We Believe
The Bible
We believe the Christian Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God. We believe the Bible is the final authority in every area it addresses for every individual Christian, as well as for the church collectively. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21, Psalm 19:7-11)
God
We believe there is one God who eternally exists as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit equal in essence and power. We believe that all things were created by Him and for Him. (Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 45:21-22, Matthew 28:19, Colossians 1:16)
The Father
We believe that God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men. (Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 6:4, Exodus 3:14, 1 Chronicles 29:10, Jeremiah 10:10, Galatians 4:6)
The Son
We believe that God the Son in is incarnation as Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life (for He was without sin), died a substitutionary death for all mankind, was raised from the dead the third day, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, interceding always, fully God, fully man. (John 1:1, 14, Matthew 1:18-25, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 3:18, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Hebrews 10:12-13)
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. We believe the Holy Spirit regenerates, indwells, and seals believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that He sanctifies and empowers them to live as His witnesses. (John 14:16-17, John 16:7-11, Titus 3:5-6, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 1:13-14, Acts 1:8, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14, 1 Peter 4:10-11, John 3:1-21)
Humanity
We believe that God created human beings, male and female, in His own image. He created them sinless, equal in value, dignity, and worth.
We believe that, as a result of the Fall, all people are sinners, by nature and action, and in need of a Savior, and that Jesus Christ is the one and only Savior of the world. That salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Him. We believe that all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved eternally. (Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:18-19, Matthew 1:21, 1 John 4:14, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9)
The Church
We believe in the universal church, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the head and all who are born again are a part of the body of Christ. We believe that each local congregation is an expression of that universal church. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Ephesians 4:15-16, Ephesians 4:4, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Revelation 5:9, Acts 2:42-47)
The Resurrection
We believe in the resurrection of the dead. Believers will be raised to life, and unbelievers to shame and eternal punishment (Hell). (Daniel 12:2, John 5:25-29, Revelation 21:1-22:5)
Gifts and Workings of the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is alive and active in regeneration, empowerment and ongoing filling for the purposes of God in this world. We believe all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still available today, but not one of them in particular is required to give evidence of the baptism or filling of the Spirit. that all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Scripture are available to, and active in His church today. (John 14:16-17, John 16:7-11, Titus 3:5-6, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 1:13-14, Acts 1:8, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14, 1 Peter 4:10-11)
Marriage
We believe Marriage has been instituted by God. This church defines marriage as the exclusive covenantal union of a man and a woman in which such union is a lifetime commitment. A civil government’s sanction of a union will be recognized as a legitimate marriage by the church only to the extent that it remains consistent with the definition of marriage found in these Statements.
Human Sexuality
Legitimate sexual relations are exercised solely within marriage. Hence, sexual relations outside of marriage (referred to in the New Testament as “porneia”-- πορνεια) including but not limited to, adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, and pedophilia are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and the Church. Further, lascivious conduct, transgender behavior, and the creation, distribution or viewing of pornography, are incompatible with the biblical witness.