What We Believe
Holy Bible
The Holy Bible is the authoritative Word of God. It is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired by the Holy Spirit and inerrant (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25-26)
Trinity
There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These are co-equal and co-eternal (1 John 5:7; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 3:7-11)
Father
God is our Father not only in that He is our Creator but that He is also our Redeemer. Redemption through Christ allows Christ followers to relate to God as Father. The Son came into the world to do the Father’s will. We relate to God as Father sharing in Christ’s sonship through adoption we receive in Christ.
Son
Jesus Christ is God the Son, the 2nd person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind to atone for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory.
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the 3rd person of the Trinity. He brings conviction and revelation of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit indwells believers and bestows gifts and abilities for ministry to each believer.
Salvation
We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ—His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human efforts (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22)
The Church
The church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Holy Spirit, with the purpose of fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission. Every born-again person is a member of Christ’s body, the church. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one body, one church. The church united is expressed and connected through local congregations.
Two Sacraments
Water Baptism: Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by Jesus Christ to be baptized in water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38, 10:47-48)
Communion: A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements (bread and wine) become the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, as we enter into a sacred time of union with God (Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25)
Resurrection
Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days ager His death on the cross. Christ followers will receive glorified bodies at the Second Coming of Jesus to the earth. (Luke 24:16, 36, 39, John 2:19-21, 20:26-28, 21:4; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:42, 44: Philippians 1:21-23, 3:21)
Second Coming
Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by Scripture (Matthew 24:30, 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7)
