At Dayspring, we organize our beliefs into categories of differing weight. We consider our Convictions to be the core of Christianity. We hold our Persuasions as areas where we operate, though recognize that many Christians draw different biblical interpretations. Opinions are topics open for discussion but not something that we would even argue about.

Convictions

Beliefs we consider essential to Christianity. These are areas we believe God is calling Christians to be of one mind.

Authority of Scripture

• The Bible is the Word of God, fully true, given to us that we may know the heart of God the Father and the love He has for humanity. It is the ultimate authority over our lives and faith, in both practice and lifestyle. 

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12

God

• There is One true God who exists eternally in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, who are of one substance and equal in power and glory. 

• Genesis 1:1, John 1:1-3, Genesis 1:26, Matthew 28:19, Romans 1:20

Deity of Christ

• Jesus is the eternal son of God, born of the virgin Mary. He is fully God and fully man. He lived a sinless life on earth, died and was resurrected in bodily form. He lives and reigns forever and is worthy of all our praise.

• Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-38, Romans 9:5

Substitutionary Atonement

• All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We deserve eternal separation from God, but Jesus was sent as a sign of God’s unfailing love. He died on the cross as our substitute, taking upon himself the penalty for our sins.

• Isaiah 53, Romans 3:23-26, 1 Corinthians 15:3, Titus 2:11-14, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 2:2

Resurrection of Christ

• On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead in the same body which was laid in the tomb. Jesus’ resurrection defeated sin and death. 

• Matthew 28:1-10, John 20, 1 Corinthians 15:4-9, Luke 24:1-49

Salvation by Grace through Faith

• God’s gift of salvation is too wonderful to be earned and is only given as a gift by grace through faith. A person experiences the free gift of new life when they place their faith in Jesus Christ.

• John 3:3, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9

Second Coming of Christ

• Jesus will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. Those who have received the gift of salvation will spend eternity with Christ. Those who have rejected the gift of salvation will experience eternal separation from God.

• Acts 1:6-11, Matthew 24:36, Matthew 25:31-46, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, 2 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 21:1-5

Persuasions

Beliefs about which we are persuaded, though we recognize many Christians draw different biblical conclusions and understandings. In practice, Dayspring holds to these persuasions. 

Predestination & Free Will

• God has predetermined that the Church will be saved (corporate election), and a person becomes part of the Church through responding to God’s gracious pursuit, prevenient grace and choosing to place their faith in Jesus Christ. In his mercy, God pursues this redemptive relationship with all people.

• John 3:16, Romans 1:20, 2 Peter 3:9

Assurance of Salvation

• God makes it plain through scripture that his desire is for Christian believers to rejoice in their salvation that is held secure in Jesus Christ. This assurance is not based upon any human merit, but is a gift through the Holy Spirit who confirms upon believers the steadfast promises of God’s salvation.

• Romans 8:15-16, 1 John 2:3-6, 1 John 3:23-24, 1 John 5:11-12

Full Sanctification

• God desires to bring Christian believers entirely into alignment with His will for their lives. From the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit works in Christians to cultivate fruit and evidence of salvation for the witness to God’s great work and the transformation of the world. 

• 1 John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 3:16-18, Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 5:48

Baptism

• We believe water baptism is a sacrament, initiated by Christ and to be observed in the Church today. It is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual grace that is to be experienced once. Dayspring affirms any prior baptism in a Christian church. For those joining Dayspring through baptism, we affirm the biblical and historical practices of both believer’s baptism and infant baptism. To those who placed their faith in Christ, Dayspring offers baptism by immersion, pouring or sprinkling. Dayspring offers either infant dedication or infant baptism, leaving that decision to parents. 

Communion

• We believe the Lord’s Supper is a sacrament where the Church is invited to experience God’s grace in a tangible way. The invitation to receive communion is given by Christ to all. Therefore, if anyone is interested in responding to Christ’s call to the Table, they are qualified for communion. We believe that, though the bread and juice do not literally turn into the body and blood of Jesus, the presence of Christ is intentionally moving through the communion elements.

Women in Ministry

• God actively calls and equips men and women for pastoral ministry and the witness to Christ’s work in the world through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We maintain that this view is consistent with scripture and the first practices of the church.

• John 20:17, John 4:1-42, Romans 16:1-4

Sexuality

• We believe that human sexuality is a gift of God that is to be affirmed as it is exercised within the legal and spiritual covenant of a loving and monogamous marriage between one man and one woman.

• Exodus 20:14, Matthew 19:3-9, Ephesians 5:22-33

Spiritual Warfare

• Satan and demons exist. They were defeated through the cross, and will be destroyed in the second coming of Christ. Believers have authority in Jesus’ name over all evil, sin and temptation. 

Church Government

• There are several different church government structures that faithfully fulfill scripture’s parameters for order of the Church. Dayspring is affiliated with the Global Methodist Church and adheres to its central doctrine and governance. More information can be found here: etxgmc.org  

Church Membership

• Dayspring exists to feed our love-starved culture by empowering Christ-filled lives. All people who proclaim Christ as God’s Son and their savior are qualified for membership and invited into the family of Dayspring. We ask that members share our convictions, recognize the ways we are persuaded to faithfully operate as Dayspring and acknowledge that we are intentionally a church with multiple opinions on a variety of topics in order to better reflect diversity in the Kingdom of God.

Opinions

Topics about which we welcome opinions about, but would not even argue for, such as:

• What Bible translation is best for study, devotions and sermons

• Decisions on worship style, dress or instruments involved in worship

• The varying types of small groups and discipleship opportunities through Dayspring