We believe...
The Bible: The Bible is God’s Word, written down by persons who were moved to write what they wrote by God’s Spirit. All the words of Scripture are inspired by God, without error in all that they teach, and are the final authority on all things (2 Tim. 3:16-17 and 2 Pet. 1:21).
God: God is Spirit, personal and unlimited. God is one and exists in three persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All three are equal in authority, power and the qualities of divinity. God created the universe for His own glory, and He remains active in all that happens, assuring that all of creation moves towards His desired ends (Gen. 1:1; Duet. 6:4; Psalm 90:2; Psalm 139:1-8; Mal. 3:6; Matt. 28:19; Mark 12:29; John 1:1-4; Rom. 1:19-20; 1 Cor. 1:25; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; Col. 1:16-17; 1 Tim. 1:17; Heb. 1:1-3; Heb. 13:8; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; 1 John 4:8 and Rev. 4:1-6).
The Father: We believe God the Father is sovereign over all things. As Creator He is Father to all men, but He is spiritual Father only to believers. He saves from sin all those who come to Him, and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own John 3:16; Acts 17:29; Rom. 8:14-15; 2 Cor. 6:18; Gal. 3:26; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 1:3-11; Eph. 4:6; Heb. 12:5-9; James 1:13 and 1 Pet. 1:17) |
Jesus Christ: We believe Jesus Christ became a man through the miracle of the virgin birth. He is both fully God and man, yet perfect and without sin. By His perfect obedience in this life, He was able to offer the perfect sacrifice for all sin. Through His death on the cross, He delivers from the punishment and power of sin those who trust in Him, thus restoring us to a right relationship with God. He rose from the dead, thus confirming that we too will rise from the dead. He ascended into heaven and now serves as mediator between God and ourselves (Matt. 1:23; Luke 24:27; Luke 24:44; John 5:39; Acts 17:2-3; Acts 18:28; Acts 26:22-23; Acts 28:23; 1 Cor. 15:4 and 1 Tim. 2:5-6). |
The Holy Spirit: The third Person of the Trinity enters the life of Christ’s followers when they surrender their lives to Him. The Spirit teaches us to love God, empowers us to follow Jesus and equips us with spiritual gifts to serve others (Luke 11:13; John 7:38-39; John 14:16-17; John 15:26; John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:16-25 and Eph. 5:18). |
The Nature of Humanity: Humans were created in God’s image to enjoy His fellowship and fulfill His will. Because humans fell into sin through disobedience, all are spiritually dead apart from Jesus Christ. This deadening effect spreads to all, as each is born with a sinful nature. All men and women are in need of personal deliverance from God’s eternal judgment for their sinfulness (Gen. 1:26; Gen. 2:17; Gen. 6:5; Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 139:14; Jer. 17:9; John 3:6; John 5:12-19; Rom. 3:23 and Eph. 2:1-3).
Salvation: Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is the only provision by which a person may be delivered from sin and eternal death and be reconciled to God. God invites all people to accept the deliverance that is offered through the death of Jesus Christ. He implants new life in people so they repent: turning from sin and toward Him, trusting in Him alone for their forgiveness. Salvation is a free gift of God that comes through grace. His Word assures us He will continue that work and will not abandon His commitment to save us (John 3:16; John 5:24; John 10:27-29; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Acts 13:38-39; Acts 16:31; Rom. 3:19-28; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Gal. 2:16; Eph 2:1-10; Heb. 10:1-14 and 1 John 5:11-13).
The Church: All who are united through the Holy Spirit by faith in Jesus are a part of the Body of Christ. The church is part of God’s design to equip believers while together glorifying God through worship, service, teaching and evangelism (Matt. 16:16-18; Acts 2:32-47; Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 1:20-23; Eph. 4:3-10 and Col. 3:14-15).
The Future: Jesus Christ will return to dwell with man and will restore all things. All unbelievers and fallen angels will be judged and condemned to hell forever. All believers will be judged and enter into the presence of God in the eternal kingdom of the new heaven and the new earth (Luke 12:35-40; Luke 17:26-30; Luke 18:8; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; 2 Thess 2:3-8; 2 Tim. 3:1-5 and Rev. 20:10-21:5)
Baptism: Christian baptism by immersion is symbolic of being brought from death in sin to life in Christ. Baptism is a believer’s testimony, commanded by Christ and affirming connection to the Body of Christ and to personal faith in the crucified, buried, resurrected, and ascended Christ (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38-41; Acts 8:36-39; Rom. 6:1-11 and Col. 2:11-12).
Communion: Holy Communion proclaims the continual remembrance of Christ’s death until He comes and should be preceded by worshipful self-examination for sin. We believe the elements of communion are symbolic of the flesh and blood of Christ (1 Cor. 11:17-34).