Beliefs, History, Denomination

Beliefs

God: Father, Son, & Holy Spirit
We believe in God, that He is three persons but one God and both hidden and revealed. It is His holiness that provides for humanity’s deliverance from the penalty and power of sin. His Work is primarily creation, grace, justice and mercy. God wants us to know Him and has revealed Himself to us in various ways.

We believe in Jesus Christ and in His pre-existence. He became incarnate and was truly human and wholly God. The characteristics of Jesus’ divinity are the very characteristics of God. He is Savior and Lord. He died and was resurrected and ascended into heaven. This same Jesus will come to receive us that we may be with Him forever.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, that He is God and came into the world in a new way at Pentecost. He can be known and experienced. He endows the followers of Christ with the “unity of the Spirit” . His function in the Church, through the work of sanctification, is producing spiritual fruit and dispensing spiritual gifts.

Bible: God’s inspired, perfect Word
We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible authority, the Word of God, our only rule of faith and practice. God uses the words of men to convey His truth. The central message of the Scriptures is the good news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Proper interpretation of the Bible comes from the Holy Spirit.

Humanity: sinful and fallen
We believe in humanity’s importance to God and in our created nature. Humanity has a sinful nature. We also have the potential of a new nature in Christ. We are created as free moral agents and are accountable to God for choices made. We are free to make the decision to accept Christ for which the Holy Spirit provides power for living a victorious Christian life.

We believe humanity’s salvation is in our regeneration and new birth, when we respond to God’s offer. Humanity is justified by faith in Christ, not by works of the law, or by works of our own righteousness. Justification includes remission and restoration, bestowed righteousness of God, and new standing before God. Sanctification is both instantaneous and progressive. The believer’s life and character are transformed by consecration to God. It is the privilege and duty of believers to live holy lives.

History

In August 1978, East Pennsylvania Churches of God Missions and Church Development endorsed a new group Bible Study east of Lancaster with the purpose of planting a new church. The group started meeting on October 2, 1978, with members from New Providence, Smithville, and Lancaster Churches of God. The following year, High View Church of God was announced with J. Thomas Lefever appointed as the pastor. The first service at High View was held on September 23, 1979 at the Historic Strasburg Inn. In June 1980, land was purchased along Route 896 and a new church building was built. The first service in the new building was held on May 29, 1983. By 1995, worship service attendance had grown and it was decided to add a new fellowship area. In 1996, a group of 30 people from the congregation formed a church plant, Living Faith Church of God. In 2008, a second addition was added increasing the number of classrooms, an expanded youth area, additional open area and additional restrooms. A playground area was also part of the expansion.

Our Denomination: Eastern Region Churches of God

We are pleased to be a part of the Eastern Region of the Church of God General Conference. If you would like to learn more about our denomination please visit their website through the link below.

Eastern Region Churches of God