What We Believe
The Bible
The Bible is God's word to all people. It tells the story of God, man, sin, redemption, and reconciliation. The scriptures consist of 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books. Since the Word is inspired by God, the Bible is the supreme source of truth without error and completely relevant for daily living. Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Psalm 119:11, Psalm 119:89, Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 30:5, Isaiah 40:8, John 5:39, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Hebrews 1:1-2
The Trinity
There is one God. He is infinite, eternal, almighty, and perfect in holiness, truth, and love. In the unity of the Godhead, there are three co-existing, equal, eternal persons; God the father, Jesus the son, and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority. Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 61:1, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, James 2:19
God
God is the creator of heaven and earth. God is great, all-powerful, all-knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, holy. He's loving, compassionate and faithful to His people and his promises. God is sovereign. He made all things for His glory and intends for man to live in right relationship with Him. Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:26-27, Exodus 3:14, Psalm 11:4-6, Matthew 28:19, John 3:16, John 14:1, Acts 17:28, Romans 3:3-4, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Peter 1:2
Jesus
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Born of a virgin, Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people through His death on the cross. He is God's plan for bringing people who are separated from God back into a right relationship with Him. He arose from the dead after three days, defeating death so that we could have life. By His death in our place, He revealed the divine love and upheld divine justice, removing our guilt and reconciling us to God. He ascended to heaven and will return again someday to earth to reign as King. Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 1:8-13, John 1:1-5, John 14:10-30, Acts 1:9-11, Romans 1:3-4, Philippians 2:5-11, 1 Peter 2:24
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus. He unites Christ followers to Jesus through faith and dwells within their lives. He provides Christians with the power for living, for understanding spiritual truth, and for guidance for doing what is right. He convicts people of sin, comforts, gives spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Jesus. Genesis 1:2, Psalm 51:2, Acts 1:8, John 16:8-11, Romans 8:9, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 1:13
Human Beings
Men and women are made in the image of God. We are to be like Him in character and in person. Human beings are the supreme object of God's creation. Although each person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by the attitude of disobedience towards God called sin. Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our lives. As a result, no one can attain a right relationship with God through his or her own effort. Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 8:3-6, Isaiah 59:1-2, Romans 3:22-23, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 1:21-31, Colossians 1:21-22
The Gospel
Jesus Christ is the Gospel, the good news revealed by His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Christ's crucifixion is the heart of the gospel, His resurrection is the power of the gospel, and His ascension is the glory of the gospel. Jesus Christ is the mediator between people and God. Christ's death satisfied the demands of God's holy justice and appeases God's wrath. There is no other name by which man can be saved. This truth reveals God's mysterious love along with His amazing grace. Romans 3:22-23, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Ephesians 2:8-10, 1 Peter 1:18-19
Salvation
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, it cannot be earned through man's efforts. Isaiah 1:18, Matthew 1:21, Luke 1:68-69, John 1:12, John 3:16, Acts 2:21, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 2:8-10, Revelation 3:20
Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or eternally connected with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally connected with him is eternal life in heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of existence. John 3:16, John 14:17, Romans 8:17-18, 1 Corinthians 2:7-9, Revelation 20:15
The Church
By His Word and by His Spirit, God creates the Church, calling sinful people into fellowship with Christ's body. The Church is not a religious institution or denomination. Rather, the universal Church is made up of those who become followers of Jesus Christ. The Church exists to worship and serve God by doing His will. The Church has been called to preach the Gospel, make disciples in an effort to transform the world. The Bible commands Christ followers to devote themselves to the observance of baptism and communion as the sacramental ordinances established by Jesus. We believe that God commands baptism by immersion, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and that it is subsequent to conversion. That it is not a saving ordinance, but an obedient outward expression of an inward work of the Holy Spirit of God. We believe that communion is a representation of the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Himself. It's also an ordinance showing the death, burial, resurrection of our Lord, and looking forward to the second coming of Christ to receive his own. All members of the universal Church are to be a vital and committed part of the local church. The Holy Spirit has gifted the church for equipping its people to mature and grow. All members are to be equipped for ministering to one another in the world. The local church is the hope of the world. Matthew 3:13-17, Matthew 16:18, Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-24, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 4:4-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
Faith & Practice
The Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. This church recognizes that we cannot bind the conscience of individual members in areas where scripture is silent. Rather, each Christ follower is to be led in those areas by the Holy Spirit, to whom he or she alone is ultimately responsible
