What We Believe
Scripture
We believe that the Bible, composed of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament, is the inspired Word of God and without error in the original writing. The Bible was given by God through chosen people and thus reflects the backgrounds, styles, and vocabulary of human writers. The Bible is the full and final authority on all matters of faith and practice; there are no other writings similarly inspired by God. The Bible’s truth is timeless and speaks to our everyday lives.
God
We believe there is only one God, Creator and Lord of everything, infinitely perfect, all-powerful, all-knowing and eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (The Trinity).
God The Father
We believe that the Father is Creator and Ruler of all. He is compassionate, loving and just toward all people and is faithful to keep His promises. He hears and answers prayer. He calls all people to believe in Him and saves from sin and eternal death each person who comes to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1; Matthew 7:7, 12:50; Ephesians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:4-5; Exodus 34:5-7
God The Son
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He came to earth fully God and fully man through a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He lived a sinless life and voluntarily died on the cross in our place as full payment for the sins of all people. He arose bodily from the dead on the third day to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended into heaven to the right hand of the Father where He is the only One who is able to provide access and reconciliation between God and people. Believers are not in need of an earthly priest because Jesus Christ Himself is our mediator.
He will return personally and visibly to earth and those who have believed in Him will be united with God eternally in Heaven. Those who have not followed Him will be separated from God in Hell due to their sin.
Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 24:1-8; John 1:1-5, 1:14, 3:16, 3:18, 11:25, 14:6-7, 14:9-11, 14:16; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4, 5:8-11, 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:24-25; Titus 2:13-14; Revelation 19:20, 20:15
God The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, Counselor and Helper sent for believers. We believe the Holy Spirit reveals God’s truth to the world and lives within believers to empower them for godly life and service. We believe in the diversity of gifts given by the Spirit for the common good of the church and that they are operating today.
John 14:15-17, 14:25-26, 15:26, 16:5-15; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31
Salvation
We believe every person is disobedient to God’s desires and plans. Any disobedience to God, regardless of how large or small, is characterized as “sin.” Sin literally separates each person from God, which is spiritual death. Spiritual death is not God’s desire. People can be united with God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and Him alone. Jesus died for sinners. Anyone who accepts and trusts in Jesus’ death for their personal sins, and desires to follow Him as King of their life, is forgiven for every sin. Upon this personal decision, God re-establishes a personal relationship with that person and promises eternal life.
Church
We believe that all those, anywhere, who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord make up the one true church. The purpose of a local church is to organize Christians to reach unbelievers with the message of salvation, serve as a corporate body for worship of God, provide fellowship for Christians, develop the gifts and talents of Christians for godly service, and practice baptism (by immersion in water) and the Lord’s Supper. We believe baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Communion) are God’s ordinances to be observed by believers in Jesus Christ, but not to be regarded as means of salvation. We believe that baptism symbolizes our new identity as a Christ-follower: dying to sin and being raised up to live a new life. We believe that the Lord’s Supper symbolizes Christ’s body and blood that was sacrificed for us.
Faith & Practice
We believe that the Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. By adhering to God’s Word and seeking the Spirit’s empowerment, we can best observe His greatest commandments, which are to love Him and others.