Genesis 4:1), thus all of humanity descended from Adam and Eve (Acts 17:26).
We believe God created males and females equally in His image, each possessing full dignity, value, and worth, while also distinct in biological design (Matthew 19:4; Psalm 139:13-16). We affirm that mankind did not emerge through the means of the evolutionary process, but that humans were made uniquely by God (Genesis 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 15:39).
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We believe God instituted the covenant of marriage to be exclusively between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24; Leviticus 18:22; Jude 1:7). All sexual activity outside of God's good design for marriage, including same-sex relationships, is considered sinful according to Scripture (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:2; Romans 1:26-27). ​​​​
THE PRESENCE AND THE CONSEQUENCE OF SIN:
We believe all humans are sinful by nature from the moment of conception (Romans 3:23; Psalm 51:5; Ezekiel 18:20; Ecclesiastes 7:20). Sin separates humans from God (Isaiah 59:2), brings hurt and suffering (Romans 2:9), and has corrupted all creation (Romans 8:22-23; Genesis 3:17-19). The final consequence of sin is death (Romans 6:23), that is, eternal separation from God in a place called the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15).
JUSTIFICATION AND SALVATION:
We believe all of humanity stands guilty before God according to His holy law (Romans 3:20). Yet, as a free gift of God's grace (Titus 3:7), justification comes through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24). Therefore, a believer is declared righteous before God by faith (Romans 5:1).
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We believe that, in an act of love and mercy (Romans 5:8), God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16), to die on a cross as the full and final payment for our sin (1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 2:24). On the third day, Jesus rose from the grave (Luke 24:1-12; Romans 6:4), conquering sin and death (Revelation 1:18; 2 Timothy 1:10), and is now seated at the right hand of God (Romans 8:34).
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We believe that, by the repentance of sin (Acts 2:38; 2 Peter 3:9) and a personal belief in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 16:31; John 11:25; Romans 10:9-10), a person receives the free gift of salvation (Romans 5:10-11; 6:23).
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We deny justification by works (Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16). Justification is by grace alone through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Salvation is found in Christ alone - He is the only way to heaven (John 14:6).
THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the present and active ministry of the Holy Spirit, who indwells the believer at the moment of salvation and empowers them to live a godly life (Galatians 5:22-23; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 6:19). The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin (John 16:8), regenerates hearts (Titus 3:5), seals the believer in Christ (Ephesians 1:14), guides the believer into all truth (John 16:13), and distributes spiritual gifts for the edification of the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
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THE ETERNAL STATE OF BELIEVERS AND UNBELIEVERS:
We believe those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their Savior will spend eternity in the presence of God in a place called heaven (1 Peter 1:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:17). There, believers will receive resurrected bodies (1 Corinthians 15:50-54) and they will dwell in a perfect place free from sin, suffering, pain, and death (Revelation 21:4; 7).
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We believe that all who do NOT trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior will spend eternity separated from God in a place called the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15; 21:8). There, they will consciously endure eternal punishment under God’s righteous judgement for their sins (Romans 2:5; Colossians 3:5-6) in a place of darkness, torment, weeping, and gnashing of teeth (Luke 13:28; Matthew 25:30).
THE ETERNAL STATE OF BELIEVERS AND UNBELIEVERS:
We believe those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their Savior will spend eternity in the presence of God in a place called heaven (1 Peter 1:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:17). There, believers will receive resurrected bodies (1 Corinthians 15:50-54) and they will dwell in a perfect place free from sin, suffering, pain, and death (Revelation 21:4; 7).
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We believe that all who reject Jesus Christ as their Savior will spend eternity separated from God in a place called the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15; 21:8). There, they will consciously endure eternal punishment under God’s righteous judgement for their sins (Romans 2:5; Colossians 3:5-6) in a place of darkness, torment, weeping, and gnashing of teeth (Luke 13:28; Matthew 25:30).
THE RETURN OF CHRIST:
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ will return soon (John 14:1-3; Hebrews 9:28) to fulfill all remaining prophecies (Zechariah 14:4), to judge the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1;), and to establish His eternal kingdom (Matthew 25:31-34).
THE LOCAL AND UNIVERSAL CHURCH:
We believe the local church is a consistent gathering of born-again believers (Hebrews 10:25) within a particular locational context (Acts 15:41; Philemon 1:1-2). Each group is to submit to their leadership (Hebrews 13:7) whom God has appointed to shepherd their local body (1 Peter 5:1-3). The church is to gather together (1 Corinthians 11:18) with the purpose of glorifying the Father (Ephesians 3:21), remembering the Son (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), and edifying each other through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:5) .
We reject the notion that THE OUTLET is to be a substitute for the local church (Hebrews 10:24-25). Rather, it is to be a place where Christian young people come together to be encouraged and equipped (1 Thessalonians 5:11), so they can better serve the local church and community where the Lord has already placed them (1 Peter 4:10-11; Acts 2:46).
We believe the universal church is a single entity (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 2:20) that consists of all born-again believers (John 3:3; Acts 20:28) who are collectively the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:22-23), a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Peter 2:5), and the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:23-27). All believers are positionally unified in body, Spirit, calling, Lord, faith, baptism, and Father (Ephesians 4:4-6). They are called to walk in this unity with love and integrity (Ephesians 4:2), so that the world may believe (John 17:20-23; 1 Timothy 3:7).