Our Beliefs
Doctrinal Statement of Faith
Scripture
We believe the Bible is God’s Holy Word, written down by people who were moved to write what they wrote by divine inspiration of God’s Spirit. The Scriptures are inspired by God, without error in all that they teach, and are the final authority on all things (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21).
God
We believe God is Spirit, personal and unlimited. God is one and exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All three are equal in authority, power, and the qualities of divinity. God created the universe for His own glory, and He remains active in all that happens, assuring that all of creation moves towards His desired ends (Gen. 1:1; Deut 6:4; Psalm 90:2; Psalm 139:1-8; Mal. 3:6; Matt. 28:19; Mark 12:29; John 1:1-4; Rom. 1:19-20; 1 Cor. 1:25; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; Col. 1:16-17; 1 Tim. 1:17; Heb. 1:1-3; Heb. 13:8; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; 1 John 4:8; Rev. 4:1-6).
The Father
We believe God the Father is sovereign over all things. He is the Creator and Father to all men, but He is the spiritual Father only to believers. He saves from sin all those who are drawn by Him, and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own John 3:16, 6:44; Acts 17:29; Rom. 8:14-15; 2 Cor. 6:18; Gal. 3:26; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 1:3-11; Eph. 4:6; Heb. 12:5-9; James 1:13; 1 Pet. 1:17)
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ became a man through the miracle of the virgin birth. He is both fully God and fully man, yet perfect and without sin. By His perfect obedience in this life, He was able to offer the perfect sacrifice for all sin. Through His death on the cross, He delivers from the punishment and power of sin those who trust in Him, thus restoring us to a right relationship with God. He rose from the dead, thus confirming that we too will rise from the dead. He ascended into heaven and now serves as the one Mediator between God and us (Matt. 1:23; Luke 24:27; Luke 24:44; John 5:39; Acts 17:2-3; Acts 18:28; Acts 26:22-23; Acts 28:23; 1 Cor. 15:4; 1 Tim. 2:5-6).
The Holy Spirit
The third Person of the Trinity enters the life of Christ’s followers when they surrender their lives to Him. The Spirit teaches us to love God, empowers us to follow Jesus and equips us with spiritual gifts to serve others (Luke 11:13; John 7:38-39; John 14:16-17; John 15:26; John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:16-25; Eph 5:18).
The Nature of Humanity
We believe humans were created in God’s image to enjoy His fellowship and fulfill His will. Because humans fell into sin through disobedience, all are spiritually dead apart from Jesus Christ. This deadening effect spreads to all, as each is born with a sinful nature. All men and women are in need of personal deliverance from God’s eternal judgment for their sinfulness (Gen. 1:26; Gen. 2:17; Gen. 6:5; Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 139:14; Jer. 17:9; John 3:6; John 5:12-19; Rom. 3:23; Eph. 2:1-3).
Salvation
We believe Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is the only provision by which a person may be delivered from sin and eternal death and be reconciled to God. God invites them to accept the deliverance that is offered through the death of Jesus Christ. He implants new life in people so they repent: turning from sin and toward Him, trusting in Him alone for their forgiveness. Salvation is a gift of God that comes through grace by faith. His Word assures us He will continue that work and will not abandon His commitment to save us and seals us into eternal security, knowing we have eternal life with Him. (John 3:16; John 5:24; John 10:27-29; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Acts 13:38-39; Acts 16:31; Rom. 3:19-28; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 1:1-14, 2:1-10; Heb. 10:1-14; 1 John 5:11-13).
The Church
We believe all who are united through the Holy Spirit by faith in Jesus are a part of the Body of Christ. The church is part of God’s design to equip believers while together glorifying God through worship, service, teaching and evangelism (Matt. 16:16-18; Acts 2:32-47; Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 1:20-23; Eph. 4:3-10; Col. 3:14-15).
The Future
We believe Jesus Christ will return to dwell with man and will restore all things. All unbelievers and fallen angels will be judged and condemned to hell forever. All believers will be judged and enter into the presence of God in the eternal kingdom of the new heaven and the new earth (Luke 12:35-40; Luke 17:26-30; Luke 18:8; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; 2 Thess. 2:3-8; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Rev. 20:10-21:5).
Baptism
We believe Christian baptism is symbolic of being brought from death in sin to life in Christ. Baptism is a believer’s testimony, commanded by Christ and affirming connection to the Body of Christ and to personal faith in the crucified, buried, resurrected, and ascended Christ (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38-41; Acts 8:36-39; Rom. 6:1-11; Col. 2:11-12).
Communion
We believe Holy Communion proclaims the continual remembrance of Christ’s death until He comes and should be preceded by worshipful self-examination for sin. We believe the elements of communion are symbolic of the flesh and blood of Christ and is for believers only (1 Cor. 11:17-34).
Marriage
We believe and honor only the Biblical Marriage as only found between one man and one woman. (Gen. 2:18-24; Matt 19:4-6 – Jesus; Eph 5:31-33).