OUR BELIEFS
STATEMENTS OF FAITH
We believe in the Godhead
Our God is One but is manifested in three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; being co-equal (Deuteronomy 6:4; John 1:14; 14:28; 16:28; 1 John 5:7).
We believe everything begins with God
He is the Eternal in existence a revealed Person of the Godhead, Perfect, Personal Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of the universe. He is the only true God (Genesis 1:1, 26; Exodus 3:14; Psalm 19:1).
We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God
He is Eternal in existence, a revealed Person of the Eternal Godhead and came to earth for mankind. He was crucified on the cross for the sins of mankind, he was resurrected from the dead, he ascended into heaven, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. His life, teachings, death, and resurrection offer the only true hope for all people (John 1:14; John 3:16-17; John 14:6; Acts 4:7; Romans 5:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:20-21).
We believe the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God
He is Eternal in existence, and a revealed Person of the Godhead. He convicts people of sin and draws them to Jesus. He indwells the life of each Believer. He guides us into all truth and seals us for eternity. He gifts each follower of Jesus to be useful in God’s hands in service to the church and world. He empowers the people of God to face daily life on earth. (John 14:5-15; John 14:25-27; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 12:1-11; Ephesians 1:13-14)
We believe the Bible is the Word of God
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. We accept the new covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21). The Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God, completely true and authoritative in all areas of faith and practice.
We believe salvation is God’s gift of eternal life
All human beings are created in the image of God. However, each person is a sinner and is separated from God. The first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that produces repentance. The new birth is necessary to all, and when fulfilled, it produces eternal life (John 3:3-5, II Corinthians 7:10, I John 5:12). Only through accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can a person be restored into a relationship with God and receive the gift of eternal life (Romans 1:16 -18; 3:23; 6:23; 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:8-9).
We believe the Church is the Body of Christ on earth today
A New Testament church is an autonomous local congregation of regenerated and baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; and observing the two ordinances of Christ. Jesus established the church and is the Head of the Church as it exists to perform God’s will on earth. Believers are to invest themselves in the life and work of the Church (Matthew 16:17-18; Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 12:27; Hebrews 10:25).
We believe the Lord’s Supper symbolizes the Sacrifice of Jesus
The elements of the Lord’s Supper represent the Body and Blood of Jesus. This ordinance is for Believers only. It also is a celebration of the community we experience through the new covenant established by Jesus Himself (Luke 22:14-23; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
We believe in the FALL of humanity and the REDEMPTION available in Jesus Christ
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and the image of God, but through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into the world. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the work of the devil and to give His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God (I John 3:8). Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the Law, which is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God (Ephesians 2:8).
We believe baptism is a sign of discipleship
Baptism in water by immersion is for Believers only. It is a direct commandment of our Lord. Each Believer is to be immersed in water as an act of obedience and humility. It symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It also is a sign of the new life each Believer has accepted in Jesus. It is a requirement to be a member of our church (Matthew 3:13-17; 28:18-20; Acts 8:36-38; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12). The following recommendation regarding the water baptismal formula is adopted: "On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen."
We believe in baptism of the Holy Spirit
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the New Birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance (Matt. 3:11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 19:1-7; Acts 2:1-4).
We believe reaching lost people is the responsibility of each follower of Christ
Believers are to share the Gospel message with those who are lost. We begin in our own communities, however, Jesus commanded us to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. We are to join our efforts with other Believers to ensure all nations hear the good news of Jesus (Matt. 10:32; 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 1:16-17; Colossians 1:6).
We believe each follower of Jesus is on a path of spiritual formation
Progressive Sanctification........ The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the doctrine of sanctification as a definite yet progressive work of grace, beginning at the time of regeneration and continuing until the day of Christ Jesus' return for His saints. We are to be disciplined in learning spiritual truths and integrating them into our daily lives. This process leads to our transformation and offers us a life of spiritual productivity (John 3:3,7; 14:6; Romans 8:28-30; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Colossians 3:1-10; Philippians 3:12-14; Hebrews 12:14; II Peter 3:18).
We believe stewardship of our earthly goods is a God-given responsibility
God has blessed us with earthly resources. We are to honor Him in how we handle our money and our possessions. As obedient stewards we are to invest our time, talents, and treasures regularly in the work of God’s Kingdom (Psalm 24:1-2; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4; Luke 16:13-21; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7).
We believe in Biblically defined Marriage
We believe in God's original and ordained plan for marriage between one man and one woman and believe that Biblical marriage is a covenant with God and each other in marriage between a husband and wife to the exclusion of all others(Genesis 1:27, 2:7, 18-19; Matthew 19:4).
We believe in the resurrection of the dead and the return of Jesus Christ
In God’s perfect timing and in God’s perfect way, Jesus Christ will return to the earth as Lord. His return will be the fulfillment and final consummation of the purposes of the Kingdom of God. He shall return to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Matthew 24:29-31; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; Revelation 21:1-4; 22:1-16).
We believe in hell and eternal retribution
The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the Lake of Fire, and therefore, has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or repenting. The Lake of Fire is literal. The terms "eternal" and 'everlasting' used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the Lake of Fire carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstasy of saints in the presence of God (Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 19:20).