About
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WHAT WE BELIEVE
In essential beliefs — we have unity.
There is one body and one Spirit . . . there is one Lord, one faith one baptism, and one God and Father of us all . . . (Ephesians 4:4-6).
In non-essential beliefs — we have liberty.
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters . . .
Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls . . . So, then each of us will give an account of himself to God . . . So whatever you believe about things keep between yourself and God (Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22).
In all our beliefs — we show love.
If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains—but has no love, I amount to nothing at all (1 Corinthians 13:2 Ph).
Our Pastors and Leadership
Max Souza
As lead pastor, Pastor Max has been helping grow MPChurch into the multicultural center it was planned to be. He holds a bachelor's degree in theology and is currently working on his Masters in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Pastor Max and Cris live in San Bruno, CA with their two daughters, Stella and Anabell.
Juan Campos
As part of the vision of a multicultural church, Pastor Juan Campos is serving as pastor of our growing Hispanic Ministry here at MPChurch. After migrating from El Salvador, Juan became credentialed as an Assemblies of God minister. Juan serves alongside his wife Edith and his two adult children to reach the Spanish-speaking community of South San Francisco and the surrounding San Francisco Bay Area.
THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are co-equal and are one God. Genesis 1:1,26-27,3:22; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily. 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalms 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
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 inducement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as:
- an overflowing fullness of the Spirit, John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8
- a deepened reverence for God, Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28
- an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work, Acts 2:42
- and a more active love for Christ, for His Word and for the lost, Mark 16:20
- Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; 1:8; 2:4; 8: 12 – 17; 10: 44 – 46; 11:14 – 16
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude that separates people from God and causes many problems in life. Genesis 1:27; Psalms 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness, can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8; Matthew 2:44,46
What we Practice
Beliefs are not worth much unless they are translated into actions. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following seven practices:
The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us to do what is right (2 Timothy 3:15).
Since God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is “What does the Bible say?” We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.
Christ is the head of his Body, the church. He is the source of the Body’s life (Colossians 1:18 GN). Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, group, or religious organization.
While recognizing the value of associating or cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe every local church should be self-governing and independent from any denominational control. In relating to our “daughter churches” that we sponsor, we encourage each congregation to determine its own strategy, structure, and style.
Christ loves us, and by His Death, He has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to serve God . . . (Revelation 1:6 GN).
You are . . . the King’s priests . . . God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God (1 Peter 2:9 GN).
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full-time” Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading.
A tithe of everything you produce belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord (Leviticus 26:30).
At MESSAGE of PEACE we practice tithing for the support of Christ’s Body, the church, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the biblical standard of giving.
For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ . . . (Colossians 2:12).
We practice baptism by immersion under water—the way Jesus was baptized, and the way the Bible commands.
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us. So, we seek to practice a daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is right (Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 5:18).
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15).
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those whom God has brought us into contact. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to church.
Jesus said, “I am the Vine, you are the branches. If you abide in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Our Affiliation information
MPChurch (Message of Peace Christian Center) is associated with:
- Assemblies of God, Northern California & Nevada District Council, Inc.
- Northern District Baptist Association Inc. NDBA