OUR BELIEFS

We believe there is one sovereign eternally existing God, (Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Timothy 2:5) in three persons - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; John 6:27; John 10:30;1 Corinthians 3:16); one in nature, attributes, and glory. The three are one God (2 Corinthians 13:14), infinite (Malachi 3:6; Acts 17:24), eternal (Hebrews 1:8), unchangeable (James 1:17), all wise (Romans 11:33), all powerful (Isaiah 40), all knowing (Psalm 147:5), holy (Isaiah 6:3), just (Psalm 9:16), loving (1 John 4:7-21), gracious (Romans 3:23-24; Galatians 3:18), good (Psalm 100:5), and true (Isaiah 45:19).

We believe that Jesus Christ is God (John 10:30; Colossians 1:17; Titus 3:4-5). He is fully God (John 1:1-2,14; John 17:1-5) and fully man (Philippians 2:5-8). He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Galatians 4:4), lived a sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15), performed miracles (Matthew 11:4-5; John 2:11), died as the only sufficient sacrifice for our sins, and was buried (Matthew 20:28; John 1:29; Romans 3:25; 1 Corinthians 15:4; Hebrews 10:5-14; 1 Peter 3:18). He was literally and bodily resurrected (Matthew 28:5-10), appeared to the apostles and other witnesses (1Corinthians 15:5-8), ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9), was glorified (1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 2:9), and now intercedes for believers (Romans 8:34).

We believe that the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4). He convicts people of sin (John 16:8- 11) and restrains the extent of sin in the world (Genesis 6:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:7). He opens the hearts and minds of people (Romans 8:16; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14) to turn from sin (2 Corinthians 3:2-3; Romans 8:1-14), believe in the Son (1 Thessalonians 1:2-5), and be born again (John 3:3-7).

At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit indwells every believer forever (John 14:16; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30). He fills believers with His power (Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:16), enables them to live in obedience to the will of God (Galatians 5:16-26), teaches them (1 Corinthians 2:13-15; 1 John 2:27), and gives them His gifts “to each one individually just as He wills,” to serve the church (1 Corinthians 12:7,11; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Peter 4:10; Ephesians 4:11).

The Holy Spirit gives gifts to believers for the “common good” and to reach the world with the gospel (1 Corinthians 12:4-7; 1 Peter 4:10). Spiritual gifts are used in a proper and orderly manner (1 Corinthians 14:40), in love (1 Corinthians 14:1), and without causing division (1 Corinthians 12:25). Spiritual gifts are not an indication of spiritual maturity and they should not be used for self-promotion (1 Corinthians 12:11-12).

We believe that sign gifts (apostle, prophet, healing, miracles, and tongues) authenticated the ministry and message of the apostles (Ephesians 2:20; Hebrews 2:1-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12) and served in the establishment of the church (Acts 2:41-47; 9:31-42). We believe that God continues to demonstrate His miraculous power and ability in many ways, but the sign gifts, as given to the early church, are not in effect today.

We believe the 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament are God’s authoritative revelation to mankind (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Galatians 1:12). God moved human authors so that the original texts (the “autographs”) are the very word of God (2 Peter 1:20-21) without error (John 17:17). The Bible is the supreme and final authority (Psalm 19:7-11; 119; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 4:12).

We believe that Christ established His church and He is the Head of His church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). The church includes believers from its beginning at Pentecost until the return of Christ (Acts 2; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the church carries out Christ’s work in the world (John 15:26; Acts 1:8). The purpose of the church is to worship, praise, and glorify God, to proclaim the gospel of Christ Jesus to the world, and to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). The church is to teach His Word (Colossians 1:24-28; 1 Timothy 4:11); to seek Him through earnest prayer (Acts 2:42); to equip the saints to walk, serve, and fellowship in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:42-46; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 14:26); and to keep His ordinances (1 Corinthians 11:24,25; Matthew 28:19).

We believe that the Lord gave two ordinances to the church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is for believers and is a public statement of faith in Christ and obedience to His command to be baptized (Matthew 28:19). Baptism identifies the believer as a follower of Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:13-17) and is best represented by immersion in water (Acts 8:36-39). The Lord’s Supper is open to all believers in remembrance of our Lord’s life, death, burial, and resurrection until He returns (Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28).

We believe that the church is expressed in local congregations of believers established under the headship of Christ and the authority of Bible (Galatians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Revelation 1:11). Individual congregations are governed by elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7), men who meet biblical standards, who are responsible to guard the purity of church doctrine (Titus 1:9), to shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:1-3), and to oversee the church (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17). Deacons can be established to assist the elders in the work of the ministry (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13).

We believe that God created Adam and Eve, the first humans, without sin and in perfect fellowship with Him (Genesis 1:26-28, 31; 2:18-24; James 3:9). They chose to sin, to disobey God, and incurred His judgment. The consequences of their sin (the “fall”) separated them from Him and brought suffering and death upon themselves, their descendants, and the whole creation (Genesis 3; Psalm 14:1-3; 51:5; Romans 8:20-22).

Mankind’s continued unbridled wickedness brought further judgment which destroyed the earth in a world-wide flood (Genesis 6-8; 2 Peter 2:4-5). After the flood, mankind’s continued rebellion at Babel brought God’s judgment in confusing their language and scattering them over the earth (Genesis 11:1-9; Luke 1:51).

All mankind inherited Adam’s sin nature (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12), are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1), and are all sinners (Romans 3:10,23; 5:12). Consequently, no one can reconcile themselves to God (Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 8:8).

We believe that salvation is a free gift from God (Romans 6:23) through faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone, unaided by human effort (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7). The death of Christ is full payment for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3; Hebrews 9:11-15; 1 Peter 1:18-21) and satisfies the just requirement of God (Romans 3:23-26; Hebrews 10:1-10). Believers are made alive by God (1 Corinthians 15:22; Ephesians 2:4-7; 1 Peter 3:18), are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6), but are now children of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 3:26), set apart to a life of spiritual growth, ministry, love, and good works (Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 1:10-14; 3:12-17; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:2). We have forgiveness for every sin (Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9) and rest secure in the reality of eternal life (John 5:24; 6:39-40; 10:27-30; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 5:9-13).