What We Believe

As a community of believers, we affirm:

As a community of believers, we affirm:
  • Scripture: The sixty-six books of the Bible are the written word of God. They are verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit, without error in the original manuscripts, and the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct (II Timothy 3:14-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 19:7-12).
  • God: There is only one true God. He eternally exists in three Persons — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — equal and harmonious in every respect, yet distinct in relation to the divine functions. God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things (John 8:12-59; 14:8-17).
  • Person of the Father: God the Father is the sovereign, holy, and merciful Lord. He judges righteously and, in love, pursues the redemption of His fallen creation (Psalm 139; Isaiah 40; John 3:16-21).
  • Person of Jesus Christ: God the Eternal Son became a man through the virgin birth, a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, uniting perfect deity and true humanity in one Person. Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, rose bodily from the dead, and ascended into heaven as Lord of all. He now intercedes for believers and will return personally and visibly to receive them, to establish His Kingdom, and rule in righteousness and peace (Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1-18; I Corinthians 15:1-8; Colossians 1:15-23; Hebrews 4:14-16; Revelation 19:11-20).
  • Person of the Holy Spirit: God the Holy Spirit glorifies the Father and the Son in all He does, not calling attention to Himself. His work includes convicting and regenerating sinners, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ at the time of regeneration, living in them, enabling them to live a life of obedient faith, and equipping and empowering them for service and witness (Ephesians 5:18-21; Galatians 5; John 14-16; Romans 8).
  • Humanity: God created man and woman in His image, but they became separated from God through their disobedience. Consequently, every human being is born a sinner, unwilling and unable to please God. Therefore, even those who have never heard the truth about God and His provision for salvation remain lost (Genesis 1-3; Romans 3,4).
  • Salvation: Eternal salvation is wholly a work of God. Out of His abundant grace, God forgives sinners when they repent of their sin and put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus assumes their punishment for sin, credits His righteousness to those who believe, and brings them into a relationship with God as His children (Romans 5; 10:8-10).
  • Sanctification: Believers are declared holy before God because of the finished work of Christ. Until they are glorified, when they will be with the Lord, they are to grow in godliness as they submit to Christ’s lordship, live in Christian community, and be filled (controlled and empowered) by the Holy Spirit (II Peter 3:14-18; Romans 8:28-30; Hebrews 10:10; Ephesians 5:18).
  • The Church: The church universal as the body of Christ is under His Headship and is comprised of all believers. It is local communities of believers organized for corporate worship, edification, fellowship, and the continuation of Christ’s mission on earth. God gives spiritual gifts and leaders to the Church for its edification. The two God-ordained symbolic rites of the Church are baptism of believers and the Lord’s supper (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 3:8-11, 20-21 and 4:11-16; Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19).
  • Resurrection: There will be a final bodily resurrection of all people. Believers will rise again to eternal life and conscious fellowship with God. Unbelievers will rise again to eternal punishment and conscious separation from God (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Daniel 12:2-4; I Corinthians 15; II Corinthians 5:1-10).
  • Satan and Spiritual Conflict: Satan and other fallen angels are real, have personality, are enemies of God, and destroyers of men. While they were defeated at the cross and are limited in operation, they still engage in spiritual battle against God’s people and against His purpose until the final day of judgment. Through Christ, believers can live victoriously in this struggle with the forces of evil (Ephesians 6:10-18 and 2:1-3; Hebrews 2:14-18; James 4:6-7). 
  • Mission: Christ commissioned the Church to communicate the Good News of God’s redemptive love and provision of salvation to all people. They do this by verbal witness, godly living, and acts of compassion. It is the solemn responsibility of all believers to work with Christ in fulfilling the commission of making disciples among all peoples (Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:6-11).