What We Believe
At Harvest we…
Seek community that is inclusive of ALL people, including but not limited to: Conventional Christians and questioning skeptics, believers and agnostics, women and men, those of all sexual orientations and gender identities, those of all classes and abilities.
Know that the way we behave towards one another is the fullest expression of what we believe.
Find grace in the search for understanding and believe there is more value in questioning than in absolutes.
Strive for peace and justice among all people.
Strive to protect and restore the integrity of our Earth. God’s creation matters to us and it’s beauty and natural resources are important to us as a congregation.
Commit to a path of lifelong learning, compassion, and selfless love.
We welcome all races and ethnicities and realize that there is so much to be done to heal the systematic and historical abuses perpetuated against the BIPOC community.
We are not a political church. We don’t support one party or the other. We don’t believe either party is the Christian party. We believe most issues are nuanced and require much thought and careful consideration that most religious environments don’t make space for.
Your Questions Answered On Baptism
Does baptism save me?
No, you are saved by faith in the finished work of the cross. However, since Jesus commanded us (Matt. 28:19) to be baptized we should do everything in our power to be obedient. Martin Luther, the great reformationist, said this: “It is not the lack of baptism that condemns one to hell, but rather the refusal and hatred of baptism.”
What if I'm not ready to get baptized?
That depends on how you define “ready”. If you define “ready” as being perfect and having overcome sin, then you’ll never be ready! If you’ve begun a relationship with Jesus Christ, then you’re ready! Jesus commanded us to be baptized (Matt. 28:19). It was a commandment and not a suggestion. Also, Peter commanded it (Acts 2:38, 10:48). Throughout the book of Acts (which shows us how the first century church functioned), we see that believers were baptized immediately after salvation. There was no waiting around! If you are mature enough to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, then you are mature enough to be baptized!
What about infant baptism?
Infant baptism is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible. It is a doctrine that was introduced hundreds of years after the first century church. Since the prerequisites for baptism are 1) believing (Mark 16:16) and 2) repentance (Acts 2:38), then obviously that disqualifies a baby since a baby cannot repent or believe. However, mature children as young as 5 years old that are making the decision for themselves may be baptized.
Is baptism done by immersion or sprinkling?
The very word “baptize” means “to immerse,” or “to submerge.” (It comes from an ancient Greek recipe for pickling pickles. We love that because that means that you’re going to go in a cucumber and come out a dill! A transformation will take place!) Therefore, sprinkling is not scriptural. Jesus was immersed in the river Jordan (Matt. 3:16) and the Ethiopian Eunuch was immersed by Philip (Acts 8:38-39).
What happens when I get baptized?
Baptism IDENTIFIES us with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5). The benefits of the cross and the resurrection become more real to you! There is powerful deliverance that takes place during baptism. After you get baptized, EXPECT a closer walk with the Lord. EXPECT greater freedom from sin, bondage and other things that have plagued you. The reality of Romans chapter six will become clearer to you.
Can I be baptized at the Harvest?
If you’re interested in getting baptized at the Harvest, fill out this form.
What is baptism in the Holy Spirit?
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience that is completely different and separate from salvation and water baptism. It is an empowering experience (Acts 1:8) that is available to all believers. It will transform your life by bringing you closer into relationship with the Holy Spirit, empower you to share your faith and to live a victorious Christian life! That is why Jesus commanded his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were filled with power from above (Luke 24:24).
Who is baptism in the Holy Spirit for?
It is for every person who has repented of their sins and received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It is for all born again Christians wanting and willing to receive it (Matt. 3:11). “Your heavenly father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask of Him” (Luke 11:13). The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for now and has always been available for any believer bold enough to trust God and obey Him. When the crowd asked the apostles for advice on what they should do, they were told to “repent”, “be baptized” and “receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Jesus said in His sermon on the mount “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled” (Matt . 5:6).
Have I received baptism in the Holy Spirit?
When the apostle Paul met the twelve believers in Ephesus (Acts 19:2) he asked them a question: “Have you received the Holy Spirit?” Their answer was “No.” Even though they were genuine and sincere believers, with a relationship with Christ, on their way to heaven, they still had not experienced this precious gift. Today, there are still many wonderful Christians who have a relationship with God and have experienced the recreating power of the Holy Spirit in their hearts, yet still lack this precious experience. Paul prayed together with them and “the Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke with tongues and prophesied”. The same thing happened to the 120 people waiting on God’s promise of His Holy Spirit in Jerusalem on the day we now call Pentecost. They also spoke with tongues (Acts 2:1-4). Jesus Himself said that believers would “speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17).
How can I receive the Holy Spirit?
God wants you to be filled with the Holy Spirit even more than you do! That is why the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not difficult. You must simply come to God in faith and ask to be filled. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) Start to praise God with your voice, tongue and lips. He will not force you to speak in tongues… you must cooperate with Him and do the speaking yourself. Step out in faith. Begin to say something in a language that only God could understand speaking mysteries to God (1 Cor. 14:2). Maybe you will only be bold enough to speak a few syllables but as you boldly repeat them God will bless you with more. Like a child, your new language of prayer to God will grow. Don’t be afraid. This language is not for the benefit of other people; it is between you and God. You will probably not even understand what you are saying, but be assured that God says that as you use this prayer language you will be built up and become stronger in faith (Jude 20). Your private worship of God will be blessed. You do not pray in tongues with your mind but with your spirit (1 Cor. 14:14-15) to God who is a spirit (John 4:24).
Our Tips On How To Read The Bible
The Bible is its own best teacher! It’s not arranged like an encyclopedia. You can’t go to chapter 1 and read all about God, then go to chapter 2, to read all about Jesus, etc.
The verses and chapter breaks are placed in scriptures by man, so read by paragraph. These too are man-made, but they conform better to the original language. BEFORE YOU START forget all you’ve ever heard about Jesus, God, and the Bible. Don’t be influenced by what you “want” it to say. Pray first before opening God’s Word. Ask for guidance to be able to accept what is written and apply it to your life. JUST DO IT Begin in the New Testament. It’s too easy to get bogged down in the Old Testament. Don’t try to prove your belief in what you are reading. Human nature will want to take ideas out of context. If it doesn’t make sense, reread it. If it’s still unclear, write it down and come back to it later. Take one scripture at a time and ask God to help you understand what it means for you today. As you do, your hunger for the Word will grow more and more!
To get you started…
Read “Mark.”(It goes chronologically)
Read “Matthew.” (It has detailed events & adds more about Jesus.)
Read “John.” (It contains a lot of the life of Jesus, especially his last two weeks before the crucifixion.)
Read “Luke” then “Acts.” (Both written by Apostle Paul’s traveling companion Luke. Acts is a continuation of Luke. It describes the early church.)
Read “Galatians.” (Explains why we’re not bound by the laws of the Old Testament.)
Then read the rest of the New Testament, starting at Romans and going to Revelation.
Your voyage through God’s Word will be the best journey you take!
You will laugh and you will cry. It has everything that makes a very good book, and lots more. The Bible will teach you the most important things for this life and the one to come. It is what you live by!
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