THE BIBLE
We believe the Scripture, all 66 books of the combined Old and New Testaments, is verbally inspired by God. We believe that the Bible is inerrant in the original writings, and it is the Christian’s final authority in faith and conduct. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
GOD
We believe that there is only one true, living sovereign, holy, and eternally existent God. God is infinitely perfect and He exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The triune God is the creator and sustainer of all things, the source of all truth, and is worthy of worship, confidence, and obedience. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Genesis 1:31)
THE PERSON AND WORD OF CHRIST
We believe, by the miracle of the virgin birth—that the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. We believe that He became man without ceasing to be God, to reveal God and to redeem mankind from sin. We believe that Christ died for the sins of all people as a substitutionary sacrifice. We believe that He arose bodily from the dead for our justification. Finally, we believe that He is now exalted at the right hand of God as Head of the Church. Christ is Lord of the individual believer, fulfilling His ministry as our Great High Priest and Advocate. (John 1:1-3, 14; Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-9; Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Acts 1:11)
THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that He convicts the world of sin and regenerates the believing sinner, baptizing him into the Church (which is the Body of Christ). We believe that He indwells, guides, instructs, and empowers believers for godly living and service. We believe that God gives all believers at least one spiritual gift so we can use this gift for the strength and outreach of the Church. (John 14:16-19; 16:7-15; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 8:9, 11; Titus 3:5)
SALVATION
We believe that salvation is God’s free gift. Salvation is neither merited nor secured in part or in whole by any human virtue, work, ceremony, or effort. We receive God’s gift only through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, all true believers have—as a present possession—eternal life, perfect righteousness, and sonship in God’s family. Christians also enjoy every spiritual resource needed for life and godliness, and have the divine guarantee that they shall never perish. God has delivered Christians from all condemnation, and we have eternal security in Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
MAN
We believe that God created man in His image. But man sinned, incurring not only physical death, but also spiritual death (separation from God, which all people inherit from Adam). We believe that man is subject to Satan’s power; and that man, within himself, has no means of recovery or salvation. (Genesis 1:17, 31)
THE CHURCH
We believe that the true Church is composed of all who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, through saving faith in Jesus Christ. We also believe that those who are thus members of the true Church are eligible for membership in the local Church. (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Hebrews 10:25)
THE BLESSED HOPE
We believe in the personal, imminent and premillennial coming of our Lord. First, He will come to receive His own to Himself; later, He will set up His earthly kingdom and reign over redeemed Israel. At that time Christ will also reign over all nations, bringing peace and blessing to the world. (Titus 2:13)
THE CHRISTIAN’S WALK
We believe that God calls us—with a holy calling—to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. God wants us to live in the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit, so we will not fulfill the lusts of our physical bodies. We believe that the fallen nature of the flesh cannot be eradicated in this life. Therefore, keeping ourselves constantly in subjection to Christ, we must allow God’s Holy Spirit to live through us in a daily “walk” of faith. Otherwise, the flesh will certainly demonstrate its presence in our lives, to the Lord’s dishonor. It is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to seek and to make growing disciples. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)
THE ETERNAL STATE
We believe that the souls of those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation immediately pass into His presence at death. There they remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of our bodies at Christ’s coming for His Church. Then, with our souls reunited with our glorified bodies, we will live with Him forever in glory in a place called Heaven. We believe that God will punish unbelievers with everlasting separation from His presence, His glory, and His power in a place of torment called Hell. (John 3:16; 2:25; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15)
SATAN
We believe that Satan is a person, a fallen angel, the author of the fall of man, and the god of this age. However, we also believe that he is the Christian’s defeated enemy. His destiny is eternal punishment. (Job 1:6-12; Mark 8:32)
SIN
We believe that Adam, the first man, sinned by disobedience. This act resulted in the fall of all mankind. Therefore, all people have sinned and lost their ability to live for the glory of God. Mankind’s fall has incurred both physical and spiritual death on all until there is forgiveness and salvation by the grace of God. (Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 3:10-23; 5:12-21; 6:23)
THE CHRISTIAN HOME
In addition to these important beliefs, we also believe that God has given the parents the responsibility to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6). We believe that a consistent and whole education will occur when home and Church work closely together and are in agreement on the basic concepts of life.
BAPTISM AND LORD’S SUPPER
Jesus instructed His followers to remember His death and resurrection. He gave the Church two visible symbols (called “ordinances”) as reminders. These two ordinances are baptism and the Lord’s supper. Baptism by immersion is a one-time act of obedience and identification with Jesus as Lord. It serves as an outward sign of conscious confession of repentance and faith. The Lord’s supper is an ongoing symbol remembering our Lord’s death, burial, resurrection, and promised return. Each person must decide whether or not to be baptized or to participate in the Lord’s Supper. Regardless, we do not regard anyone’s participation in these practices as a means of salvation. (Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 26: 26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)