The Bible

We believe the Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, we believe it alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing it is inspired, infallible, inerrant, and completely relevant to our daily lives. 

Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; James 5:14-16; I Corinthians 12:9, 28; Romans 11:29

Trinity

We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and coeternal. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.

I John 5:7; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 3:7-11

The Father

We believe God is great: He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, Holy. It is in Him that we live, move, and exist. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.

Exodus 3:14; Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2;; Malachi 3:6; John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:1; Acts 17:28; Romans 3:3-4

The Son

We believe Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. He is fully man and fully God. He was born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on a cross for mankind, and atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in glory and power.

Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 28:5-6; Luke 1:27-35; 22:70; 24:46-47; John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 11:25-27; 17:1-5; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 8:1-3; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Gal 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16

The Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit was active in the Old Testament and given to the Church in fullness at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit’s presence assures us of our relationship with Christ. He guides believers into all truth and exalts Christ. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Christ.

Genesis 1:2; Psalms 51:11; 139:7 ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Mark 1:10; Luke 1:35; 4:1; 11:13; 12:12; John 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:5, 8; 2:1-4; 13:2; Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 12:1-11; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 22:17

Salvation

We believe we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human efforts. Salvation occurs through personal repentance, belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, and personal acceptance of Him into one’s life as Lord and Savior. Salvation is an act of freewill in response to God’s love for mankind, and should produce an active lifestyle of loving obedience and service to Jesus Christ our Savior.

Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22

Eternity

We believe humankind was created to exist forever. We will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.

Matthew 5:3, 12, 20, 6:20, 19:21, 25:34; John 17:24; II Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; I Peter 1:4).Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9-11, 20:12-15, 21:8).

Humanity

We believe men and women are made in the image of God and are the supreme object of His creation. Man was created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, man cannot attain a right relationship with God through his own effort. Every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love.

Genesis 1:26-30; 2:7, 18-22; 3; Psalms 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6; 7:14-25; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22; Ephesians 2; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11

The Church

We believe the goal of the church, which is the body of Christ, is to make disciples of all nations. The church is made up of a community of believers who are unified through faith in Christ; each with an integral part to play in the body of believers. The church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.

Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23

Sacraments: Water baptism & Communion

Water baptism: We believe baptism is a symbolic act to publicly profess one’s salvation. God commands it, but our salvation is not reliant upon it. We practice full-immersion baptism, symbolizing the process of death and resurrection that Jesus went through for us.

Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48

Communion: We believe communion (The Lord’s Supper) is a unique time when the elements of bread and juice express, in a spiritual way, the body and blood of Christ. Communion is taken by believers in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

 Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25

Marriage

We believe marriage is defined in the Bible as a covenant, a sacred bond between one man and one woman, instituted by and publicly entered into before God.

Matthew 19:4-6

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

We believe baptism of the Holy Spirit was given at pentecost, and it is the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after His ascension, to empower the Church to preach the Gospel throughout the whole earth.

Acts 2:1-18

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. The Bible’s lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters.

Hebrews 2:4; Romans 1:11, 12 :4-8; Ephesians 4:16; I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 1:6-7; I Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-40; I Peter 4:10

Healing of the Sick

Healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus, and included in the commission of Jesus to His disciples. It is given as a sign, which is to follow believers. It is also a part of Jesus' work on the Cross and one of the gifts of the Spirit.

Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; James 5:14-16; I Corinthians 12:9, 28; Romans 11:29