ABOUT US :: OUR BELIEFS
Our Beliefs
OUR FULL STATEMENT OF FAITH
GOD
We believe in one God, who is creator and sustainer of life, one in essence yet eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; each of whom is equal in power and glory (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16,17, 28:19; I Peter 1:2). God who is spiritual and invisible, reveals His existence through the creation He has made, the written text of Scripture and through the incarnation of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:18, 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12).
THE FATHER
God the Father, the first person of the Trinity transcends human description and natural laws because He is greater than them (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:14, 34:6,7; Job 38-39; John 5:19-23).
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God. As a man, he was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Born without a sin nature and leading a sinless life, Jesus is the only One who is qualified to bear the penalty of sin for all mankind (Isaiah 7:14; John 1:1-14, 5:18; Philippians 2:6-11).
Jesus bore the penalty of all our sins on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24. Jesus died, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven where He is seated at the right hand of God. He currently is our High Priest and Advocate (I Corinthians 15:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 4:14-16).
HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit was sent into the world by the Father and the Son to impart to mankind the saving work of Christ. He convicts the world of sin and judgment and awakens a recognition of our need of a Savior (John 16:7-11). At the moment of salvation, He regenerates, permanently indwells, seals, and baptizes every believer to become the source of assurance, strength and wisdom, and uniquely endows each believer with gifts for building up the Church (Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 12:13; Eph 1:13-14).
The Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying the Scripture. His power and control are appropriated by faith, making it possible for the believer to lead a life of Christlike character and to bear fruit to the glory of the Father (John 16:8-11; Romans 8:16-27; 1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Peter 4:10).
THE BIBLE
The Bible is verbally inspired by God, and inerrant in the original writings. The Bible is the only infallible and authoritative source on spiritual matters (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). We interpret the Bible literally using grammatical-historical methods, which take into account the grammar, context, history, culture, figures of speech and literary forms, to identify the meaning expressed by the author.
THE BEGINNING
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The one true God is the One who created everything. Man was created in the image of God and is uniquely created to have a relationship with God. This sets human life apart from all other forms of life (Genesis 1:1, 26-28; Acts 17:22-28).
WHAT HAPPENED TO MAN
Man, created in the image of God, has the ability to choose, and is held accountable for those choices. Adam disobeyed God and through his sin Adam, along with the entire human race, became separated from God. Man is totally unable by his own effort, to restore his broken relationship with God (Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 3:22-23, 5:12-19; Ephesians 2:1-3,12).
SALVATION
The completed work of Jesus Christ provides the only way for man to be restored to a right relationship with God. God offers the gift of salvation, eternal life, to everyone. Salvation is received by faith, entrusting ourselves and our eternal destiny to the work of Jesus Christ; his death, burial and resurrection (John 1:12; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:21-28; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Ephesians 2:8-9).
CHRISTIAN LIFE
God invites the believer to enter into His work of restoring His creation back to Himself. God has laid before us, a path of good works uniquely designed for us to fulfill. This starts with a heart fully devoted to the Lord and is demonstrated through consistent holy living. As the believer yields to God, he/she will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life (Ephesians 1:3-11; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 2:8-10; Galatians 5:16-26; Romans 11:33-12:8; 1 Peter 1:13-16).
MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY
God created the marriage relationship. It is unique to all other human relationships. One man and one woman are united by God in a lifetime commitment to each other. This unique relationship allows for that couple to fulfill one of God’s creation mandates, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.” Their lifelong relationship provides the environment to raise children in a loving family environment. The gift of sexual intimacy is to be enjoyed only within the relationship of marriage, as defined by God. In every marriage, the reputation of Jesus Christ is represented, because God intends marriage to be a picture of the relationship between Christ and the church (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:23-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:21-33; Proverbs 5:11-20; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5; Hebrews 13:4).
THE CHURCH
The universal Church is the body of which Christ is the head and to which all who are saved belong. It is made visible in local churches, which are congregations of believers who are committed to each other for the worship of God, the preaching of the Word, the administering of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; for pastoral care and discipline, and for evangelism. Local churches are accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, and are led by elders supported by deacons (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:42-47; Acts 9:31; Romans 12:3-13; Ephesians 4:11-16; Titus 1:5; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Hebrews 10:23-25; 13:15-17).
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper have been given to the churches by Christ as visible reminders of the gospel. Baptism by immersion is a symbol of union with Christ but does not impart salvation. The Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice offered once for all and involves no change in the bread and wine. (Acts 8:36-39; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
THE FUTURE
Jesus Christ has promised to return (Acts 1: 11) and ultimately, God will establish a new heavens and new earth which will last forever. There will be a bodily resurrection of all people: the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46; John 5:25-29; Revelation 20:11-15; Daniel 12:1-2).
We believe in Jesus’ imminent return to gather his Church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13-14) and establish His Millennial Kingdom reign over the earth prior to the final judgment. (Jeremiah 33:14-22; Matthew 24:4-31; Revelation 20:1-6).
SATAN
We acknowledge the existence of Satan – created as an angel, though now fallen and the leader of all the demonic powers. He is opposed to God and constantly attempting to disrupt God’s work and damage God’s people. His final destiny is eternal justice in the lake of fire. (1 Peter 5:8; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10)
FAITH AND PRACTICE
We believe that Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. This Church recognizes that it cannot bind the conscience of individual members in areas where Scripture is open to interpretation. Rather, each believer is to be led in those areas by the Lord, to whom he or she alone is ultimately responsible. (Romans 14) We believe this Statement of Faith to be an accurate summary of what Scripture teaches. All members shall refrain from advocating doctrines that are not included in this Statement of Faith in such a way as to cause dissension.
