WHAT WE BELIEVE
We are committed to the essentials of the faith and call all members to hold fast to these truths revealed by God's Word and understood historically by His Church.
THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is plenary-verbally inspired, the very Word of God, authoritative, infallible and inerrant in the original writings (autographs). God's Word, being fully inspired by God in its entirety, is the authority for all faith and life.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Matthew 5:18, John 16:12-13)
THE TRINITY
We believe there is one true God, who has always existed as the holy, sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is one God who exists as three distinct persons: The Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is love and lives in a perfect relationship of absolute oneness and humility. In His absolute power He accomplishes all things according to His purposes and will.
(Genesis 1, Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 46:9-10, Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 28:19-20)
THE PERSON & WORK OF JESUS CHRIST
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has always existed and is fully God. He became man without ceasing to be God. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. We believe that He accomplished our redemption through His sinless life and death on the cross as a voluntary, substitutionary sacrifice. We believe that our redemption is made sure by His literal, bodily resurrection from the dead. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is now in heaven exalted at the right hand of God, whereas the High Priest for His people, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate.
(John 1:1-2, Luke 1:35, Romans 3:24-25, Romans 4:25, I Peter 1:3-5, Hebrews 7:25, 9:24, Romans 8:34, I John 2:1-2.
THE PERSON & WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit has always existed and is fully God. The Spirit brings about conviction of sins and repentance that leads to salvation. He permanently dwells in believers and gives spiritual gifts to help them accomplish His purpose in the church and in the world. In the life of the believer, He is involved in the New Birth, the sealing of salvation, and in developing holiness.
(Romans 8:4, I Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4-5, Colossians 3:16, John 16:8, Ephesians 1:13-14)
HUMANITY
We believe that all humanity, male and female, was created in the image and likeness of God to enjoy relationship with Him and fulfill His purposes. When Adam sinned, all humanity became infected with sin and separated from God. As a result, all people are spiritually dead and experience both physical and spiritual death apart from faith in Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
(Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 3, Romans 3:22-23, 5:12, Matthew 19)
SALVATION
We believe that God is the Author of salvation, which is accomplished by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from human merit. Salvation is a free gift of God brought to man by the Lord Jesus Christ whose precious blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. At the moment of salvation all believers are baptized and sealed in the Holy Spirit. Every believer's salvation is secure, being kept by the power of God. However, a believer by disobedience can mar his fellowship with God, lose his joy and testimony, and ultimately incur the Father's loving discipline. While we do not believe good works are meritorious in obtaining salvation, we do believe that good works are an evidence of salvation.
(John 3:18, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 1:12, Ephesians 1:7, 13-14, 2:10, Romans 8:38-39, John 10:27-30, I Corinthians 1:4-8, 1 John 1, Hebrews 12:9-11)