We believe there is only one true God, eternally existing in three persons – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God created everything from nothing, and He sustains all He has created (Genesis 1:1-2:25; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
We believe God has revealed Himself and His will to us in the Bible. The Scriptures, as originally delivered, are without error and are the final authority for our life and doctrine. (2 Timothy 3:15-16; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
We believe God created Adam and Eve in His image and without sin, but they disobeyed Him when tempted by Satan (Genesis 1:26-3:19; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22). In union with Adam, all human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God and under His wrath (Romans 1:18-32, 5:12-14; Colossians 3:6). Only through the saving work of Jesus can we be reconciled to God (John 3:16, 14:6; Acts 4:12; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21).
We believe Jesus, as Israel’s promised Messiah (Christ), was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:27-35), the only begotten Son of God (John 1:18, 3:16, 18). While on earth, Jesus was God Incarnate, both fully God the Son and fully Son of Man (John 1:1-5, 14;Philippians 2:6). He performed many miracles and lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5). He was crucified as the perfect and complete sacrifice for our sins (Mark 10:45). He arose bodily from the dead, demonstrating His victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). He ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of God the Father, serving as our mediator until He returns to earth at the end of this age (Colossians 3:1; 1 Timothy 2:5; Matthew 28:20, Acts 1:11).
We believe the Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son. He makes people aware of their need for Jesus (John 16:8-11) and indwells and empowers the believer (1 John 4:13). His presence in us is a seal and guarantee that we are God’s children (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). He gives believers spiritual gifts to be used to help others, especially in building up the fellowship of believers in the local church (1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Romans 12:4-8).
We believe the church is the Body of Christ on earth (Acts 9:1-5; Colossians 1:24), empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue the task of reaching the lost, discipling the saved, and becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20).
We believe our salvation is a gift from God (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 5:8-9). Jesus shed His blood on the cross as payment for our sins. His atoning sacrifice is the only basis for our salvation (Acts 4:12), not human effort. His resurrection is confirmation of the sufficiency of this payment for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:17). All have sinned, but all can be saved through their union with Jesus. This salvation is available for anyone who puts their faith in Jesus as their Savior. (Romans 3:23, 6:23; John 3:16). Those trusting in Jesus are told to repent of their sin, confess their faith in Him, and be baptized (Romans 10:9; Acts 2:38).
We believe the grace of God that justifies us must not be separated from God’s desire for us to live in a manner that glorifies Him (Romans 6:1-2). Grace prompts us to say“no” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives (Titus 2:11-12). We do not do this through our own power and strength, but with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us (Romans 8:5-9).
We believe prayer is one way we develop our relationship with God and partner with Him in the work of His kingdom on earth (Matthew 6:10; 1 Timothy 2:1-3). Prayer cannot be separated from our trust in God to give us what is best (Hebrews 11:6) or our commitment to live according to His commands (1 John 3:21-22; 1 Peter 3:7).
Marriage was created by God, who established it as a union between one man and one woman for life (Genesis 2:18-24; Matthew 19:3-6) and the only relationship He sanctions for engaging in sexual relations. A marriage marked by love and respect is a testimony to the relationship Christians have with Jesus (Ephesians 5:22-33) and that Jesus has with His church. Children are human from the moment of conception (Psalm 139:13-14; Jeremiah 1:5). They are to be cared for, valued and blessed as demonstrated by Jesus (Mark 10:13-16).
We believe Jesus will one day return to earth (Acts 1:11). When He returns, everyone will be judged. Believers will be welcomed into God’s presence for eternity in heaven.Unbelievers will be eternally separated from God in hell (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).