OUR core BELIEFS

In this we believe.

The sole basis of the InnerLife Ministries beliefs is the Bible, God’s infallible written Word, the sixty-six books contained in the Old and New Testaments.


We believe that it was uniquely and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, and that it was written without error (inerrant) in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme and final authority in all matters on which it speaks. We accept those areas of doctrinal teaching on which, historically, there has been general agreement among all true Christians.


We believe the Bible is the ultimate authority in faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). The Bible tells us the greatest story ever told about God’s amazing and loyal love (kesed) for us (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). We believe the Bible to be God’s gift to humanity so that we can know God intimately and live in His presence (John 17:17). It also instructs us on godly living and how to be right with God and with our fellow human beings (Philippians 2:1-4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12).


We believe that those who have become children of God through regenerative faith in Jesus Christ are united in one spiritual body, the body of Christ, the Church (Matthew 16:18; Romans 12:4-8; Colossians 1:18). The Church meets in local assemblies (the local church) for the purpose of glorifying God through worship, study of the Bible, fellowship, sharing the Gospel with others, and making disciples. As such, we believe the Church to be a key instrument God uses to change people within our culture.


We believe that human beings, both male and female, were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). We believe that through the sin of Adam and Eve all of humanity experiences physical, spiritual, and relational death, and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature (Genesis 3:1-7; Romans 5:12).


We believe that Jesus Christ became a human being by the power of the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary, and is both true God and true man (Luke 1:35; Luke 2:7; Luke 2:11; Luke 2:52). As a perfect, sinless man and God in the flesh, Jesus Christ was crucified and died in our place so that we can become children of God by faith in Him (Romans 8:3-4, Romans 15-16). It is only by faith in Christ that a person is saved (John 3:5-7; Romans 10:9-10).


We believe that the regeneration of the believer extends to our new identity in Christ. As we relate to God as our caring Father, and as we yield our inner life under the influence of the Holy Spirit, this process, along with the Holy Spirit, brings forth the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).


We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, His ascension into Heaven, His current life with God our Father as our Advocate and High Priest, and His future physical return in power and glory (Matthew 28:6-7; John 14:1-4; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25-26; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:1-2; Revelation 19:11-16).


We believe in the resurrection of the saved to live in the blessed presence of the Triune God forever and in the resurrection of the lost to live in eternal torment separated from God forever (Luke 13:28; Luke 16:19-31; Luke 23:43; John 3:18; Philippians 3:20-21; Revelation 20:11-15).

  • Are you affiliated with any church or denomination?

    We were birthed out of the Cru movement some 15 years ago, and that has shaped some of our thinking and DNA. We squarely hold to historic Protestant Christianity.


    That said, InnerLife as an organization does not hold a defined theological position on matters such as: specific soteriology, eschatology, the use of charismatic gifts, and similar secondary issues.


    Because of that, our staff hold differing views on these various positions as well -- yet we are all unified by historic Christian orthodoxy and a shared mission.


    That has allowed us to serve churches from a wide variety of streams, including Presbyterian, Bible Churches, Baptist, Calvary Chapel, Pentecostal, non-denominational, Methodist, and many others.

  • What do you believe on gender, sexuality, and marriage?

    We believe God created humanity male and female, and that this sex difference is an intrinsic part of His design for marriage and human sexuality (Genesis 1:27; 2:24). Christian marriage is a lifelong covenant union between one man and one woman, lived in mutual love, respect, and fidelity (Mark 10:6–9). We believe sexual intimacy is God’s good gift, intended to be exercised and enjoyed within the covenant of marriage, and that sexual activity of any kind outside of marriage falls outside His design (1 Corinthians 6:18–20; Hebrews 13:4). 


    We also believe the Fall has affected every part of our humanity, including our sexuality, and that all people experience desires and brokenness that must be brought under the lordship of Christ. At the same time, every person bears the sacred image of God and is therefore worthy of dignity, compassion, and respect.