WHAT WE BELIEVE

Statement of Faith

In essentials—unity. Ephesians 4:4-6

In non-essentials—liberty. Romans 14:1, 4, 12-13

In all things—charity. Galatians 5:13-14

God

God is the creator and ruler of the universe.  He exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  These are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1, 26; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; Deuteronomy 6:4)

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  He is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father.  He lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying in our place on the cross.  He physically rose from the dead after three days in victory over sin and death.  He ascended into Heaven, where He is our intercessor and advocate with the Father.  He will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and will judge the living and the dead. (Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-4, 14; Romans 3:24-25; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 4;13-18; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:1-6)

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son.  He is present in the world to convict of sin, righteousness, and judgment to come.  He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation.  He provides each Christian with power for living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing right.  He seals believers to guarantee their inheritance in heaven.  Christians are to live under His control daily. (John 16:7-13, 14:16-17 & 26; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; Ephesians 1:13-14; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18)

The Bible

The Holy Scripture is God's Word to us; and the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.  Men wrote it, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, making it God-breathed, and without any mixture of error. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 16:12-13; 2 Peter 1:20; Psalm 119:160)

Man

Man was created in the image of God and lived in innocence until he fell by voluntary transgression from his sinless state.  The result is that all mankind are sinners, separated from God and worthy of His judgment. (Genesis 1:26-27, 3:5; Romans 3:23, 5:12 & 19, 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:22)

Salvation

Salvation is the free gift of God, given to us by grace, and received only by personal faith in Jesus Christ because His precious blood was shed on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. (Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Titus 3:5)

Eternal Security

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity.  The grace and power of God, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit maintain salvation, not the self-efforts of the Christian. (John 10:28-29; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 Peter 1:3-5 & 23; Romans 8: 35-39; Ephesians 1:13-14)

Eternity

People were created to exist forever.  Following the judgment of God, we will either exist forever in hell separated from God by our sin, or we will be forever in heaven with God through forgiveness and salvation.  Heaven and hell are real places of everlasting existence. (John 3:16, 5:28-29, 11:25-26; Romans 6:23; Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:10-15, 21:1-7)

The Church

The church is the Body of Jesus Christ on earth.  It is a spiritual organism made up of all redeemed persons, in covenant relationship, carrying out His Great Commission.  It was established by Jesus Christ during His ministry on earth. (Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Matthew 28:19-10; Acts 14:27, 20:28-32; 1 Timothy 3:1-13)

Evangelism

It is the obligation of every Christian to witness by life and by word to the truths of the Holy Scriptures and to seek to proclaim the Gospel to all people. (Luke 24:47-48; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:19-20; 1 Peter 3:15)

The Lord's Supper/Communion

The Lords' Supper was ordained by Jesus Christ as a remembrance of His sacrifice on the cross for the sins of mankind.  We celebrate Communion every week to draw closer in fellowship with our Lord and each other.  It is open to every true believer; and we will continue to celebrate it until Christ returns. (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:15-20; Acts 2:42-26; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)

Baptism

We practice believer’s baptism by immersion as an act of obedience to God and identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.  We accept members by transfer who have received other forms of baptism and who claim Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:36-38; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 4:5)