The Bible

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. The sixty-six books that constitute the Bible are without error in their original writings and are the complete revelation of God’s will for the salvation of mankind. Being entirely reliable and truthful, the Bible stands as the central authority over our lives, our faith, and the direction of our church. (2 Timothy 3:16; Matthew 5:18)

 

God

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Three persons eternally share the Divine Nature. God is both self-existent and personal. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:29; John 14:10, 26; John 15:26)

 

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ, the Son, is fully God and fully human. He was born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, died for the sins of humanity, was resurrected bodily on the third day, ascended into heaven and is coming again as King and Judge. Jesus Christ is the only provision that God has given for people to be reconciled to Him. Jesus’ life on earth also serves as the model for the Christian life. (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; I Corinthians 15:1-8; Isaiah 7:14; Romans 8:34; Acts 1:10)

 

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is God. He came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. He indwells us at the moment we place our faith in Christ and enables us to live a life that is pleasing to God. The Holy Spirit also endows each believer with a unique spiritual ability to serve the church and the world. (John 14:16, 15: 26-27, 16:9-14; Romans 8: 9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12; Galatians 5: 22-26; Ephesians 1:13-14)

 

Salvation

Salvation is reconciliation with God through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. God offers us salvation by His grace alone and we receive it as a gift through personal faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. This right standing before God must be received and cannot be earned. God freely offers salvation to all people, and our salvation is secure when personally appropriated through repentance and faith in Christ. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior should be obedient to Him by repentance, confession, baptism and lifetime faithfulness to Him. (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 8:38,39; Ephesians 1:13; 2:4-5; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9-10; Romans 6:1-4; Revelation 2:10)

 

Human Condition

We believe that every person has worth as a creation of God, but that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. According to Genesis, human beings are created in the image of God. As such, we are unique among all of God’s creation. Through Adam’s sin and the abuse of our God-given free will, we have turned against God and this has resulted in spiritual death for all humankind. Humanity lives in a state of alienation and profound need that can only be satisfied by reconciliation with God through Christ. Without this reconciliation, all people stand under God’s righteous judgment. Humanity, although fallen, maintains the image of God and is, therefore, still dignified and unique. God continues to love us and reach out to us, even though we are hostile to Him. Believers in Jesus Christ receive a new nature that becomes the foundation for a process of transformation. (John 3:16; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

 

Marriage & Sexuality

We believe that the Bible defines “marriage” as one man, one woman for life (Mark 10:6-9). We further believe that intimate sexual activity is a sacred gift of God and intended to be celebrated only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4).

 

The Church

The church is the community of believers throughout history who place saving faith in Jesus Christ. God wants all Christians to live out their spiritual lives in a corporate context. This context of Christian love relationships is a crucial feature of our witness for Christ as it reflects God’s character to the world. The church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and God’s chosen instrument through which the message of salvation is spread to all peoples. This mission is the central purpose for the church. We are to carry the good news locally and worldwide and demonstrate God’s love by relevant social action. (John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Matthew 28:19)

 

Ordinances

We believe water baptism and communion are ordinances to be observed by the church during the present age, but they are not to be regarded as a means of salvation. We baptize by immersion as was practiced in the Bible. (1 Corinthians 11; The Book of Acts)

 

The Second Coming

This age will conclude with the personal, bodily return of Christ. At that time, He will complete God’s plan to reestablish His just and righteous rule over all humanity. He will reign forever as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 20)

 

The Afterlife

At physical death the believer enters immediately into eternal, conscious fellowship with the Lord and awaits the resurrection of his body to everlasting glory and blessing. Those who have responded to Jesus Christ with saving faith will receive the eternal life in Heaven they have already been promised, while others will live under eternal judgment in Hell. Therefore, because eternal issues are at stake, there is a critical need to communicate the gospel. (Matthew 25:46; John 5:24; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)