what we believe

Statement of Faith

ABOUT THE BIBLE
We are a Bible-believing church! The Holy Scriptures were given by inspiration of God and are the divinely authorized record of the doctrines that Christians are bound to accept. They also provide the moral principles to regulate our lives and actions. In them, as interpreted and unfolded by the Holy Spirit, is an ever fresh and unfailing source of spiritual truth for the proper guidance of faith and life. Psalm 12:6, 119:105, 160; 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20- 21

ABOUT GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He is completely holy, just, loving, faithful, and powerful. He is absolute perfection, and is unchangeable. He eternally exists in three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is a mystery, but reveals a unity of perfect love. Genesis 1:1, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; John 17:22-24; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God and co-equal with the Father. Though eternally existent with the Father, He entered the human condition by birth to the virgin Mary. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate victory 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. Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22, 23; Luke 1:30-35; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Philippians 2:5-7; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make us aware of our need for Jesus Christ. He 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. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily. The Holy Spirit also gives spiritual gifts to believers. These are special abilities that enable the believer to work for God’s glory in the building up of the Church, the body of Christ. John 14:16-17, 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13

ABOUT THE HUMAN CONDITION
We are made in the spiritual image of God, and have the capacity to know God, who is spirit. We are the highest object of God’s creation, and dearly loved by Him. Although humankind has tremendous potential for good, we are marred by a disposition of disobedience toward God called “sin” and this separates us from God. Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:6-8; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Isaiah 59:1, 2; Romans 3:23

ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is God’s gift to us. We can never make up for our sins by self-improvement or good works, and salvation is neither earned nor deserved. It is a gift of love received by trusting in Jesus Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. He paid the penalty for our sins; our faith allows us to receive this gift and apply it to the need of our souls, resulting in forgiveness, a life-changing relationship with God, and the hope of eternal life. John 1:12, 14:6; Romans 5:1; Romans 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5

ABOUT ETERNITY
We were created to live forever. Our mortal bodies will die, but our souls will continue either in separation from God or in union with God. As sin separates us from Him, eternal life with God is possible only through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in Heaven. The Bible treats heaven and hell as real places where departed souls dwell throughout eternity. Ecclesiastes 3:11; Matthew 25:31-46; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; 1 John 5:11-12; Revelation 20:15

ABOUT THE CHURCH
The Church is neither a building nor an organization, but imperfect people who experience the grace of God through Jesus Christ and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The Bible calls the Church the Body of Christ. Because of human weakness, there have been many divisions in the Body, resulting in various denominations. God’s desire, however, is for the Church to be truly “one.” This will happen as we submit to Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the Body, and as we learn to love one another as Christ has loved us. Matthew 16:16-19; John 17:11, 21-22; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 10-11, 3:1-11; Ephesians 3:10-11; Colossians 1:18