The Bible: We believe that the Bible is the Word of God. He inspired His servants to write the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament. They are infallible and without error and have been reliably passed down and translated through the ages. The Bible is vital for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. It is our foundation and the primary source for all that we know about God, life, and ourselves. It is the final authority by which we measure all other writings and teachings. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105
The Trinity: We believe that there is only one God, who exists as three personal expressions: the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. They are equal in power and glory, but distinct in function. The early church coined the term “Trinity” to express the threefold nature of God. Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:8; Mark 1:9-12; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
God: We believe that God is the sovereign ruler over all things. He is eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present, yet transcending His creation. He created everything, seen and unseen, and He sustains all things. By His very nature, He is loving, holy and just. Genesis 21:33; Luke 1:37; Psalm 139; Genesis 1; 1 John 4:16; Leviticus 11:44; 1 Corinthians 8:6
Jesus Christ: We believe that Jesus is God and has always existed with God the Father. He was co-creator of all things and holds the cosmos together. Jesus was the Messiah (Christ) foretold by the Old Testament prophets. He became a man, born of the virgin Mary, yet never ceased to be fully God. He lived among us, performing many miracles and enduring all the temptations we face, yet without sin. In fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, He died in payment for our sins and was resurrected three days later. He ascended to the right hand of the Father where He remains as our intercessor and advocate. Matthew 16:16; John 1:1-3, 14; Colossians 1:16-17; Matthew 1:23; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Corinthians 15:2-9; Acts 1:9; 2:33; 1 Timothy 2:5-6
The Holy Spirit: We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, not an impersonal force. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. God’s Spirit indwells all believers and guides us in the ways of God. He replenishes and empowers us for growth, good works, and the service of God. He gives believers various gifts and abilities for the common good. John 16:8-11; Romans 8:11-16; John 14:26; Ephesians 3:16-17; Acts 1:8; Romans 12:4-8; 2 Corinthians 12:7-11
Mankind: We believe that men and women were created by God, in His image and for His purpose, plan, and pleasure. Original sin entered the world through Adam’s willful act of disobedience and sin’s nature now contaminates and corrupts all mankind, resulting in physical and spiritual death. Every human stands guilty before God for our own willful acts of disobedience. Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 138:8,139:16; Ephesians 1:4-5; Genesis 3; Romans 5:12, 3:23, 6:23
Salvation: We believe that God freely offers mankind salvation from sin’s destruction and penalty because of His unconditional love, granting eternal life and restoring believers to intimacy with Himself. Christ died as a willing, atoning sacrifice to satisfy the penalty of sin and rose from the grave to confirm His victory over sin. Through His sacrifice, we are forgiven of our sins, justified (given right-standing before God and bestowed with of the righteousness of Christ), and adopted into God’s family. This salvation is given by God’s grace, not our good works. Our only requirement is to truly confess that Jesus Christ is Lord – and that He is our Lord – and repent of our sins, turning from them to God, out of a sincere conviction and Godly sorrow. Romans 5:8; John 3:16; Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, 16-20; Romans 5:1-2, 8:15; Ephesians 2:1-10; Acts 2:38, 16:30-31; 2 Corinthians 7:10
Baptism of the Spirit: We believe that the baptism with the Holy Spirit, the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit foretold in the Old Testament, occurs at the moment of salvation and is received by all believers. At the same time, we should continually seek the Spirit’s ongoing influence, empowerment, and filling. While we embrace and encourage the gifts the Holy Spirit, we believe that the best evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is consistent growth in the fruit of the Spirit. Joel 2:28-29; Ezekiel 36:27; Acts 2:1-4, 2:38-39; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 5:18; Acts 4:31; Romans 12:4-8; 2 Corinthians 12:7-11; Galatians 5:22-23
Sanctification and Godly Living: We believe that, as believers, all our sins are forgiven when we are saved, yet sanctification is a life-long and daily process whereby we grow in faith and Godliness as a cooperative work with the Holy Spirit. Good works do not bring salvation, but if we are truly saved and the Holy Spirit is working in our lives, we will progress toward a godly lifestyle, growing to walk in a manner that is worthy of children of God. Good works are an outer reflection of God’s inner work. Romans 6:12-23, 8:1-14; Colossians 1:10-14; Galatians 5:16-26; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; James 2:18
The Church: We believe that the church functions as Christ’s body, the instrument He uses to accomplish His work and plans on the earth. While every believer is automatically a part of the church, it is vital that we affiliate ourselves with a local congregation so that we may be edified, receive correction, and have opportunity to serve the body of Christ. The purpose of the church is to fulfill Christ’s Great Commandment (to love God and our neighbors) and His Great Commission (to make disciples, baptize, and teach). While there are many different denominations and congregations, everyone that believes in Jesus and practices Biblical Christianity is united though the body of Christ; every effort should be made to maintain unity. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Hebrews 10:24-25; Galatians 6:1-2; Ephesians 4:11-14; Luke 10:27; Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:3-6
Baptism and Communion: We believe that Christ established baptism and communion as the two ordinances of the church. They are outward, physical rites that are symbols of a spiritual work and reality. They are to be practiced in obedience to the commands of our Lord, but they are not required for salvation. 1 Corinthians 11:24-26; Matthew 28:19
Baptism by submersion is a symbol, first of our death and resurrection with Christ, and second of the washing away of our sins. It is a public confession and proclamation of our spiritual rebirth. As such, baptism should occur when a person is old enough to have made a genuine confession of faith. Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21; Colossians 2:12
Communion is a symbol of Jesus’ atoning death and the establishment of the new covenant. It serves as a regular reminder of Christ’s great sacrifice and what it accomplished for us. Communion at His Place is available to all believers, regardless of church affiliation. 1 Corinthians 11:24-26
Healing and Miracles: We believe that God still heals and works miraculously today, according to His will and in His manner. Physical healing is not a divine right of Christians: In His wisdom, God heals some through miracles, some through medicine, and some are not healed at all. However, as believers, we are promised that God can work all things for our benefit. James 5:14-16; Romans 8:28
Christ’s Second Coming: We believe that Jesus will literally come back to earth to establish the kingdom of God in fullness. His return should be anticipated with great hope and spur us on to Godly living, but we should not be distracted by excessive speculations regarding the “day or hour” of His coming. Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-5:4; Titus 2:11-13;
Matthew 24:36-39
Judgment: We believe that after death, all men and women will be judged by God for everything they have done. The believer will be found innocent on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice, and yet we anticipate an evaluation of how we built upon the foundation Christ has given us. The unbeliever should anticipate judgment and condemnation for their rebellion against God. 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; John 3:18; Romans 2:5-6
Heaven is the glorious eternal home for all genuine believers, where they will spend eternity in God’s presence. John 14:2-3; John 3:36
Hell is a place of eternal torment and separation from God for Satan and all who reject Christ. Revelation 20:10-15
