What We Believe

The Bible

We believe that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God” and is without error. It is accurate in all matters to which it speaks - spiritual, historical and scientific.  The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the foundation of our faith and practice. (Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; II Timothy 3:15-17; II Peter 1:21).

The Godhead

We believe in one God, the living and true God, existing eternally in three Persons – The Trinity: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – three co-equal and co-eternal.  They have distinct personalities and yet are of the same substance, one God. (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24; II Corinthians 13:14)

God, The Father

God the Father, our Creator is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, eternal and immutable - full of love, goodness, mercy, judgment and truth.  (Ephesians 4:6; I Corinthians 8:6; John 3:16; I Timothy 2:5; I John 4:8).  He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior (John 5:17-18; Galatians 4:4-7).

Jesus Christ, The Son

Jesus Christ is both the eternal Son of God and virgin-born Son of man.   He surrendered nothing of His deity during His life on this earth.  Having led a sinless life, we believe He died on the cross and shed His precious blood as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men everywhere.  He was buried, and on the third day He arose from the dead, and is alive. His bodily resurrection from the dead, guaranteed redemption and salvation to all who believe.  He later ascended into heaven and is now at the right hand of God the Father awaiting His return to reign. (Matthew 1:20; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1, 14, 18; Luke 1:35; Romans 3:24-26; 4:25; Ephesians 1:20-21; Philippians 2:9-10; Colossians 1:17-19; 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 9:24; 12:2; I John 2:1-2)

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is one with the Father and Son in the Godhead.  His work is to glorify God in Christ through convicting men of sin and regenerating those who believe on Him.  He indwells, regenerates, fills, baptizes and seals all believers unto the day of redemption. We believe He is the comforter and guide between us and God. (John 3:6; 14:16; 16:8-11; Acts 8:29; Romans 8:14; Ephesians 1:13)

Spiritual Gifts

We believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to the church for the common good of all believers.  Since each gift is given according to God’s sovereign will and discretion, the possession of any gift is of grace and does not constitute spiritual maturity.  The proper use of the gifts given are for the edification of the body, to promote united worship of God to the glory of Jesus Christ, and to continually facilitate the growth of each member of the body into maturity in Christ.  (John 16:14; Acts 4:8, 31; Romans 8:23; 12:1-21; I Corinthians 12:11-13; Ephesians 4:7-16)

The Church

The church is the bride of Christ and it is the body of which Christ is the head.  It is made up of all who have believed in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  The twofold purpose of the church is to lead men to Christ and to mature them in the faith. (Matthew 16:18; I Corinthians 12:14; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18; Revelation 19:7-8)

The Ordinances

There are two ordinances: Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  Water Baptism is for believers in Christ and is by immersion.  The Lord’s Supper is both symbolic and commemorative; it is celebrated in remembrance of Christ’s death on the cross. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:36-39; I Corinthians 11:23-29)

Satan

We believe in the existence of Satan, the Christian’s adversary – “the god of this world”, author of all the powers of darkness and sin, who is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire.  (Matthew 4:1-3; II Corinthians 4:4; II Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 20:10)

Man

We believe that man was created in the image of God but, through his own choice, fell at the temptation of Satan, thus separating himself and the rest of the human race from God.  Every person is born into this world with a sinful nature and is spiritually dead.  Man can only obtain spiritual life and salvation through the Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  (Genesis 1:26; 3:1-6; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; John 3:16;14:6; Acts 16:31)

Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God in grace and is received by man only through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ whose precious blood was shed on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins without any consideration of works or merit on the part of man. All who have received Jesus Christ by faith have been regenerated by and baptized in the Holy Spirit.  They are now the children of God forever and members of the one true church, the Body of Christ.  (John 1:12; 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7; Acts 4:12; Hebrews 10:10-12)

Eternal Security

The salvation of every believer is secure for all eternity from the moment of his or her new birth.  The security is guaranteed by the fact that the life that is imparted is eternal life by the sealing ministry of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:38-39; John 10:27-30; Ephesians 1:13-14, II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; I Peter 1:3-5)

The Future

We believe that the next great event of human history will be the personal return of Jesus Christ.  This is the BLESSED HOPE for which all those who Love Jesus Christ desire.  Though the time of Christ’s return is a mystery known only to God the Father, we believe that it is as sure as Jesus’ first coming was a fact.  We believe in the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting in the presence of God for those who believe.  (Matthew 24:36; John 14:1-3; Titus 2:13; I Thessalonians 4:15-17; 5:2-10)