The Bible

 

We believe the Scripture, all 66 books of the combined Old and New Testaments, is verbally inspired by God.  We believe the Bible is inerrant in the original writings, and that it is the final authority in faith and conduct.  2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21

 

God 

 

We believe there is only one true, living sovereign, holy and eternally existent God.  God is infinitely perfect and He exists in three persons;  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  The triune God is the creator and sustainer of all things, the source of all truth, and is worthy of worship, confidence, and obedience. Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Genesis 1:31

 

The Person and Work of Christ

 

We believe, by the miracle of the virgin birth – that the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God.  We believe that He became man without ceasing to be God, to reveal God and to redeem mankind from sin.  We believe Christ died for the sins of all who would believe as a substitutionary sacrifice.  We believe He arose bodily from the dead.  Finally, we believe He is now exalted at the right hand of God as Head of the Church.  Christ is Lord of the individual believer, fulfilling His ministry as our Great High Priest and Advocate.  John 1:1-3, 14; 3:16-18; Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-9; Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Acts 1:11

  

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

 

We believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.  We believe He convicts the world of sin and regenerates the believing sinner, baptizing him into the Church (which is the Body of Christ).  We believe He indwells, guides, instructs, and empowers believers for godly living and service.  We believe God gives all believers at least one spiritual gift so we can use this gift for the strength and outreach of the Church.  John 14:16-19; 16:7-15;  1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 8:9, 11; Titus 3:5

 

Salvation

 

We believe salvation is God’s free gift.  Salvation is neither merited nor secured in part or in whole by any human virtue, work, ceremony, or effort.  We receive God’s gift only through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  In Christ, all true believers have – as a present possession – eternal life, perfect righteousness, and sonship in God’s family.  Christians also enjoy every spiritual resource needed for life and godliness, and have the divine guarantee that they will never perish.  God has delivered Christians from all condemnation, and we have eternal security in Christ.  Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21

 

Eternal Security

 

We believe that because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in his/her salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security. John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

 

Man

 

We believe God created man in His image.  But man sinned, incurring not only physical death, but also spiritual death (separation from God, which all people inherit from Adam).  We believe man is subject to Satan’s power; and that man, within himself, has no means of recovery or salvation.  Genesis 1:17, 31; Romans 5:12

 

The Church

 

All who are truly saved are a part of God's worldwide, eternal, invisible church, and those who are truly saved are called to be a part of a local church - a family of believers. The Bible calls believers to gather together to devote themselves to one another, to the teachings of Scripture, to worship, to prayer, to generously give to the needs of others, and to celebrating baptism and communion. The church congregation is to respectfully submit, support, and follow its God-ordained leaders. Its leaders are to guard, feed, and lead the flock, especially in the work of evangelism and discipleship. All this is for the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ. Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:9-13; Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 13:17

 

The Christian’s Walk

 

We believe God calls us – with a holy calling – to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  God wants us to live in the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit, so we will not fulfill the lusts of our physical bodies.  We believe the fallen, Adamic nature of the flesh cannot be eradicated in this life.  Therefore, keeping ourselves constantly in subjection to Christ, we must allow God’s Holy Spirit to live through us in a daily “walk” of faith.  Otherwise, the flesh will certainly demonstrate its presence in our lives, to the Lord’s dishonor.  It is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, and to seek and make growing disciples. Matthew 28:18-20;  Acts 1:8

 

Eternal Life

 

We believe the souls of those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation immediately pass into His presence at death.  There they remain until the resurrection of our bodies at Christ’s coming for His Church.  Then, with our souls reunited with our glorified bodies, we will continue to live with Him forever in glory.  We believe God will punish unbelievers with everlasting separation from His presence, His glory, and His power.  John 3:16; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:42-53; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Revelation 20:15

 

Satan

 

We believe Satan is a personal being, a fallen angel, and is active in this age.  However, we also believe that he is the Christian’s defeated enemy.  His destiny is eternal punishment.  Job 1:6-12; Mark 8:33; Revelation 20:10

 

Sin

 

We believe Adam, the first man, sinned by disobedience.  This act resulted in the fall of all mankind.  Therefore, all people have sinned and lost their ability to live for the glory of God.  Mankind’s fall has incurred both physical and spiritual death on all until there is forgiveness and salvation by the grace of God.  Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 3:10-23; 5:12-21; 6:23

 

The Christian Home

 

In addition to these important beliefs, we also believe that God has given the parents the responsibility to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6

 

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

 

Jesus instructed His followers to remember His death and resurrection.  He gave the Church two visible symbols (called “ordinances") as reminders.  These two ordinances are baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  We practice believers’ baptism by immersion and believe it to be a one-time act of obedience and identification with Jesus as Lord.  It serves as an outward sign of conscious confession of repentance and faith.  The Lord’s Supper is an ongoing symbol remembering our Lord’s death, burial, resurrection, and promised return.  Although neither ordinance is a means of salvation, all believers are called to participate in the ordinances as a profession of their faith in Christ as Savior and Lord.  Matthew 28:18-20;  Matthew 26: 26-29;  1 Corinthians 11:23-32