What we believe
I. The Inspired Word
We believe the 66 books of the Bible are the Word of God, fully inspired by Him, without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration and instruction of the Person of the Holy Spirit. The Bible, having ultimate authority in all matters, speaks to every situation in life.
References: II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20,21; Mark 13:31; John 8:31,32; John 20:31; Acts 20:32
References: II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20,21; Mark 13:31; John 8:31,32; John 20:31; Acts 20:32
II. The Trinity
We believe there is only one living and true God who is sovereign over the entire universe, one in essence, who exists in three Persons, who are equal in every way, each having distinct offices but working harmoniously to bring glory to Himself. We believe He is perfect in all His ways.
References: Genesis 1:1, 26; John 1:1, 3; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24; Romans 1:19, 20; Ephesians 4:5, 6
References: Genesis 1:1, 26; John 1:1, 3; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24; Romans 1:19, 20; Ephesians 4:5, 6
III. God the Father
We believe the first Person of the Trinity is God the Father, who is infinite, and desires to have a personal relationship with us. We believe that He perfectly knows and has power over all things that will come to pass, He graciously concerns Himself with the affairs of man, He hears and answers prayer, and He saves from sin and death any and all who come to Him through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
References: Luke 10:21,22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16; 6:27; Romans 1:7; I Timothy 1:1,2; 2:5,6; I Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6
References: Luke 10:21,22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16; 6:27; Romans 1:7; I Timothy 1:1,2; 2:5,6; I Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6
IV. God the Son – Jesus Christ
We believe the second Person of the Trinity is Jesus Christ, the unique Son of God the Father, incarnated through the Holy Spirit. We believe He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, did miracles and signs, and taught truth. We believe His death on the cross was a substitutionary, propitiatory, atoning, and reconciling sacrifice, He was raised from the dead [Section VI], He ascended into heaven, and is perpetually interceding before the throne of God for His people. We also believe He will return to establish His kingdom and reign for eternity.
References: Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1; 20:28; Romans 9:5; 8:46; II Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 2:21-23; John 20:30, 31; Matthew 20:28; Ephesians 1:4; Acts 1:11; 4:10; Romans 5:6-8; 6:9,10; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:28; I Timothy 3:16; Revelation 21:1-3
References: Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1; 20:28; Romans 9:5; 8:46; II Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 2:21-23; John 20:30, 31; Matthew 20:28; Ephesians 1:4; Acts 1:11; 4:10; Romans 5:6-8; 6:9,10; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:28; I Timothy 3:16; Revelation 21:1-3
v. God THE Holy Spirit
We believe the third person of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit, sent to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. We believe the Holy Spirit regenerates, sanctifies, and empowers all who follow Jesus Christ, indwelling every follower of Jesus, and is their helper, teacher, and guide.
References: John 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26, 27; John 16:9-14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Galatians 5:22- 26
References: John 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26, 27; John 16:9-14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Galatians 5:22- 26
VI. The Gospel
We believe God created man in His own image, that man and God were once in perfect community in the Garden of Eden, and that man sinned and therefore brought upon all humankind physical, spiritual, and eternal death, which is separation from God. As a result, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and choose to sin, bringing upon themselves condemnation. We believe those who turn from their vain efforts and trust Jesus Christ alone [Section IV] are regenerated by the Holy Spirit [Section V], becoming new creatures, and are delivered from condemnation, receiving eternal life.
References: Genesis. 1:26; 5:2; Genesis 3; Genesis 2:17; 3:19; Ecclesiastes 2:11; Matthew 11:25-27; Luke 10:21-22; John 3:14; 5:24; John 5:30; 7:13; 8:12; 10:26; Romans 9:22; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 19:3, 20; 20:10; 14, 15; 21:18; Psalm 51:7; Jeremiah 17:9; James 1:14; Romans 3:19; 5:19; Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9; John 3:16; John 1:13; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:1
References: Genesis. 1:26; 5:2; Genesis 3; Genesis 2:17; 3:19; Ecclesiastes 2:11; Matthew 11:25-27; Luke 10:21-22; John 3:14; 5:24; John 5:30; 7:13; 8:12; 10:26; Romans 9:22; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 19:3, 20; 20:10; 14, 15; 21:18; Psalm 51:7; Jeremiah 17:9; James 1:14; Romans 3:19; 5:19; Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9; John 3:16; John 1:13; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:1
VII. THE Church
We believe in the worldwide and timeless church, of which Jesus Christ is the head and all regenerated persons members. We also believe in the local church, consisting of a group of followers of Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work, and fellowship. We believe God has commanded the members of the local church to join together in the mission of the worldwide church to be the primary messengers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world.
References: Ephesians 2:19-22; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:19-21; Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:23-25; Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18, 20
References: Ephesians 2:19-22; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:19-21; Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:23-25; Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18, 20
VIII. THE Christian's Life
We believe a Christian should live for the glory of God, whose conduct should be blameless before the world, who should be a faithful steward of his possessions, and should be continually living as a disciple of Jesus and a disciple-maker for Jesus.
References: 1 Corinthians 10:31; Romans 12:1-3; Hebrews 12:1-2; John 14:15, 23-24; 1 John 2:3-6; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Colossians 1:9-10; Matthew 28:18-20
References: 1 Corinthians 10:31; Romans 12:1-3; Hebrews 12:1-2; John 14:15, 23-24; 1 John 2:3-6; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Colossians 1:9-10; Matthew 28:18-20
IX. THE Ordinances
We believe Jesus Christ has ordained two ordinances to the local church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the immersion of the believer into water in the name of the triune God, symbolizing the believer’s immersion into the death of Jesus Christ. The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ at the Last Supper for the remembrance of His sacrifice on the cross. We believe these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
References: Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-28; 28:18-20; Acts 8:26-39; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:23-26
References: Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-28; 28:18-20; Acts 8:26-39; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:23-26
X. THE Enemy
We believe Satan is the god of this world, who desires to undo every good work God has done, is doing, and will do. We believe Satan roams the earth to steal, kill, and destroy, he goes before the throne of the Father to accuse followers of Jesus Christ, and he will be thrown into the lake of fire for the rest of eternity when Jesus returns to establish His kingdom on earth.
References: 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Peter 5:8; John 10:10; Revelation 12:10; 20:10
References: 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Peter 5:8; John 10:10; Revelation 12:10; 20:10
XI. THe Last Things
We believe Jesus Christ will physically return to earth to establish His kingdom. We believe followers of Jesus Christ will be bodily resurrected from the dead on this day to reign with Him for One Thousand years. At the end of the thousand years, there will be a great and final judgment. Those whose names are found in the book of life will enjoy eternity in the presence of and in perfect community with the triune God, and those whose name is not found in the book of life will endlessly suffer for all of eternity in the lake of fire.
References: Matthew 16:27; Mark 14:62; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Phil. 3:20; I Thessalonians 4:15; II Timothy 4:1; Titus 2:13; I Corinthians 4:5; I Corinthians 15; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 20:4- 6,11-15
References: Matthew 16:27; Mark 14:62; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Phil. 3:20; I Thessalonians 4:15; II Timothy 4:1; Titus 2:13; I Corinthians 4:5; I Corinthians 15; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 20:4- 6,11-15
Statement Last Modified: Mar. 23, 2016
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