Doctrinal Beliefs
IN ESSENTIAL BELIEFS - We believe the church must have unity Ephesians 4:4-6 IN NON-ESSENTIAL BELIEFS - We believe the church must have liberty Romans 14:1,4,12,22 IN ALL OF OUR BELIEFS - We believe the church must show love 1 Corinthians 13:2
GOD: We believe that God is the Creator and Ruler of the Universe. He has eternally existed in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. We believe that Jesus Christ is the second member of the Trinity (the Son of God) who became flesh to reveal God to man and to become the Savior of those separated from God by sin. Genesis 1:1,26-27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14
MAN: We believe that man was created in the image of God to have fellowship with Him, but became alienated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, man is incapable of regaining a right relationship with God through his own effort. Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2
ETERNITY: We believe every man will either exist eternally separate from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is to experience conscious and unending torment in Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is to experience joyful life in His presence. Heaven and Hell are literal places of eternal existence. John 3:16; 1 John 2:25, 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15
JESUS CHRIST: We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was miraculously born of a virgin taking on human flesh. He lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords. Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13
SALVATION: We believe that salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. I believe that salvation occurs only when people place their complete trust in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (shed blood, death, resurrection) as the payment for their sins, and surrender their lives to His control. Eternal life begins the moment one has placed their faith (complete trust) in Christ as the Savior and Lord of their life. Romans 3:23-24, 5:1, 6:23, 10:9-10 &13; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26
ETERNAL SECURITY: We believe that because God gives man eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. John 3:16; 5:24; 10:29 2 Timothy 1:12 Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14 1 Peter 1:3-5
THE HOLY SPIRIT: We believe that the Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. Christians are to seek to live under His control daily. 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17 Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25
THE BIBLE: We believe the Bible is God's Word to all men. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God (God-breathed), it is truth without any mixture of error. 2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105,160; Proverbs 30:5
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE: We believe that every Christian should live for Christ and not for himself. By obedience to the Word of God and daily yielding to the Spirit of God, every believer should mature and become more like Jesus Christ. This would include being baptized following salvation as an act of obedience (not for securing salvation), and regularly participating at the Lord's Table in a local church (Communion). Acts 2:41, 19:4-5 Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 8:28-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32; Ephesians 4:13-15; Colossians 4:12b; 2 Peter 3:18
