What We Believe
We believe the one Triune God is comprised of three separate distinct persons;
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who are eternally self-existent, self-complete, self-revealed, and one in essence and purpose. Jesus Christ, who is God manifested in the flesh, is second member of the Godhead, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and Holy Spirit.
(Matthew 28:19, John 1:1-14, 10:30, 14:15-21, 20:28, Colossians 1:15-20, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Hebrews 1:1-19, 1 Peter 1:1-2)
We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God.
It is the supreme and infallible rule of faith and conduct for the Christian. God’s Revelation is superior to conscience and reason; yet it is no contrary to them, only above them and corrective to them.
(Psalms 19:7-11, 119:89-112, Isaiah 55:8-11, Matthew 5:17-18, 2 Timothy 3:16-4:2, Hebrews 4:12)
We believe in the sacraments of baptism in water and the Lord’s supper…
…and in the Church as Christ’s Body on earth, in the oneness and unity of that Body, in the resurrection of the dead, and in Life Everlasting.
(Matthew 28:16-20, Ephesians 4:1-13, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and 15:1-11, John 3:16, 10:28, 17:20)
We believe that humanity was created in the image of God, but by voluntary transgression fell from innocence.
Our only hope of redemption is through the atoning death of Christ on the cross. Salvation is by Grace, through faith in Jesus Christ faith evidence by love for God and neighbor; growth in holiness, and a life lived to God’s Glory. Good works are to be done out of gratitude for grace received. They cannot “earn” anyone salvation for they have no merit with God.
(Isaiah 64:6, Luke 17:10, Galatians 2:15-21)
Rather, these good works flow forth as inevitable expression of a life that has been changed and made new by the Holy Spirit.
(Titus 3:1-8, Genesis 1:26-3:19, John 14:7, Matthew 5:16/ Acts 4:12; 26:20/ Ephesians 2:1-10 and 4:17-32, Galatians 15:6, 19-26)
We believe that the Church worldwide is the body of Christ,
the habitation of God through the Spirit, encompassing all who in reality repent of their sins and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to save them. To this Body, Christ gives various gifts for the edification of His Church, the advancement of His Kingdom, and the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Every true believer, born of and sealed by the Spirit, is an indispensable part of His Body and should be actively supporting the work of the local church which is the visible expression of His universal Church.
(1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Ephesians 2:19-22; 4:1-16, Acts 2:38-41, Romans 3:21-26, John 3:3-8)
We believe the Church has been commanded to take the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ to every tribe, tongue, people and nation.
(Matthew 24:14 and 28:16-20, Act 1:1-8, Romans 10:1-15, Revelation 7:9-10)
We believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and is coming again to judge the living and the dead;
The impenitent and unbelieving to be banished from His presence, and the redeemed to be joyfully espoused to Him for all eternity.
(John 20:1-31, Acts 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and 5:1-11, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10, Revelation 20:11-15, 2 Corinthians 5:10)
Upon this foundation of faith,
we covenant with one another and with God to pray, live and labor together in love and unity of the Spirit as true disciples of Jesus Christ.
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.
– Ephesians 4:1-6 NLT