THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

We believe the Bible as Holy Scriptures of both the Old and New Testament are the verbally inspired Word of God, absolutely without error in the original documents. We also believe that the Scriptures are the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21). Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.

THE TRINITY

We believe there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three equal persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Though these possess the same divine nature and attributes, they are distinct in office and activity (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

GOD THE FATHER

We believe that God the Father is Father over all creation, Father of the nation Israel, Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, and Father of believers in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26; Exodus 4:22; Matthew 3:17).

We believe that God the Father orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace (Psalm 145:8-9; 1 Corinthians 8:6). As the absolute and highest ruler in the universe, He has supreme power over all things—creation, providence, and redemption (Job 1:6; Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:33). He has graciously chosen from all eternity those whom He would have as his own (Ephesians 1:3-6) and He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (Psalm 145:8-9; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:33; Ephesians 1:3-6; John 1:12,18).

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became a man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man.

We believe that Christ accomplished our redemption through a sinless life, death on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins in obedience to the Father's will, and that His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.

We believe that our redemption and salvation are guaranteed to us by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Luke 1:35; John 1:1,14,18; Romans 3:24-26, 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:50-55; Ephesians 1:20-21).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is now in heaven, exalted at the right hand of God, where as High Priest He fulfills the ministry of intercession and advocacy for His people. (Philippians 2:9-10; Colossians 1:17-19; Hebrews 1:3, 3:1, 7:23-25, 9:24, 12:2; 1 John 2:1-2).

THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, eternal, possessing all the divine attributes, and that in these He is co–equal with God the Father and God the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

We believe that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential for the salvation of the lost, that He permanently indwells and enables every believer at salvation, unites all believers into one body in Christ, and strengthens and guides believers into acceptable worship and service (John 14:16-17, 26, 16:7-15; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 2:22; Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 3:16-17; Ephesians 4:3).

We believe that the Holy Spirit restrains evil in the world; convicts the world with respect to sin, righteousness, and judgment; seals believers unto the Day of Redemption and bestows spiritual gifts (2 Thessalonians 2:7; John 16:7-11; Ephesians 4:30; Romans 8:9; Romans 12:4-8).

THE HUMAN CONDITION

We believe that all things in heaven and earth were created by God and exist by His power (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16-17).

We believe that man was originally created innocent and in the image and likeness of God but that he sinned, bringing both physical and spiritual death upon himself and his descendants. Additionally, man has inherited a sinful nature, is alienated from God, and is in need of salvation (Genesis 1:27, 2:17, 3:19; Ephesians 2:1-3).

We believe that sin is a transgression against God’s character and commands, a commitment to self-centeredness, an over-riding concern for one’s own desires. Because of sin, the sinner has missed the mark of God’s righteousness, he is opposed to God, and helpless to save himself.

The sinner is responsible for his ruined condition and before God deserves judgment. Ultimately, that judgment results in death which is eternal separation from God (Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:10-20; Revelation 21:8).

SALVATION

We believe that God, in His mercy, has provided a way of rescue for sinful mankind—forgiveness of sins, deliverance from His judgment, and a return to a right relationship with Him to enjoy the full benefits of His grace both in this life and forever in His presence (Ezekiel 36:24–27; John 1:12, 3:3–8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:7).

This He accomplished through the atoning death of Jesus on the cross to pay the penalty of our transgression against Him, and through His resurrection which provides eternal life for those who freely receive this gift of grace, acknowledging that there is no other means of redemption and salvation (John 5:24; Romans 3:21–26; Hebrews 2:17; Ephesians 2:8–9).

THE CHURCH

We believe that the Church is a spiritual organism, the Body and Bride of Christ, made up of all who have been justified by God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone. The Church began on the Day of Pentecost and by the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit, believers are united and placed into the Body of Christ, of which Jesus is the Head. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25-27).

We believe that the local church is an assembly of believers in Jesus Christ, who voluntarily join together to glorify God by worshiping together, studying the Word of God, correcting one another in love, observing the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, fellowshipping together, by being equipped for Christian service, and spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth, with a common spiritual goal to grow into Christ’s likeness (Acts 2:42-47; Romans 8:29-30; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; Ephesians 4:11-13). Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are not the means of salvation. However, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.

We believe that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to every believer which should be exercised to strengthen the body of Christ. All believers should seek to walk by the Spirit, separating themselves from worldly practices and it is the obligation of every believer to witness, by life and by word, to the truths of the Holy Scriptures and to proclaim the gospel to all the world. (Acts 1:8; Romans 12:1–2, 14:13; 1 Corinthians 12:14, 16:2; 2 Corinthians 6:14, 7:1, 9:7; Ephesians 4:11–16).

ETERNAL SECURITY

We believe that all believers are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. This security is guaranteed by the eternal life imparted by God the Father through His Son and by the sealing ministry of the Holy Spirit, which is a finished, unchangeable work (John 5:24, 6:37–47, 10:27–30; Romans 8:38–39; Ephesians 1:13–14; 1 Peter 1:5).

CHRIST’S RETURN

We believe in the personal, imminent, and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, of the believer to everlasting glory and the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment (I Thessalonians 4:13–18; I Corinthians 15:51,52; Titus 2:11–13; John 14:1–6; Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:11–15; II Peter 3:10).