What We Believe

The sole basis for all our beliefs are outlined in the Bible: which is uniquely God inspired, without error, and the final authority on all matters. As the Bible teaches, there is one God, eternally existing in three persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-each possessing all the attributes of deity.

We believe that God created humans to have fellowship with Him, but they defied God by sinfully going their own way. As a result, we need God’s saving grace to end our alienation from God. Salvation comes only through God’s grace -- not human effort -- and must be received personally by repentance and faith.

We believe that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth and voluntarily paid for our sin by dying on the cross as our substitute. This accomplished salvation for all who receive grace by trusting in Him alone. He rose from the dead and is the only mediator between people and God. He will return to earth to consummate history.

We believe the Holy Spirit draws men and women to Christ and equips believers for personal growth and service to the church. The church’s role is to glorify God and serve those in need. At the end, everyone will experience bodily resurrection and judgment. Only believers will enjoy eternal fellowship with God.

SCRIPTURE

The Bible is the fully inspired Word of God. It has been written by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In the original manuscripts it is without error and is the final authority for all matters of faith and life. It is the only source for Christian doctrine, and is accessible to all - that is, it is self-interpreting, yet must be divided rightly to be effective in teaching and doctrine. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; John 8:31-32; John 20:31; Mark 13:31; Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 2:15)

GODHEAD

There is one true and living God, eternallly existing in three persons - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. They are equal in their essential nature, attributes, and perfection. Each executes a different but harmonious function. (Genesis 1:1, 26; Deuteronomy 6:4; John 1:1, 3; Matthew 28:19; Romans 1:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

FATHER

We believe that God the Father is infinite yet personal, transcendent yet immanent, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. He orders, arranges, and controls all things according to His own sovereign purpose. He infallibly knows all that shall come to pass, He hears and answers prayer, and He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Luke 10:21-22; John 3:16; 6:27; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6)

SON

Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, has always existed and became man without ceasing to be God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. Jesus lived a sinless life and freely offered Himself as an atoning sacrifice for our sins through His death on the cross. After His physical, literal death, He rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now is exalted at the right hand of God. He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. Jesus is the only mediator between God and man, and salvation is found in no other. Anyone who accepts Him as Lord and Savior will worship Him for all eternity. (John 1:1-2, 14; Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:18-25; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:24; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2; 1 Timothy 3:16; John 14:6; Acts 4:12)

SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and Son and convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement. He is the Supernatural agent in regeneration, sanctifying and empowering all who believe in Jesus Christ. He provides those in whom He dwells with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He dwells in all believers from the moment of salvation and is the evidence and seal of that salvation. He uniquely gifts every believer to enable them to fulfill their role in the body of Christ and His mission in the world. (John 16:8-11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Acts 1:8)

SALVATION

Man was created by God in His own image; he sinned and thereby incurred physical, spiritual, and eternal death. This brings separation from God, and as a consequence, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and are sinners by choice and therefore under condemnation. Those who trust in Jesus Christ, repent, and forsake sin are saved. We become new creatures, are delivered from condemnation, and receive eternal life, which is a free gift of God given to man by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. All glory is due to God alone, since salvation is accomplished solely through His will and action. (Genesis 1:26, 5:2-3, 2:17; John 3:14, 5:24, 1:12; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-9; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:23, 8:10)

THE ORDINANCES

Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Christian Baptism is the immersion of the believer in water, which is a public testimony of the believer's new life in Christ, his or her identification with the Lord's death, burial, and resurrection, and therefore becoming part of the body of Christ, the Church. The Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. The elements of communion are symbolic of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, and serve to remind us of the sacrifice He made, and proclaim the hope of salvation that comes from this sacrifice. These two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 22:15-20; Acts 2:41-42, 18:8; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

THE CHURCH

The Church, which is the body and espoused bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made of all born-again persons of this present age. The establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament scriptures. The purpose of the church is to glorify God by building its members up in the faith by advancement and communication of the Gospel to the entire world. (Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25-27; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Acts 14:27, 18:22; Ephesians 2:19-22, 5:19-21; Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:23-25; Ephesians 4:11-13)

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