What We Believe
The sole basis of our belief is the Bible, composed of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe that Scripture in its entirety originated with God and was given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit through chosen men. Scripture both speaks with the authority of God and reflects the backgrounds, styles, and vocabularies of the human authors. We hold that the Scriptures are infalliable and inerrant in the original manuscripts. They are in unique, full, and final authority on matters of faith and practice, and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalms 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:23-25
We believe that the one and only true God is the creator, ruler and sustainer of all things. He exists in three co-equal and co-eternal persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – each of whom possesses all the attributes of deity and the characteristics of personhood.
Genesis 1:1-2; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-13; Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:49; 1 Corinthians 8:5-6
We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father and voluntarily atoned for the sins of all humanity by dying on the cross as their substitute, thus satisfying divine justice and accomplishing salvation for all who trust in Him alone. He rose bodily from the grave, was seen by many and ascended into heaven where he intercedes for his people and rules as Lord of all creation. Jesus will come again to earth, personally and visibly, to fulfill history and the eternal plan of God.
Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 53; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:5; Acts 1:3, 1:9-11; 4:10-12; Luke 24: 36-48; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-20; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 4:14-15; Revelation 22:20.
The result of a genuine saving relationship with Jesus Christ is a maturing life of holiness and obedience, attained by believers as they submit to the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity. He was sent into the world by the Father and the Son to apply to mankind the saving work of Christ. He enlightens the mind of sinners, awakens in them recognition of their need of a Savior and regenerates them. At the point of salvation, He indwells in every believer to become the source of assurance, strength and wisdom, and uniquely empowers each believer with spiritual gifts for the strengthening of the Body. The Holy Spirit provides each Christian with power to live in a manner pleasing to God, to understand spiritual truth, and to serve as ambassadors for Christ in our world.
John 14:16-17; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16, 6:19-20, 1 Corinthians 12; 2 Corinthians 3:16-18; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:11-13
The central purpose of God’s revelation in Scriptures is to call all people into fellowship with Himself. Originally created to have fellowship with God, humanity defied God, choosing to go their independent way, and thus were alienated from God and suffered the corruption of their nature, rendering them unable to please God. The fall took place at the beginning of human history; therefore, all individual since are sinners, are suffering these consequences and are in need of the saving grace of God.
The salvation of humanity is completely a work of God’s free grace and not the result, in whole or in part, of human works or goodness, and must be personally appropriated by repentance and continually transformed into the image of Christ.
Luke 24:46-47; John 3:16; Romans 5: 12-21, 10:13-15; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 3:8-9; Colossians 1:13-14; Titus 2:11, 3:5-7
The church is composed of all persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, are united together in faith and fellowship. The church is expressed in many unique and diverse ways through local congregations as it fulfills its five primary purposes: to worship God; to experience community with each other; to engage in the process of spiritual growth; to equip each other for service; and to reach the world through missions.
Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:16-19; Acts 2:24-47; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 2:19-22; 4:3-4, 11-16; Hebrews 10:25
As the church, we participate in living illustrations of God’s covenant with us through two symbolic acts:
Baptism – Baptism by immersion is a public profession of faith in Christ. It is symbolic of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It is a declaration to the world that we have died to sin and have been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life.
Matthew 3:13-17; 28:19-20; Luke 3:21-22; Acts 8:36-39; 16:31-34; Romans 6:1-4
Communion – The communion consists of two elements: the bread and the cup. These elements are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. Communion is a memorial of Christ’s sufferings on the cross and a celebration of our salvation.
Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34
Created to exists forever, each person’s death consummates his or her eternal destiny. Upon Christ’s return, the dead will be raised together with those who are alive to face the judgment of God. He or she will either consciously exist in Hell-eternally separated from God by sin, or, in the new Heaven and new earth-eternally in union with God through forgiveness and salvation.
John 3:16; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18; Hebrews 9:27; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15; Revelation 21:1-8
This list of core beliefs is an intentionally brief list, upheld with an understanding of freedom in which less essential matters are left to the conscience of our church leadership and our members. The less-essentials are important because we embrace the whole Word of God; but we also recognize there may different interpretations and application. We respect varying points of View, provided the essentials are not compromised.
We speak the truth to define our faith and extend it to others, but we speak out of love for them, and out of love for Jesus Christ, who said, “by this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 NRSV