What We Believe
We believe that there are basic beliefs found in Scripture that are essentials for living the Christian life. On these items there has to be unity. However, there are other beliefs that are not essentials of the faith, so we allow freedom to believe as God has led you to understand the Scriptures. We simply ask that in all matters of faith and practice, we allow love to guide in areas of disagreement. The following is a summary of essential doctrinal beliefs concerning:
There is only one true God and he is Sovereign and the Supreme Creator and Ruler of the universe. He is all powerful, all knowing, unchangeable, holy, righteous, and the only true God. He has always existed in three co-equal and distinct personalities: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, while maintaining His oneness. The Father is the representative spiritual head of the Godhead equal to the Son and the Holy Spirit.
(See Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24 and 10:30; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 1:8)
Jesus is the eternal Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was born of a virgin mother and lived a perfect, sinless human life. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of all people by literally dying on the cross. He arose bodily on the third day to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven and will visibly return again someday to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
(See John 1:1–2, 14; Acts 1:11; Philippians 2:5–11; Hebrews 4:15)
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and Son. He is present in the world to point people to Jesus Christ. His presence in the believer is a guarantee from God of salvation and ensures the believer of God’s spiritual guidance, understanding and gifts. Christians are to be controlled by His influence. The Holy Spirit also convicts people concerning sin, righteousness and judgment.
(See John 14:16 – 17; Galatians 5:16 – 17; Ephesians 1:13 – 14 and 4:30; Hebrews 2:4)
The Bible is God’s Word to mankind. It is written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the God-breathed, inspired truth without any mixture of error. It is the Word of God and therefore is authoritative and perfectly reliable for instruction. The Bible is the supreme and final authority for faith and practice in the lives of believers and His Church.
(See Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:14–17 and 4:1–5; 2 Peter 1:20–21)
Mankind is created in the image or likeness of God to fellowship with Him and to rule over the earth as God’s representatives. Yet, beginning with Adam, all mankind has fallen into sin, having rebelled against God, therefore separating them from fellowship with God. Humans are spiritual and physical beings, the supreme object of creation, but all humans are marred by a sinful nature. As a result all people sin and are separated from God by this attitude of selfishness and disobedience.
(See Genesis 1:26–27 and 3:1–24; Romans 1:18–21, 3:21–23, 5:6–8, 6:23)
Salvation is God’s free gift to all who will accept it. The only way a person can be saved from the penalty of sin is by trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. There is no other way that a person can be saved except through personal faith in Jesus Christ. By repenting or turning from one’s self-ruled life of sin and turning to Jesus in faith, one can be forgiven and become right with God again. The moment a person receives the gift of salvation, they receive eternal life. Since salvation is a free gift that is received, the true believer can never lose that salvation. Salvation is based on the promises of God rather than the self-effort of the Christian. Faith in Christ leads to works because salvation is a supernatural work of grace from beginning to end.
(See John 3:16, 5:24, and 10:29; Romans 10:8–9; 2 Corinthians 5:16–21; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:8–10)
The church is the body of Christ on earth, of which Christ is the head. It consists of all true believers who have been sealed by the Holy Spirit. Locally, believers are united in worship and are gifted for service as they are equipped by pastors and teachers to do the work of the ministry to the world.
(See Ephesians 4:11–13; Hebrews 10:24–25)
When God created people, he created them for eternity. Our final destination for eternity will depend on our relationship to God. Those who have received salvation will spend eternity in an actual place called Heaven. Those who choose to remain alienated from God by their sinfulness and their selfishness will live eternally in an actual place called Hell.
(See John 3:16; Revelation 20:15)
God created one male and one female as two distinct complementary genders. Then he commanded them to be fruitful and multiply. Marriage is the union of one man and one woman in an exclusive relationship. Sexual intimacy is to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to one another. It is only in the marriage of one man and one woman that the image of Christ’s love for his church can be revealed.
(Genesis 1:26–28; Genesis 2:18–25; Matthew 19:4–6; 1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2–5; Ephesians 6:2–3; Hebrews 13:4)