STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Holy Scriptures
The Godhead
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament in every word to be the complete, God-breathed (inspired) Word of God without error in its original manuscripts (inerrant and infallible); and are therefore the final authority for Christian life and faith. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man and shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Matthew 4:4, 5:18; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Ephesians 3:2-5)
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each eternal in being, identical in nature, equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:10,26)
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
The Person and Work of Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2,14; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-8) He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where at the right hand of God the Father, He is now our High Priest and Advocate. (Acts 2:18-36; Romans 3:24-25; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5, Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 9:24; 7:25; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2)
Universality of Mankind's Sin
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam's sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and, that man is morally corrupt, and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. The results of sin are manifested in physical death (bodily degeneration) and spiritual death (alienation from God). (Genesis 1:26-27, 3:1-24; Romans 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:17-19; 1 John 1:8)
We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and during this age to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service. (John 16:8-11; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Eph 1:13-14)
We believe that He is the Divine teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that He indwells all who confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. (Ephesians 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 John 2:20,27).
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry. We acknowledge that some spiritual gifts, such as tongues, are viewed differently by various churches and individuals. It is our practice not to encourage the use of such gifts in any public forum associated with this church. It is not our desire to judge any church or individual, based upon the use or non-use of such gifts, but rather, to provide a consistent, unified, and orderly arena for worship throughout our body.(Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12 4-11, 28; Ephesians 4:7-12)
Ordinances
Salvation
We believe that Christ's sacrifice of His life for ours ("substitutionary" sacrifice), satisfies God's holy anger against sin and provides intercession before the Father on our behalf. As children of God, we therefore experience a restored relationship with God (salvation) because of His unconditional love for us (grace) whereby God has declared us innocent (justification) so that we might become more like him (sanctification) until glory (glorification). We believe that only those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are born of the Holy Spirit, and thus become children of God. (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 7:25; Romans 10:9-11)
Second Coming of Jesus Christ
We believe in the personal, bodily, and imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this event has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. (Matthew 24:30-31; Titus 2:11-14; Philippians 1:6,10; 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17, 5:1-3)
Resurrection of the Dead
We believe that water baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances (remembrances in symbols) to be observed by the church during the present age. The Lord's Supper is a memorial in symbols helping us remember the death of Christ. Baptism is an identification symbol demonstrating a desire to be recognized as a follower of Jesus Christ. These symbols are not to be regarded as means of salvation. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 18:18; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
The Church
We believe that the universal Church of Jesus Christ is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ of which He is the Head. (John 14:6; Colossians 1:18; Romans 12:4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:25, 5:30)
We believe that only those who are thus members of the universal Church of Jesus Christ, as evidenced by a personal relationship with Jesus, shall be eligible for membership in the local church.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church, and that every local church has the right under Christ to decide and govern its own affairs. (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18)
Stewardship
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment. (John 11:25; Matthew 22:30-32; Luke 23:43; Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:12-57)
Missions
We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all people so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to bring the gospel first to our own community, then our region, country, and finally to the foreign nations. (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:20
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God's wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support their local church financially. We believe that God has established the principle of regular, consistent giving based upon a percentage of our income. This giving principle is regarded by God as a basis for giving, but every Christian should consider giving other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to support the ministry, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. (Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17; Malachi 3:10)
