Our Beliefs

Our Statement of Faith is a concise summary of the essential beliefs of our church, based on our understanding of what is taught in God’s Word. Anyone pursuing membership at Portico Church must agree with this Statement of Faith.

    • The Scriptures are true, authoritative, and sufficient. (2 Timothy 3:16;2 Peter 1:20-21)

    • There is only one true God, Creator of heaven and earth, who eternally exists in three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-6, John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6;1 Timothy 2:5; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:13-17, 28:17-20)

    • All things exist for the glory of God. (Proverbs 16:4; Isaiah 61:3; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Ephesians 1:3-14)

    • After the fall of Adam, all humanity—Christ excluded— is sinful both in birth and by choice. (Genesis 6:5; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23, 5:8, 5:12-21, 7:18; Ephesians 2:1-3)

    • The just penalty for sin is physical and spiritual death. (Genesis 2:15-17, 3:19; Romans 5:12, 6:23; James 1:14-15)

    • Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, was born of a virgin, and is both fully God and fully human. (Matthew 1:20; John 1:1-4, John 1:14; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-3)

    • Jesus Christ died as the sacrificial substitute to pay the penalty for sin. (John 1:29; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21;Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 3:18)

    • Jesus Christ physically rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will one day physically return to remove all trace of evil and fully re-create the world. (Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-53; 1 Corinthians 15:12- 34;Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 1:7)

    • There will be a future physical resurrection of the dead. Only those who turn from sin and to Jesus in faith and repentance will be raised to eternal reward. Those who do not turn from sin and to Jesus will be raised to eternal punishment. (Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15)

    • Only through faith in the Person and work of Jesus Christ, with repentance from sin can one be reconciled to God and experience true life and joy. (John 3:18; Acts 4:12;) Romans 3:21-26; 1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Our Member Covenant is a set of commitments we make to each other as members of Portico Church. We require new members to affirm this covenant.

  • As those who have experienced the grace of a life changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, we agree:

    • To submit to the authority of Scripture as the final arbiter on all issues. (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

    • That I have read, understood and agree with the Statement of Belief contained in this document. 

    • To maintain unity and peace in regard to theological beliefs. In the event of a theological disagreement, I commit not to teach contrary to the core doctrines of the church. (Ephesians 4:1-3; Hebrews 13:7, 17) 

    • To pursue the Lord Jesus Christ through regular Bible reading, prayer, fellowship and practice of spiritual disciplines (Luke 18:1; Acts 17:11; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Ephesians 5:1-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22).

    • To follow the command and example of Jesus by participating in the sacraments prescribed to His Church:

      • Baptism.

      • Regularly remembering and celebrating the person and work of Christ through communion.

    • To regularly participate in the life of Portico Church Arlington by attending weekly services, engaging in gospel-community, attending member gatherings and serving those within and outside of this church (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:23-25; Titus 3:14).

    • To steward the resources God has given me, including my time, talents, spiritual gifts, finances, and possessions. (Proverbs 3:9-10; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:1-16, 5:15-18; Gal 5:22-26) This includes regular giving, service, and participation at Portico Church Arlington that is sacrificial, cheerful, active, and voluntary. (Romans 12:1-8; II Corinthians 8 & 9, 12:7-31; I Peter 4:10-11)

    • By God’s grace through the power of the Holy Spirit, to walk in holiness in all areas of life as an act of worship to Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13-16. 1 Peter 4:1-3). Believers should strive to put certain attitudes and actions to death while stirring and stimulating love and good deeds through the Spirit. 

    • To refrain from such activities that the Scriptures would deem foolish (Romans 14:14-23).

    • To take seriously the responsibility of Christian freedom, and to consider actions or situations that could present a stumbling block to another (1 Corinthians 8:1-13).

    • To submit to the elders and other appointed leaders of the church and diligently strive for unity and peace within the church (Ephesians 4:1-3; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:5).

    • To submit to the discipline of God through His Holy Spirit by:

      • Following the biblical procedures for church discipline where sin is evident in another – the hope of such discipline being repentance and restoration.

      • Receiving righteous and loving discipline when approached biblically by fellow believers (Psalm 141:5; Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; Hebrews 12:5-11).

    • To do the following when I sin:

      • Confess my sin to God and to fellow believers.

      • Repent and seek help to put my sin to death (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5; James 5:16; 1 John 1:6-10).

    • To do the following should I leave the church for righteous reasons

      • Notify the elders as well as the appropriate church leaders.

      • Seek another church with which I can carry out my biblical responsibilities as a believer.

Additional Resources & Beliefs

We joyfully stand alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the ages in affirming the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed.

Additionally, The Gospel Coalition’s Confessional Statement (2004) and the Second London Confession of Faith (1689) are helpful explanations of God’s Word that inform the preaching and teaching of our church.

Portico Church’s elders have also developed statements on human life and sexuality, which aim to provide clarity on those topics and can be found here.

If you have additional questions about what we believe or how we live as a church, please contact Pastor Geoff Peck. He’d love to grab a coffee with you and talk!