WHAT WE BELIEVE

LIFE

THE GODHEAD

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; co-eternal in being and in nature; co-equal in power and glory; and having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; II Corinthians 13:14). He is self-existent, self-sufficient, eternal, infinite, omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, wise, immutable, sovereign, incomprehensible, inscrutable, holy, righteous and just, true, faithful, good, gracious, merciful, and loving.

THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal, pre-existent Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (John 1:1-2, 1:14; Luke 1:35). We believe the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His sinless life and His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24; I Peter 1:3-5, 2:24; Ephesians 1:7). We believe the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. (Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 7:25, 9:24; Romans 8:34; I John 2:1-2).

THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God The Father and God The Son, who convicts the world of sin. He brings revelation, teaches, guides, assures and prays for believers. He is the supernatural agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption (John 16:8-11; II Corinthians 3:6; I Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18).

SALVATION

We believe salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-10; John 1:12; I Peter 1:18-19).

TRUTH

THE SCRIPTURES

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the verbally inspired Word of God, bearing an authority superior to that of The Church or it’s creed, councils or declarations; the final authority for faith and life; inerrant in the original writings; infallible; and God-breathed (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12-13).

THE TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF MAN

We believe man was created in the image and likeness of God. Through Adamʼs sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Man is totally depraved and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3, 2:12).

ETERNAL SECURITY AND ASSURANCE OF BELIEVERS

We believe all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by Godʼs power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 8:38-39; I Corinthians 1:4-8; I Peter 1:5). We believe it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of Godʼs Word which clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to sin (Romans 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11-15).

PURPOSE

THE MINISTRY AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS

We believe God is sovereign in bestowing spiritual gifts. It is, however, the believerʼs responsibility to strive to develop their sovereignly given spiritual gift(s). The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion and joins the believer to the body of Christ. We believe particular spiritual gifts are not essential, nor do they prove the presence of the Holy Spirit. We believe it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to the gift(s) and grace of God given to him (Romans 12:1-8; I Corinthians 13; I Peter 4:10-11).

THE CHURCH

We believe the church, which is the body and espoused bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons (Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25-27; I Corinthians 12:12-14; II Corinthians 11:2). We believe the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament (Acts 14:27, 18:22, 20:17; I Timothy 3:1-3; Titus 1:5-11). We believe in the autonomy of the local churches, free of any external authority and control (Acts 13:1-4, 15:19-31, 20:28; Romans 16:1, 1:4; I Corinthians 3:9, 3:16, 5:4-7, 5:13; I Peter 5:1-4). We recognize believerʼs baptism and the Lordʼs Supper as scriptural means of testimony for the church (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 18:8; I Corinthians 11:23-26).