Statement
Of Faith
WE BELIEVE IN
1. God
We believe that there is one God, Who has existed eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:7). God is the creator of all things, seen and unseen, and by Him all things consist (Colossians 1:17).
2. Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 3:16); God manifest in the flesh (John 1:1, 14). He was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), lived a sinless human life (John 8:46), and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin by dying on a cross (Hebrews 10:12). He rose from the dead (Matthew 28:6). ascended to Heaven and will return someday to reign as King (Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Revelation 19:11-16). We practice the celebration of the Lord's Supper as a remembrance of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:24-50).
3. The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus (John 16:8-9). He lives in every believer from the moment of salvation (1 Corinthians 6:9), providing an inward witness of salvation (Romans 8:16), daily guidance (Romans 8:14), and the growth of Christ-like character (Galatians 5:22-23). The baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience distinct from (and subsequent to) the new birth (Acts 19:2), evidenced initially by speaking in other tongues (Acts 2:4). Its purpose is to provide power to live the Christian life and to be a witness for Jesus (Acts 1:8). We believe in the manifestation of the supernatural gifts of the Spirit as listen in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.
4. The Bible
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). Because it is inspired by God, it is Truth without error, and it is what we look to as our guide for Christian belief and practice.
5. Man's Condition
We believe that all men everywhere have sinned (Romans 3:23) and, apart from Jesus Christ, face the judgment of God (John 3:18, 36). We are incapable of regaining a right relationship with god through our own efforts (Isaiah 64:6; Ephesians 2:8-9).
6. Eternity
We believe that human beings are created by God to exist forever. That "forever" will be spent in one of two places: in union with God (because we received forgiveness and salvation through Christ), or eternally separated from Him because of our sin. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal conscious existence (John 14:1-3; Mark 16:16; Revelation 20:10-15).
7. Salvation
We believe that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). We can never make up for our sin with self-improvement or good works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). It is only by trusting in the finished work of Christ that you can be saved from sin's penalty. Salvation is received by accepting the Lordship of Jesus in your life and believing that God has raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). In that moment you pass from death unto life (John 5:24).
8. Baptism
We believe that baptism is a way for us to publicly declare our new life in Christ. Water baptism does not save. Rather it is an outward expression of an inward work; a bold declaration to the world of our new life in Christ. Baptism by immersion in water represents the person being crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20), burying the old man, and being resurrected with Jesus to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).
9. The Church
We believe that all true believers are members of the Universal Church (the Body of Christ), regardless of their "label" or denominational affiliation (Romans 12:4-8).
10. Faith
Every believer has been given "the measure of faith" through which he receives the promises of God in this life (Romans 12:3). Our measure of faith can grow and be developed by hearing and acting on the Word of God (Romans 10:17).