statement of belief

GOD

There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), eternally existent (John 1:1-3), creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1). He exists as three equal divine persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence but distinct in person and function (John 15:26, Matthew 3:16-17).


JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ is fully God (John 10:30) who took on flesh through the virgin birth (Matthew 1:22-23) and dwelt on the earth (John 1:14). He was perfectly sinless (Hebrews 4:15). He died on a cross as a substitute for our sins, was buried, and physically rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-8), and ascended to live eternally with the Father (Acts 1:10-11).


HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, coexistent with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19). The Holy Spirit indwells a person at the moment of conversion (Acts 10:44, Ephesians 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit is the chief agent of salvation and holiness in the life of the believer (Titus 3:5, Rev.22:17).

 

The transformative work of the Holy Spirit is shown by the change in a person’s life reflecting Christ’s character (Galatians 5:22-26, Ephesians 2:10). 

 

The Holy Spirit endows each believer with special gifts to minister to the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11;1 Peter 4:10-11)


MAN

God created men and women in his own image and all have equal, unique, and unalterable value and dignity as the crown of God’s creation. (Gen. 1:26-27) Humans rebelled against God in the Garden and separated themselves from the source of all life (Gen. 3).

 

Every member of the human race since then is sinful by nature and choice, having desires that rebel against God and His plan (Psalm 51:5,  Romans 5:12). 

 

Because of this, the human race is in a broken relationship with God, with others and themselves and without hope apart from Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:22, Isaiah 53:6, John 3:36).

 

Marriage is created by God and affirmed by Jesus Christ as the union of one man and one woman within a covenant relationship. Marriage is given to some as a gift of God to reflect the faithful covenant between Christ and his people. Celibate singleness is given to some as a gift of God to promote human flourishing and reflect the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ (Gen. 1:27; Gen. 2;23-24; Mk 10:4-9; 1 Cor. 7:7-9). 


THE GOSPEL

Though we rebelled against our Creator and are separated from life, God graciously chose to pursue us in love. The physical death and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone is effective for the forgiveness of all sin, restoration of a right relationship between God and man, and the renewal of creation (Romans 5:6-8; Col. 1:19-20).

 

This good news is called the “gospel” and has been made possible by an act of grace by God alone and not by good works or morality on the part of humans (Isaiah 53:5, Gal. 2:16). Salvation is received through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross and his bodily resurrection (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:3-6).

 

Repentance from sin (abandoning it) is the natural response to believing Christ’s salvation, and is evidence of saving trust in Christ (Acts 2:38, Acts 26:20, Luke 13:3). 


THE BIBLE

The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, though written by men, is verbally (word for word) inspired by God (2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 3:16) and inerrant in its original writings (Titus 1:2).

 

All the words of the Bible are the final, complete, written, and true revelation of God. The Bible is sufficient to reveal salvation and instruct us in how to live righteously before God and with one another (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Psalm 19:7-14). 

 

The Bible is understood through the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).


THE CHURCH

The church is a local assembly of true believers, of which Jesus Christ is the supreme Head (Hebrews 10:25; Colossians 1:18).  

 

The church is organized to accomplish  the mission of developing  disciples of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20),  who wholeheartedly love Him and sacrificially love their neighbor (Luke 10:27).

 

We believe the ordinances of the Lord's supper and believer's baptism are gifts given to strengthen the faith of believers and unity of the church (Acts 2:42-47, Matt 28:19). 


SECOND COMING

We believe in the literal, visible (Revelation 1:7), personal, and soon return of Jesus Christ for His Church (Revelation 22:12, 1 Thess. 4:14-17) at which time He will transform our bodies, whether dead or alive, into a body suited for heaven (Philippians 3:20, 21).