What We Believe
1. ABOUT GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. These three are of one divine nature or being. Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; Romans 8:9-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2
2. ABOUT THE FATHER
God, the Father, is perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. He has chosen to fully reveal himself through Jesus Christ. God displays fatherly compassion to all people and provides salvation to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ. Those who have trusted in Christ are born again as God’s true children. Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 6:1-3; Matthew 6:9ff; John 1:12-13; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts 17:24-31; Colossians 1:15; 1 John 3:1-2; 5:1
3. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5, 14; 10:30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; I Corinthians 15:3-4; I Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15
4. ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the eternal Spirit of the living God. He inspired men long ago to write the holy Scriptures. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives believers spiritual gifts for the building up of the body of Christ. As Christians we seek to live daily under the Holy Spirit’s control. Genesis 1:2; John 14:16-17; 16:7-13, Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16, 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 1:13; 4:11-12; 5:18
5. ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error. Psalm 12:6; 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21
6. ABOUT HUMANITY
We believe that all people have dignity and worth because they are created in the image of God and are precious in his sight. Although people were created to have fellowship with God, they became alienated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, people are incapable of regaining a right relationship with God through their own efforts. Sin separates people from God and is the source of much evil in the world. Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:23
7. ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is God’s free gift to us through Jesus Christ. The blood of Jesus shed on the cross provides the sole basis for the forgiveness of sin. We can never be saved from our sin by self-improvement or good works. God freely offers salvation to those who place their faith in Christ as the Savior and Ruler of their lives. Eternal life begins the moment a person invites Jesus into his life by faith. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the symbols of our salvation. John 1:12; John 14:6; Romans 5:1; 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5
8. ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security. John 10:27-30; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
9. ABOUT ETERNITY
God, in his own time and in his own way, will bring this world to its end. According to his promise, Jesus Christ will return in glory to the earth to judge the living and the dead in righteousness. People were created to exist forever. Each person will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally in God’s presence through forgiveness and salvation in Jesus Christ. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. Hell is a place of eternal separation from God. Heaven is a place of eternal fellowship and union with God. Believers await the glorious New Heavens and New Earth which will be the home of righteousness. John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-23; I Corinthians 2:7-9; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; 1 Peter 4:5; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 20: 3-5,15
10. ABOUT EVERY BELIEVER AS A PRIEST BEFORE GOD
Every believer has direct access to God through Jesus Christ. It is the privilege of every believer to pray and make confession of sins directly to God through Jesus Christ who is always interceding for us. Believers are directly accountable to God through Christ for their conduct and mutually accountable to one another. Every believer has the freedom and responsibility to read and interpret the Bible under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. John 17:16-19; 1 Corinthians 10:23; 1 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 4:15-16; 1 John 1:9; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Revelation 1:6
11. ABOUT GENDER, MARRIAGE, AND SEXUALITY
We believe that all persons have been created in the image of God as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. Rejection of one’s biological gender is a rejection of an essential aspect of the image of God within that person, and any attempt to change one’s biological sex or act in disagreement with one’s biological sex constitutes sinful behavior. Marriage is a biblical institution established by God and can only occur between one man and one woman. This church recognizes that marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment. As such, marriage is a gift of God in which the union of husband and wife reflects the union of Christ and his Church. Accordingly, this church’s pastors and staff will not officiate in same-sex unions or same-sex marriages, nor shall its property or resources be used for such purposes. The Bible teaches that God-honoring sexual relations are exercised solely within marriage between a man and a woman as defined above. We believe that any forms of sexual immorality, including premarital sex, adultery, homosexual behavior, and pornography are sinful and offensive to God. God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, including sexual sin, and his mercy and forgiveness are available to those who seek repentance and restoration through Jesus Christ. Genesis 1:27; 2:18-24; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Malachi 2:16; Matthew 19:1-6; Romans 1:18-32; 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; 7:10-17; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Hebrews 13:4.
