Our Beliefs
Learn more about the scriptural frameworks that drive our teaching
The doctrinal statement of Ascent listed below is not meant to be an exhaustive list of theological topics but is designed to define a theological framework based in Scripture to which any student, faculty, or staff would be willing to agree regarding the fundamentals of the Christian faith. Students are not required to sign a doctrinal statement and may disagree with specific tenets of the statement. However, the statement represents the foundational position from which classes will be taught. Ascent encourages discussion and engaging differences of interpretation. However, we always desire doctrinal discussions to be centered around the text of Scripture. We believe that statements of truth and lives that are likewise “of the truth” will always be grounded in careful and wise understanding of the text.
We believe that the Bible (Old and New Testaments) is the inspired Word of God. It was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and is therefore inerrant in its original manuscripts. The Bible is our supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and life (Ps. 19:7-11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21).
We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Trinity). The Father is God (Matt. 6:26, 30). Jesus Christ is God (Jn. 1:1; Jn. 20:28, Col. 2:9). The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4). Each person of the Trinity shares in the same divine nature and attributes (1 Cor. 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 13:14). As loving creator of the universe, God continues to personally sustain, rule, and care for all He has made (Gen. 1:1; Heb. 1:3; 2 Chr. 20:6; Matt. 7:11).
We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit (John 4:24). He is perfect in holiness (Is. 6:1-4), wisdom and justice (Gen. 18:25), power (Mat 19:26), and love (1 John 4:8). We believe that He cares about His created world, hears and answers prayer (Mat 21:22), and saves from sin and eternal death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
We believe that Jesus Christ is God’s eternal Son. He is fully God and fully man; conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Lk. 1:31-35). We believe that He lived a sinless life (Heb 4:15); that He paid for our sins by dying on the cross as our substitute (Rom. 5:8); that He bodily rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:3-4, 17-20) and ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). Further, we believe that He will personally, visibly return to earth as He has promised (Matt. 25:31-33; Acts 1:11).
We believe that the Holy Spirit is also fully God. He convicts people of their sin (Jn. 16:8-11) and dwells within those who have come to salvation through Christ (Jn. 4:13; 1 Cor 3:16). Through the Holy Spirit, Christians receive power for witness (Acts 1:8), instruction (Jn. 16:13), and Spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:4-7). All Christians are compelled to walk by the Spirit, giving evidence of an increasingly Christlike character (Gal. 5:22-26). His very presence in our lives gives us assurance that we will inherit eternal life (Eph. 1:13-14).
We believe that God created humanity — male and female — in the image of God and free from sin (Gen. 1:27); therefore, all persons have essential dignity and worth. But the Bible also teaches that humanity fell into sin (Gen. 3:1-19); each aspect of our character is, therefore, corrupted; each person is spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1), and each of us is in need of salvation (Rom. 3:23; Rom. 5:12-21).
We believe that the only way of salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift from God (Rom. 6:23). It cannot be earned through any human merit, works, or ritual (Eph. 2:8-9). Those who are saved acknowledge Christ as Lord (Rom. 10:9-1 2), serve God in this lifetime (Eph. 2:10), and have the promise of heaven for the future (Jn. 14:1-6).
We believe in the “universal church,” a spiritual body consisting of all true Christians with Christ as head (Col. 1:18). We also believe in the “local church,” which is a visible assembly of believers (Heb. 10:24-25). Members of a local church organize themselves for the purposes of evangelism (Matt. 28:18), worship (Jn. 4:23), edifying one another (Eph. 4:16), and caring for others (Jam. 1:27; Acts 2:42, 46). The two ordinances of the church are the baptism of believers (Matt. 28:19) and the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-26).
We believe that at the time of Christ’s return, dead Christians will bodily rise from the dead, then those who are alive will be caught up to be with Him (1 Thess. 4:13-18). After 7 years of tribulation, Christ will return to establish His reign upon the earth for 1,000 years (Rev. 20:1-6). The eternal state will be in a new heaven and a new earth with the Triune God (Rev. 21). We also believe in the resurrection and judgment of the unsaved (Rev. 20:11-15). All people will experience eternal conscious existence either in heaven or in hell (Jn. 5:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:51-58; 2 Cor. 5:6-10; Matt. 13:41-43; Matt. 25:46).
