The Bible
- We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the only
infallible guide and rule of our faith and practice. (Psalm 119:89;
Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21.)
God
- We believe there is one God. In the unity of the Godhead, there are
three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equal in every divine
perfection and attribute, fulfilling distinct but complementary roles in
the great work of redemption. (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17; 2
Corinthians 13:14; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 John 5:7.)
(1) God the Father We believe in God the Father, the
co-Creator with the Son and the Holy Spirit, who is the eternal,
all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere-present, and unchangeable Creator of
all. (Deuteronomy 32:6; Psalms 103:13; Isaiah 63:16; Matthew 6:9; John
3:1, 5:19-23, 17:1-11; Acts 17:28; Romans 8:14-16; Ephesians 4:6.)< br />
(2) God the Son We believe in God the Son, co-Creator with
the Father and Holy Spirit, who took upon Himself human form, being
conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and given the name,
Jesus. His death by crucifixion and His bodily resurrection reconciled the
human race to God. He ascended to heaven where He is seated at the right
hand of the Father making intercession for us as the King of kings and Lord
of lords. (Isaiah 53:1-5; Matthew 1:21-23; John 1:1-3, John 11:25-26;
Ephesians 1:20-23; Philippians 2:1-6; 1 Timothy 2:5.)
(3) God the Holy Spirit We believe in God the Holy Spirit, co-Creator with
the Father and Son, who is now sent by the Father through the Son to
convict the world of sin, lead us into all truth, and empower and equip the
Church to carry on Christ’s work on earth. (Genesis 1:2; John 14:26,
John 15:26, John 16:8; Acts 1:8.)
The fall of mankind
- We believe the human race is fallen from its original, created
goodness because of the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
(Genesis 1:27, Genesis 3:1-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12,
Romans 5:19.)
The plan of redemption
- We believe Jesus Christ was the sacrifice God planned from the
foundation of the world for the sin of the human race. By shedding His
blood and dying on the cross, Jesus made provision for the salvation of
all people. (Isaiah 53:5; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter
1:19-20.)
Salvation
- We believe, because of our total inability to save ourselves,
salvation is by God’s grace alone. It is received by faith with
repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Savior. (John
3:3, John 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 2:24.)
Water Baptism
- We believe water baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit is an outward sign of an inward work and is commanded by
God following conversion. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans
6:4.)
Communion
- We believe in partaking of the bread and the cup of communion in
remembrance of the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection. We celebrate
an open communion for all believers regardless of church affiliation.
(Luke 22:7-22; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28; 2 Corinthians 13:5.)
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
- We believe the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in every believer at the
moment of salvation. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is distinct from
salvation, releasing the power of the Holy Spirit through faith. The
baptism in the Holy Spirit is given to endue the believer with power from
God, to offer an inspired witness for Christ, to lead the believer in a
life of holiness, and to equip for a Spirit-filled life of service.
(John 7:37-39, John 14:16; Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4, Acts 2:38-39, Acts 8:14-17, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 19:6;
Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16.)
Spirit-Filled Life
- We believe every Christian should walk and abide in daily fellowship
with the Holy Spirit and experience continual renewing of God’s power to
live a Spirit-filled life in attitudes, thoughts, speech, and conduct. In
order to build up and equip both individual believers and the Church of
Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts that are to be
earnestly desired and exercised in the spirit of love. The fruit of the
Spirit to be cultivated in the life of every believer is love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and
self-control. (John 15:4, 15:8; Acts 4:31; Romans 8:1, 8:5, Romans 12:1-2,
Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 1 Corinthians 12:31; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Galatians
5:16-25; Ephesians 4:11, Ephesians 4:30-32, Ephesians 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; 1 Peter
1:15, 1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 John 2:6.)
Divine Healing
- We believe the power of God to heal the sick and afflicted is
provided for in Christ’s death on the cross. God is willing to and does
heal today. (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:18; Acts 3:16,
10:38; James 5:14-16; 1 Peter 2:24.)
Resurrection
- We believe the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ assures the
believer of bodily resurrection and eternal life. (Matthew 28:1-7;
Romans 6:1-10; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18.)
Second Coming of Christ
- We believe the second coming of Christ will be personal, visible, and
triumphant. (Zechariah 14:4; Matthew 24:36-44; Acts 1:11; 1
Thessalonians 4:16-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, 2:8; Titus 2:12-13;
Revelation 1:7.)
Church Relationship
- We believe Christians should assemble regularly for edification,
worship, fellowship, and proclamation of the gospel. All believers should
do the work of the ministry according to their spiritual gifts and should
tithe and otherwise contribute financially to their church. (Psalms
111:1; Malachi 3:8-10; Acts 2:42-47, 16:5; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians
16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Hebrews 10:24-25.)
Final Judgment and Hell
- We believe there will be a final judgment for all unbelievers. Hell
is an actual place of great suffering, bitter sorrow, and remorse
reserved forever for the devil and his angels and all whose names are not
written in Christ’s book of life. (Matthew 13:41-43, 25:41; Mark
9:43-44; Revelation 14:10-11, Revelation 20:10-15, Revelation 21:7-8.)
Heaven
We believe heaven is an actual place of happiness and security
where believers will dwell forever with God and receive the reward of their
deeds done while on earth. (John 14:2; 1 Corinthians 2:9, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
