Statement of Beliefs
Statement of Beliefs
We Believe These Things:
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22 || Psalm 90:2 || Matthew 28:19 || 1 Peter 1:2 || 2 Corinthians 13:14
About You
You are made in the spiritual image of God to be like Him in character. You are the supreme object of God’s creation and love. Although you have tremendous potential for good, you are marred by an attitude of disobedience towards God called “sin.” This attitude separates you from God until the relationship is restored through a personal commitment to Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1:27 || Psalms 8:3-6 || Isaiah 53:6 || Romans 3:23 || Isaiah 59: 1-2
About Eternity
Humans were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.
John 3:16 || 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13 || Romans 6:23 || Revelation 20:15
About Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God to humanity. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of Forgiveness can we be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23 || Ephesians 2:8-9 || John 14:6; 1:12 || Titus 3:5 || Galatians 3:26 || Romans 5:1
About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through 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 grace and keeping power of God that gives this security.
John 10:29|| 2I Timothy 1:12 || Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14 || 1 Peter 1:3-5
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 people 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. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17 || John 16:7-13; 14:16-17 || Acts 1:8 || 2 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16 || Ephesians 1:13 Galatians 5:25 || Ephesians 5:18
About The Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to all people. 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, it is truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16 || 2 Peter 1:20-21 || 2 Timothy 1:13 || Psalms 119:105, 160; 12:6 || Proverbs 30:5
About Marriage and Family
We believe that God instituted marriage and the family. Marriage is a reflection of the relationship Christ has with the church, it is filled with intimate, sacrificial, communicating love. Scripture teaches that human sexuality is to be expressed only in a monogamous lifelong relationship between one man and one woman within the bonds of marriage. This is the only relationship divinely given for the birth and rearing of children and is a covenant relationship made in the sight of God, taking priority over every other human relationship.
Genesis 1:27; 2:24 || Matthew 19:5 || Romans 1:26-27 || 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
About the Church
We believe that the Church is composed of all those who believe in Jesus Christ, who is the founder and only Head of the Church. It is universal, being made up of true believers of all nations, and it is holy, belonging to God. The Church includes both those believers who have gone to be with the Lord and those who remain on earth, having dedicated themselves to the work of Jesus Christ until He returns. The Church on earth is to preach the pure Word of God, properly administer the sacraments according to Christ's instructions, and live in obedience to all that Christ commands. A local church is a body of believers formally organized on gospel principles, meeting together for the purposes of evangelism, discipleship, stewardship, fellowship, and worship.
God's plan for the financing of the Church and its work is the tithes and offerings of its members.
Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20 || Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28 || Romans 1:7 || 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12 || Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32 || Philippians 1:1 || Colossians 1:18 || 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14 || Hebrews 11:39-40 || 1 Peter 5:1-4 || Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.