The Bible:

​

We believe that the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments that comprise the Bible are the inspired, inerrant and infallible Word of God. We believe that the Holy Spirit supervised the writers of the Bible in what they wrote so that, using their own unique personalities, the very words recorded in the original manuscripts are the direct revelation of God. We believe the Bible not only contains the Word of God but actually is God’s Word and, therefore, is the complete and final authority for belief and behavior. As such, it can be completely trusted. We believe that inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility extend equally and fully to all parts of Scripture: historically, poetically, doctrinally and prophetically (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:21, 1 Cor. 2:13, John 17:17).

 

God:

​

We believe that there is one and only one true and living God, an infinite Spirit who is the Maker and Supreme Ruler of the universe. We believe the Bible reveals Him to be holy, sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, eternal, immutable and full of love, justice, goodness, mercy and truth. This is only a representative list of His eternal and unchanging attributes. Although there is only one God, He exists eternally in three persons as the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe these members of the Trinity are coequal in essence, having precisely the same nature, attributes and perfections, but are distinct in subsistence, executing different but harmonious functions (Mark 12:29, John 4:24, Matt. 3:16-17, Matt. 28:19, 2 Cor. 13:14).

 

Jesus Christ:

​

We believe that Jesus Christ has existed eternally as the Son of God and is the head of the Church. At a specific point in time, Jesus became a man (the incarnation) in order to reveal God and redeem humanity. We believe He was supernaturally conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, Mary. In His incarnation, He forever possesses both full deity and full humanity in such a way that the properties of each nature are fully retained and undiminished by the union. We believe Jesus died on the cross as a substitute for sinful humanity, was buried, rose bodily from the tomb, ascended into Heaven where He ministers on the behalf of those who have trusted in Him, and someday will come again for His own (John 1:18, 8:58, Matt. 1:23, Col. 1:15-17, 1 Tim. 1:15, 3:16).
 

Holy Spirit:

​

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, fully coequal with God the Father and God the Son in terms of divine being, but distinct from the Father and the Son in His personhood. We believe the Holy Spirit actively ministers to the world today. This ministry includes restraining evil, convicting the unsaved of sin and bestowing God’s goodness, including miracles, on mankind. We also believe the Holy Spirit actively ministers to every believer in Jesus Christ in numerous ways: regenerating, sealing, indwelling, baptizing into the Body of Christ, and the giving of spiritual gifts. Other ministries to believers include filling, assuring, teaching, guiding and comforting (2 Thess. 2:3-9, Acts 5:3-4, John 14:12-17, 16:7-11, Tit. 3:5, Eph. 1:13, 1 Cor. 6:19, 12:4-13, 1 Cor. 14, Eph. 5:18, Rom. 8:16, John 16:13).

 

Creation:

​

We believe that God, according to His sovereign will and for His own glory, created the heavens and the earth without the use of pre-existent material. We also believe that all living things came into being by the creative act of God and not by a random process. Creation has an existence distinct from Him and yet is always dependent on Him (Gen. 2:4, Prov. 16:4, Acts 17:24, Col. 1:16-17).

 

Humanity:

​

We believe that humanity, both male and female, was created in the image and likeness of God. Having been made in God’s image, each human life, from conception to natural death, is precious to God. Each human is deserving of equal dignity, value, and worth. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God fully and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. This command has no qualification and extends to each person regardless of their culture, ethnicity, or socio-economic status (Gen. 1:26-27, Deut. 10:17-19, Psalm 139:13-16, Luke 10:25-37, Acts 17:26, Gal. 3:28, James 2:1-13, Rev. 5:9-10, 7:9).

 

Marriage and Family:

​

We define marriage as the exclusive, comprehensive, and “one flesh” union of one man and one woman, intrinsically ordered for the revelation of God, for the joy of man and woman, and for procreation and biological family, and in furtherance of the moral, spiritual, and public good of binding father, mother, and child. (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18-24; Matthew 19:4-9; Mark 10:5-9; Ephesians 5:31-33)
 

Sin:

​

We believe, though created in a state of innocence, humanity fell from its sinless state and became subject to physical and spiritual death. Sin is anything contrary to the character of God. Every person is alienated from God because of their depraved nature and personal acts of sin. Therefore, everyone is separated from God and completely incapable of meriting salvation and avoiding the judgment of God. Our sinful nature is never eradicated, even for those who have trusted in Christ alone for salvation. It remains until the end of life on earth. However, we believe God has made provision for forgiveness of sin through the blood of Jesus Christ and victory over sin through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom. 3:10, 23, 5:12, 6:23, Gal. 5:16-17, 1 John 1:8-10).

 

Salvation:

​

We believe that salvation from the penalty and power of sin is available through faith in Jesus Christ alone. This salvation was made possible through the blood of Jesus Christ which He shed on the cross. It is through this act that He became sin for us and died in our place. There is nothing a person can do to earn this salvation (including good works, moral achievement or religious status). The one and only condition for salvation is personal faith in Jesus Christ as one’s own substitute for sin and savior from sin. At the time of salvation, a person is spiritually regenerated, sins are forgiven, God’s righteousness is imputed, and he/she is declared righteous in the sight of God. This salvation is complete and a present possession of all believers which remains his/hers forever. All who have trusted Christ as Savior are kept secure and will never lose their salvation (1 Pet. 1:18-19, 2 Cor. 5:21, 1 Pet. 2:24, Eph 2:8-9, Tit. 3:5, Rom. 5:1, Rom. 8:38-39).

 

The Church:

​

We believe that the Church is a unique organism composed of people from every tribe, language, people, and nation who have placed their faith in Christ alone as Savior. The Church began on the day of Pentecost and will continue its distinct purpose until Christ’s return. We believe that the Church exists in both a universal aspect, as the Body of Christ, and in a local assembly of believers in Jesus Christ. The local church has the twofold purpose of the edification of believers and the evangelization of the unsaved. We practice water baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper, which we believe to be a memorial of Christ’s death. Both are open to all believers. (Matt. 28:19-20, Acts 2:1-4, 42-47, 1 Cor. 11:23-28, 1 Cor. 12:13, Eph. 4:7, 1 Thess. 4:13-17, Heb. 13:17, Rev. 5:9-10, 7:9).