What We Believe

GOD
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He has revealed Himself to be perfect in love, righteous in all His ways, and Creator of all things. (1 Timothy 1:17; Matthew 28:19; Deuteronomy 4:35, 39; John 4:24; Genesis 1:1).

The Father – We believe that He is the Father over all creation (Acts 17:29), of the nation of Israel (Exodus 4:22), of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:17), and of believers in Christ (Galatians 3:26).

The Son – We believe Jesus Christ is God’s eternal Son and our Lord and Savior. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miraculous works, atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, and intercessory ministry. (Luke 1:34,35; John 1:1-14; 1 Peter 2:21-25; Titus 2:13,14; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:7, 16,17) He is both all God and all man (God – John 1:1, Romans 9:5; Man – Romans 1:3,4; both God and man – John 1:1-14, Romans 9:5) He is the Savior of all those who place their trust in Him to forgive their sins (John 3:16).

The Holy Spirit – We believe in the Person and Deity of the Holy Spirit. He is the Person of the Trinity Who reveals to men their need of Christ as well as reveals Christ Himself to men (John 16:7-15) by convicting individuals of their sinfulness, and drawing them to Christ. He baptizes believers into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:11) He fills (Ephesians 5:18), indwells (1 Corinthians 6:19), leads (Romans 8:14), assures (Romans 8:16), and prays for believers (Romans 8:26).

THE WORD OF GOD


We believe that the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; John 10:36). The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to humanity. The Bible is living and active, trustworthy, and sufficient, the supreme guide and authority in faith and life. We believe that the Bible is true not only as it speaks of salvation, but also as it speaks of history, science, and philosophy.

MAN


We believe that man in his original state in the Garden of Eden was sinless (Romans 5:12). Tempted by Satan, Adam and Eve disobeyed God and fell from that original state, thus becoming sinful by nature and choice. This disobedience brought sin and death to the human race and suffering to all creation. Everyone is born with a sinful nature and needs God’s gift of salvation. (Genesis 1:26-30; Isaiah 43:7; Romans 3:23; 5:8-12; 1 Peter 1:18,19).

SALVATION


We believe that salvation is the gift of eternal life from God, received through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is granted to people by God apart from works and upon the basis of faith alone (Ephesians 2:8,9). Biblical faith involves repentance, having a change of mind toward sin and the Savior (Luke 24:47; 13:3; Acts 26:20). The natural response of the person who has been truly saved is public confession of Christ (John 4:29). In Christ we are forgiven of our sins, reconciled to God, without condemnation, reborn by the Holy Spirit into the family of God, and made a new creation in Christ. (2 Timothy 1:9,10; Ephesians 2:8,9; Acts 2:21, 38; Galatians 2:20; Romans 5:1-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 1:12; Romans 6:23; 8:1). To reject Christ’s salvation is to, upon physical death, embrace hell and eternal separation from God. (Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 20:11-15). Salvation is both initiated by God’s calling and received by man’s choice.

THE CHURCH


We believe the Church is the living body, of which Christ is the Head, and all who believe in Him are members. The Church exists to glorify God, cultivate personal growth in Christ, care for one another in Christ, and communicate Christ to the world. (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 2:19-22; 4:11-16; Romans 12:5,10; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 27; John 4:23,24; Psalm 100).

ORDINANCES


We believe that the baptism of believers by immersion beautifully symbolizes the work of Christ in an individual’s life. Remembering the sacrifice of Jesus Christ by sharing in the Lord’s Supper demonstrates a believer’s continuing commitment to Christ. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are to be observed until Christ’s return. Neither of these ordinances is a means of obtaining salvation. (Matthew 23:19; Acts 2:38,41; Romans 6:1-11; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29).

LAST THINGS


We believe in the personal and visible return of Jesus Christ to the earth and the establishment of His kingdom. While not all issues concerning the doctrine of future happenings are crystal clear, what we do know beyond question is that both the dead and living believers will be changed into glorified bodies to live in a state of eternal bliss in the presence of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), and that after the world has been scourged by a just God (Revelation 4-19), Satan and the unbelievers will be cast into a place called the “Lake of Fire” to remain eternally (Revelation 20:11-15).