12. ABOUT STEWARDSHIP
God is the source of all blessings; everything we have, including life itself, comes from Him. God has entrusted mankind to rule responsibly over His creation, and God has entrusted Christians to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all people. We are therefore under obligation to share our time, talents, and material possessions in advancing the work of God’s kingdom in the world. We have a responsibility to minister to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of people. God’s Word declares that Christians should contribute regularly, generously, and cheerfully to the work of God’s church in proportion to God’s blessings in our lives. Ten percent of one’s income is the basic biblical standard of giving. Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:8-12; 2 Corinthians 8:1-24; 9:1-15; 12:15; Romans 12:1-2; James 1:17; 1 Peter 1:18-19
13. ABOUT EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS
God loved the people of this world so much that he sent His only Son as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Jesus has commanded believers to share his message of forgiveness and salvation with all people everywhere. Being motivated therefore by the love of God and the command of Christ, Christians should make every effort to use all available means to share the good news of Jesus with people of all nations. Isaiah 49:6; Matthew 28:19-20 John 3:16; Acts 1:8, 2:39; Hebrews 2:1-3; Revelation 22:17
1. ABOUT GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. These three are of one divine nature or being. Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; Romans 8:9-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2
2. ABOUT THE FATHER
God, the Father, is perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. He has chosen to fully reveal himself through Jesus Christ. God displays fatherly compassion to all people and provides salvation to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ. Those who have trusted in Christ are born again as God’s true children. Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 6:1-3; Matthew 6:9ff; John 1:12-13; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts 17:24-31; Colossians 1:15; 1 John 3:1-2; 5:1
3. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5, 14; 10:30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; I Corinthians 15:3-4; I Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15
4. ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the eternal Spirit of the living God. He inspired men long ago to write the holy Scriptures. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives believers spiritual gifts for the building up of the body of Christ. As Christians we seek to live daily under the Holy Spirit’s control. Genesis 1:2; John 14:16-17; 16:7-13, Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16, 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 1:13; 4:11-12; 5:18
5. ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error. Psalm 12:6; 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21
6. ABOUT HUMANITY
We believe that all people have dignity and worth because they are created in the image of God and are precious in his sight. Although people were created to have fellowship with God, they became alienated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, people are incapable of regaining a right relationship with God through their own efforts. Sin separates people from God and is the source of much evil in the world. Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:23
7. ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is God’s free gift to us through Jesus Christ. The blood of Jesus shed on the cross provides the sole basis for the forgiveness of sin. We can never be saved from our sin by self-improvement or good works. God freely offers salvation to those who place their faith in Christ as the Savior and Ruler of their lives. Eternal life begins the moment a person invites Jesus into his life by faith. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the symbols of our salvation. John 1:12; John 14:6; Romans 5:1; 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5
8. ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security. John 10:27-30; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
9. ABOUT ETERNITY
God, in his own time and in his own way, will bring this world to its end. According to his promise, Jesus Christ will return in glory to the earth to judge the living and the dead in righteousness. People were created to exist forever. Each person will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally in God’s presence through forgiveness and salvation in Jesus Christ. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. Hell is a place of eternal separation from God. Heaven is a place of eternal fellowship and union with God. Believers await the glorious New Heavens and New Earth which will be the home of righteousness. John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-23; I Corinthians 2:7-9; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; 1 Peter 4:5; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 20: 3-5,15
10. ABOUT EVERY BELIEVER AS A PRIEST BEFORE GOD
Every believer has direct access to God through Jesus Christ. It is the privilege of every believer to pray and make confession of sins directly to God through Jesus Christ who is always interceding for us. Believers are directly accountable to God through Christ for their conduct and mutually accountable to one another. Every believer has the freedom and responsibility to read and interpret the Bible under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. John 17:16-19; 1 Corinthians 10:23; 1 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 4:15-16; 1 John 1:9; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Revelation 1:6
11. ABOUT GENDER, MARRIAGE, AND SEXUALITY
We believe that all persons have been created in the image of God as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. Rejection of one’s biological gender is a rejection of an essential aspect of the image of God within that person, and any attempt to change one’s biological sex or act in disagreement with one’s biological sex constitutes sinful behavior. Marriage is a biblical institution established by God and can only occur between one man and one woman. This church recognizes that marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment. As such, marriage is a gift of God in which the union of husband and wife reflects the union of Christ and his Church. Accordingly, this church’s pastors and staff will not officiate in same-sex unions or same-sex marriages, nor shall its property or resources be used for such purposes. The Bible teaches that God-honoring sexual relations are exercised solely within marriage between a man and a woman as defined above. We believe that any forms of sexual immorality, including premarital sex, adultery, homosexual behavior, and pornography are sinful and offensive to God. God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, including sexual sin, and his mercy and forgiveness are available to those who seek repentance and restoration through Jesus Christ. Genesis 1:27; 2:18-24; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Malachi 2:16; Matthew 19:1-6; Romans 1:18-32; 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; 7:10-17; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Hebrews 13:4.
12. ABOUT STEWARDSHIP
God is the source of all blessings; everything we have, including life itself, comes from Him. God has entrusted mankind to rule responsibly over His creation, and God has entrusted Christians to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all people. We are therefore under obligation to share our time, talents, and material possessions in advancing the work of God’s kingdom in the world. We have a responsibility to minister to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of people. God’s Word declares that Christians should contribute regularly, generously, and cheerfully to the work of God’s church in proportion to God’s blessings in our lives. Ten percent of one’s income is the basic biblical standard of giving. Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:8-12; 2 Corinthians 8:1-24; 9:1-15; 12:15; Romans 12:1-2; James 1:17; 1 Peter 1:18-19
13. ABOUT EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS
God loved the people of this world so much that he sent His only Son as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Jesus has commanded believers to share his message of forgiveness and salvation with all people everywhere. Being motivated therefore by the love of God and the command of Christ, Christians should make every effort to use all available means to share the good news of Jesus with people of all nations. Isaiah 49:6; Matthew 28:19-20 John 3:16; Acts 1:8, 2:39; Hebrews 2:1-3; Revelation 22:17