The Bible
We believe the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, to be completely and
verbally inspired of God. The Bible, in its original autographs, though penned by
men, is fully God’s inerrant and infallible revelation, miraculously inspired and
preserved for the enlightenment of every generation of humankind. We recognize
that only by the illumination of the Holy Spirit is the Scripture correctly interpreted
and understood.
II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 12:6-7
God
We believe that there is only one God: Creator and sustainer of all things,
ultimate Sovereign over all things, infinitely perfect and holy, who is eternal:
having no beginning or end. God is self-sufficient, self-existent, and eternally
existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We affirm that
all things were created by Him and for Him, and that the ultimate purpose of all
things is to please Him and glorify Him. He is the fountainhead of all truth and
righteousness, and is full of mercy and love.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Exodus 3:14; Colossians 1:15-16; Revelation 4:11
The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
We believe that the Son of God is the second Person of the Trinity, eternally
existing with The Father and the Holy Spirit. The Son of God is revealed in
Scripture to be co-equal with the Father, yet willingly submits, honors, and gives
glory to the Father. We believe that by the miracle of the virgin-birth that the
Eternal Son of God became man without ceasing to be God, in order to reveal
God and redeem man. We affirm that Jesus Christ lived a perfect, sinless life and
willingly died for our sins (the sins of all mankind) on the cross as a
substitutionary sacrifice and that He rose bodily from the dead, on the third day for
our justification. He is now exalted at the right hand of the Father, and is Head of
the Church and Lord of the believer continuing to fulfill His ministry as our Great
High Priest and only Mediator between God and man. We affirm that Jesus is the
only Savior, the only way by which anyone can receive the gift of eternal life.
Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-11; Acts 4:12; John 14:6; Hebrews 1:1; John 1:1-18
The Person and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, who gives glory to
the Father and the Son. He proceeds from the Father and Son and, equal in
deity, was active in creating and ordering the universe. He is the agency of
Divine life to the believer: convicting the unregenerate of their sin, regenerating
the believer and baptizing the believer into the Body of Christ. He indwells
guides, instructs, illuminates, and empowers the believer for godly living and
spiritual service. He assures and seals and keeps the believer and helps the
believer to connect with the fellowship of God through prayer. In this present age
the Holy Spirit works, in the world, to restrain sin and Satan.
I Corinthians 6:19; John 16:7-15; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:5-13; I Peter 4:10-11; II Thessalonians 2:6-7; Genesis 6:3
The Nature of Mankind
We believe that mankind, both male and female, were created in the image of
God. Until they sinned, they enjoyed the condition of righteousness and
unhindered fellowship with God. When they sinned through disobedience to God,
they incurred guilt, physical death, and spiritual death - which is separation from
God. Every member of the human race is in the condition of total depravity and
each generation by inheritance possesses this fallen nature. In our fallen state,
all people are subject to the power of the devil, and have within themselves no
means of recovery or salvation. Without the intervention of God all are doomed to
eternal perdition.
Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:7; Genesis 3:6-13; Romans 5:12-21; I Corinthians 15:21-22; Romans 3:23
Salvation
We believe that it is the love and mercy of God that caused Him to provide
salvation from sin and its penalty. Salvation is the free gift of God (neither
merited nor secured in part nor whole by any virtue or work of man) to be
received only through repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
All true believers have, as a present possession, the gift of eternal life, a perfect
imputed righteousness, sonship in the family of God, deliverance from all
condemnation, every spiritual resource needed for life and godliness, and the
Divine guarantee that they shall never perish. Salvation is initiated by God and
received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Genuine salvation produces a
changed life and good works that glorify God.
Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:10-13; John 5:24; I John 5:11-13
The Christian’s Walk
We believe that believers are called with a holy calling to live, not after the mind
and will of the flesh, but according to the will and power of the indwelling Holy
Spirit. This prevents the believer from being dominated by the old nature, which
in this life is not eradicated. We must live by faith in Christ and renew our
subjection to His lordship; else the old nature will manifest its presence in our
lives to the dishonor of our Lord. Faithful study and obedience to the Word of
God, and an ongoing conversation of prayer are essential to living in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16-25; Romans 8:5-13; II Timothy 2:15; I Thessalonians 5:17; Romans 12:1-2
The Church
We believe that the true church is composed of people of all nations who,
through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit.
The church is seen in the New Testament and expressed in this current age as
local congregations of baptized believers with the Lord Jesus Christ as its only
true Head. The local New Testament church is autonomous under the Lordship
of Jesus Christ and is the primary visible agency for the Kingdom of God on
earth, and takes priority over all other non-church or para-church organizations.
Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 3:9-11; Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 1:18
The Blessed Hope of the Believer: Christ’s Return
We believe in the personal, imminent, Second-coming of our Lord Jesus: that
Jesus Christ will literally return to earth to receive His church to Himself. The
dead in Christ will be resurrected bodily and living believers will be changed as
they are caught up into His presence in the clouds to ever be with the Lord.
I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:51-54; Acts 1:11
The Eternal State
We believe that the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for
salvation do, at death, immediately pass into His presence and there remain in
conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body. At Christ’s coming for His
church, the soul and glorified body of the believer will be reunited and be
associated with Him forever in Glory. All who reject God’s call to salvation will be
judged and punished with everlasting torment and separation from the presence
of the Lord.
Revelation 21:6-8; Revelation 20:14-15; II Corinthians 5:1-11
The Christian Home
We believe that God created the first two people: Adam and Eve and made them
as counterparts to one another. Both male and female were made in the image
and likeness of God. They are equal, but different, each with different roles to fill
in family life. Eve was created for Adam, thus establishing his leadership and
care for her. From the beginning God gave, and has affirmed the covenant of
marriage to be a life-long covenant only between one man and one woman.
From the beginning God has established home and family as a place of love,
ministry, and acceptance.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Matthew 19:3-14; Ephesians 5:21-33
The Relationship between Christians and Government
We believe in the separation of church and state, but not in separation of God
and government. Christians are called to be “salt and light” in society to influence
the nation for good, that the nation can be blessed and not cursed. God’s people
are instructed to honor and obey all authorities up to the point of disobedience to
God.
Romans 13:1-10; Matthew 5:13-16; Proverbs 14:34; Acts 5:29
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