We believe that the Bible (Old and New Testaments) is the inspired Word of God. It was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and is therefore inerrant in its original manuscripts. The Bible is our supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and life (Ps. 19:7-11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21).
We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Trinity). The Father is God (Matt. 6:26, 30). Jesus Christ is God (Jn. 1:1; Jn. 20:28, Col. 2:9). The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4). Each person of the Trinity shares in the same divine nature and attributes (1 Cor. 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 13:14). As loving creator of the universe, God continues to personally sustain, rule, and care for all He has made (Gen. 1:1; Heb. 1:3; 2 Chr. 20:6; Matt. 7:11).
We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit (John 4:24). He is perfect in holiness (Is. 6:1-4), wisdom and justice (Gen. 18:25), power (Mat 19:26), and love (1 John 4:8). We believe that He cares about His created world, hears and answers prayer (Mat 21:22), and saves from sin and eternal death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
We believe that Jesus Christ is God’s eternal Son. He is fully God and fully man; conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Lk. 1:31-35). We believe that He lived a sinless life (Heb 4:15); that He paid for our sins by dying on the cross as our substitute (Rom. 5:8); that He bodily rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:3-4, 17-20) and ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). Further, we believe that He will personally, visibly return to earth as He has promised (Matt. 25:31-33; Acts 1:11).
We believe that the Holy Spirit is also fully God. He convicts people of their sin (Jn. 16:8-11) and dwells within those who have come to salvation through Christ (Jn. 4:13; 1 Cor 3:16). Through the Holy Spirit, Christians receive power for witness (Acts 1:8), instruction (Jn. 16:13), and Spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:4-7). All Christians are compelled to walk by the Spirit, giving evidence of an increasingly Christlike character (Gal. 5:22-26). His very presence in our lives gives us assurance that we will inherit eternal life (Eph. 1:13-14).
We believe that God created humanity — male and female — in the image of God and free from sin (Gen. 1:27); therefore, all persons have essential dignity and worth. But the Bible also teaches that humanity fell into sin (Gen. 3:1-19); each aspect of our character is, therefore, corrupted; each person is spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1), and each of us is in need of salvation (Rom. 3:23; Rom. 5:12-21).
We believe that the only way of salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift from God (Rom. 6:23). It cannot be earned through any human merit, works, or ritual (Eph. 2:8-9). Those who are saved acknowledge Christ as Lord (Rom. 10:9-1 2), serve God in this lifetime (Eph. 2:10), and have the promise of heaven for the future (Jn. 14:1-6).
We believe in the “universal church,” a spiritual body consisting of all true Christians with Christ as head (Col. 1:18). We also believe in the “local church,” which is a visible assembly of believers (Heb. 10:24-25). Members of a local church organize themselves for the purposes of evangelism (Matt. 28:18), worship (Jn. 4:23), edifying one another (Eph. 4:16), and caring for others (Jam. 1:27; Acts 2:42, 46). The two ordinances of the church are the baptism of believers (Matt. 28:19) and the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-26).
We believe that at the time of Christ’s return, dead Christians will bodily rise from the dead, then those who are alive will be caught up to be with Him (1 Thess. 4:13-18). After 7 years of tribulation, Christ will return to establish His reign upon the earth for 1,000 years (Rev. 20:1-6). The eternal state will be in a new heaven and a new earth with the Triune God (Rev. 21). We also believe in the resurrection and judgment of the unsaved (Rev. 20:11-15). All people will experience eternal conscious existence either in heaven or in hell (Jn. 5:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:51-58; 2 Cor. 5:6-10; Matt. 13:41-43; Matt. 25:46).
Faculty
Meet the experienced leaders who bring real-world ministry wisdom and scholarly rigor to every cohort session
Programs
Master of Arts programs designed to deepen your biblical foundation without pausing your ministry.
Course Format
Meet the experienced leaders who bring real-world ministry wisdom and scholarly rigor to every cohort session
Tuition
Debt-free, affordable training designed for leaders in the local church
