Statement of Faith

Scripture

We believe the Bible is the Word of God, and therefore, our supreme authority. The Old and New Testaments, inerrant in their original manuscripts, were written by humans under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. They are the complete revelation of God’s will for the salvation of men, as well as our source of authority, instruction, encouragement and conviction. We do not accept any other testament, documents, or revelations claiming similarly divine inspiration. We consider any such claims to be false and heretical (Matt. 5:17-20; Jn. 10:35; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21).

One God

We believe in one God who is infinitely perfect, unchanging, all-knowing, all-powerful, wholly sovereign, and present everywhere. He exists eternally in three persons: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:1-2; Deut. 6:4; Mt. 28:19; 1 Jn. 1:1-2, 5:7).

The Father

God the Father, our Creator and Redeemer, is mercifully and sovereignly involved in his creation. Recognizing, praising, and living for his glory is the ultimate purpose of our lives (Ps. 86:12; 104:24, 147:5; Is. 63:16-17, 64:8-9; Mt. 5:16, 48).

The Son

We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, who has existed eternally with the Father and the Spirit, and is the Father’s only begotten Son. Christ is fully God and fully man. We believe in his virgin birth, in his sinless life, in his atoning death on the cross, in his resurrection from the dead, and in his ascension into heaven where he sits at the right hand of the Father, and in his eventual return to earth in power and glory (Matt. 1:22-23; Luke 1:34-35; Jn. 1:1-18, 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Col. 2:9; Heb. 1:1-3; 1 Jn. 3:5).

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit was sent to fully indwell, renew, guide, teach, and empower believers. He was sent to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, giving hope that many who deny Christ will repent of their sins and believe in him (Jn. 16:5-11, 16-26; Acts 1:8, 15:16; Eph. 1:13,14; Tit. 3:5).

Mankind & the Fall

Man (male and female) was created in the image of God and were originally in perfect relationship with him. However, this relationship was broken when man sinned against God, resulting in the physical and spiritual death of humanity. We believe we are all born with a sin nature and can only be saved through the atoning work of Jesus Christ (Gen. 1:26-27; 3; Jn.14:6; Acts 4:12; Rom. 1:18-3:20).

Salvation

Salvation from sin and restoration of our relationship with God is available only through the work of Christ on the cross. Those who repent of their sins, believe in Christ, and accept him as their personal Lord and Savior, are born again of the Holy Spirit, receive the gift of eternal life in heaven, become children of God, and are empowered to live a life of obedience (Acts 2:38; Rom. 3:21-26, 10:9-10; 1 Pet. 1:3-5).

The Universal Church

The universal church consists of all those who believe in Jesus Christ. Christ is the head of the body–the church–which he has commissioned to go into all the world as his witness, preaching the gospel message of salvation to all nations (Matt. 28:18-20; Rom. 1:4; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:22-23).

The Local Church

The local church is a body of believers in Christ joined together for the local worship of God, edification through his Word, prayer, fellowship, proclamation of the gospel, and observance of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:17-20; Acts 2:42-47, 10:47-48; 1 Cor. 11:23-32).

Christ’s Return

The second coming of Jesus Christ, in which he will establish his kingdom on earth, is imminent and will be personal and visible. This is the believer’s blessed hope, and as a vital truth, is an incentive for holy living and faithful service (Acts 1:9-11; Tit. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:13; 2 Pet. 3:11).

Resurrection & Judgment

There shall be a bodily resurrection of the dead, both the just and the unjust. For the former, there will be a resurrection unto life, for the latter, a resurrection unto judgment (Matt. 25:31-46; Heb. 9:27).

Marriage & Sexual Conduct

Marriage is a sacred institution designed by God to be the life-long union of one man and one woman. Only within the context of such a marriage does sexual intimacy have God’s blessing. Abstinence outside of marriage and faithfulness within it are the only alternatives that reflect Scripture’s commandments. As our bodies are no longer our own, but belong to God, we are to flee from sexual immorality and sinful desires, seeking purity, righteousness, faith, and love (Gen. 2:18-24; Mark 10:2-9; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Thess. 4:3-8; Tim. 2:22, Heb. 13:4).