Our Beliefs
THE TRINITY
There is one God who exists eternally in three distinct persons:
THE FATHER
God the Father is one with the Son and the Holy Spirit, and is the creator of all things. He sent his only son, Jesus, as a sacrifice to fulfill His covenant with Israel and to forgive the sins of humanity. (Gen. 1:1, John 3:16)
THE SON
He is one with the Father and with the Holy Spirit, yet for our redemption He became one of us: simultaneously, fully God and fully human. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, was born of the Virgin Mary, and was without sin. He died to save us, but arose from the dead. He is now ascended to heaven, where He is at the right hand of God, interceding for us. We look for His return in power and majesty to set up a millennial kingdom on earth. In the final days, He will judge the world in righteousness. (Luke 1:30-35, 2 Cor. 5:21, Heb. 10:12-13, Rev. 20)
THE HOLY SPIRIT
He is one with the Father and the Son. He is a Person and is God’s Agent in convicting and convincing sinners of sin. He regenerates believing sinners, and sanctifies consecrated Christians. He magnifies Christ in the lives of believers and energizes them to live victoriously. (Matt. 3:16-17, John 14:26, 1 Thess. 4:3-8)
THE BIBLE
The Bible, though written with human hands, is fully inspired by God. As such, it is without error, His primary means of revelation to us, and serves as our only rule of faith and practice. The Bible contains all we need to know about God, about ourselves, and about life here and in eternity. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
SIN
Sin is the willful disobedience to God’s known law, and the evil corruption of our human nature. So all people, Christ excepted, are sinful by nature and sinners by practice. We are therefore in need of redemption, as the Bible teaches that the wages of sin is death. (Rom. 3:23)
SALVATION
Salvation has been made possible by Christ’s atoning death on the cross of Calvary. By His death and resurrection, Christ has won for us the forgiveness of sins, sanctification, growth in grace, and eventually, immortal bodies and souls. (John 3:16, 1 John 2:1)
DISCIPLESHIP
Though this our journey of discipleship may begin long before our decision to accept Christ as our Savior, discipleship does not end with our salvation. We believe the call of Christ is ultimately a call to discipleship. Followers of Christ are called to live lives of growth in grace and holiness, through love of God and neighbor, study of the Bible, and regular participation in a local community of faith. (Matt. 28:19-20, Matt. 22:36-40, 2 Tim 2:15-17, Heb. 10:25, Phil. 3:14)
THE CHURCH
The Church is more than a denomination and more than all the denominations. It is composed of true believers in Jesus Christ. Christ is the Head and the Husband of the Church. Believers should meet together in local assemblies for the worship of God and for Christian fellowship. The Church has been commissioned by Christ to take the gospel to every creature: it is therefore missional. (Acts 2:42-47, Matt. 28:18-20)
THE SACRAMENTS
We believe that Christ and His apostles ordained two sacraments to be practiced by His Church: water baptism and the Lord’s supper. We insist on no exclusive method or mode of baptism, or of partaking in the Lord’s supper. Let each be fully persuaded in his own mind. These sacraments are both means of grace and outward symbols, teaching of the inner life, the faith, and the hope of believers. (Acts 2:38-39, Luke 22:19-20)
ETERNITY
The Bible teaches that believers shall spend eternity with Christ in Heaven with holy and happy surroundings. It also teaches that the wicked shall be judged and sentenced to an eternity in Hell apart from Him. (John 3:16, Rev. 21:3-8)