THE SCRIPTURE
We believe the Bible, consisting of the sixty‑six books of the Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error as originally written, and the final authority for all Christian faith and life. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19‑21
GOD
We believe in one living and true God who is the creator and sustainer of all things, sovereign, eternal, holy, perfect, and infinite. He exists in three equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Psalm 102:25‑27; Matthew 28:19
THE FATHER
We believe that God the Father has laid down a plan for the ages and is working all things together to fulfill that plan. The primary relationship of God to his people is one of fatherhood, a relationship of intimacy and care, and one which gives his people assurance of his providential control of all circumstances. 1 Corinthians 8:5‑6; Ephesians 1:3‑12 THE SON We believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is true God and true man. He existed eternally with the Father, became incarnate through conception by the Holy Spirit, was born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, and died as a vicarious atonement for sin. He arose bodily from the dead, and ascended into heaven where he serves as high priest and advocate for his people. John 1:1‑14; 1 Timothy 2:5‑6
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that God the Holy Spirit extends the ministry of Christ by applying the benefits of his work to believers. All believers are baptized in and indwelt by the Holy Spirit at conversion. The Spirit continues his work in believers by assuring, motivating and empowering to godly living, and enabling for service. The Spirit works in unbelievers by convincing them of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He is the agent of regeneration. John 14:16‑17; John 16:8‑11; 1 Corinthians 12:3‑13
ANGELS
We believe that God created an innumerable group of spirit‑beings known as angels. Satan led some of these angels in a revolt against God, while others remained faithful. Throughout history Satan and his angelic forces have engaged in a cosmic battle against God, his people, and the remaining good angels. The Lord Jesus Christ defeated Satan on the cross; yet, there awaits a future day when Christ will finally banish Satan and his followers to the Lake of Fire. John 8:44; Revelation 20:10
HUMANITY
We believe that God created the human race, in his image, to rule the earth and to enjoy fellowship with him. Although originally perfect, the first man, Adam, sinned against his creator in an act of rebellion and disobedience. As a result of his sin, the entire human race is alienated from God, condemned to spiritual and physical death, and helpless to establish reconciliation. Genesis 1:27; Romans 5:12‑19
SALVATION
We believe that salvation is a free gift of God’s grace involving regeneration, reconciliation, justification by faith, and forgiveness for sin. Salvation has its origin in the will of God the Father and the work of Christ, its means of reception in the response of repentance and faith on the part of the believer, its assurance in the perseverance of a Spirit‑led life, and its goal in the enjoyment of life in God’s presence forever. All those who are regenerate will be kept by the power of God in a state of grace and will inherit final salvation. John 1:12, 3:16; Ephesians 2:8‑9
THE CHURCH
We believe that the church is a community of believers who are united together before God for the purpose of worship, mutual edification, caring, evangelism, and social action. The church practices two ordinances: Baptism, the immersion of a believer in water as an act of identification with Christ; and The Lord’s Table, the partaking of the bread and the cup by believers as a celebration of the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice. The church is the body of Christ and under his headship is self‑governing. The scriptural officers of the church are: pastors (overseers, elders), whose primary function is shepherding, leading, and teaching; and deacons, whose primary function is to facilitate the ministry of the believing community. The church demonstrates unity and good stewardship when genuine believers within the body of Christ work together in achieving shared goals. Such cooperation is especially possible in activities where the distinctive beliefs of each church must take an equally strong stand of disassociation from apostasy. This conviction is to be practiced in balance and with an attitude of humility and compassion. Acts 2:41‑47; Ephesians 5:25‑27; 1 Timothy 3:1‑13;1 Corinthians 11:25‑28; Matthew 28:19‑20
CHRISTIAN LIFE
We believe that every Christian, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, should walk in love and holiness, exhibiting qualities of honesty, integrity, forgiveness, and loving kindness. Achievement in these characteristics will be evidenced by sincere humility and genuine desire for the advancement of the cause of Christ. Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 5:15-20 FUTURE THINGS We believe in the personal and bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ who will judge both the living and resurrected dead. The righteous will inherit eternal blessedness, and the unrighteous will receive eternal conscious punishment. The future will bring the complete fulfillment of God’s promise and the ultimate realization of Christ’s majestic, glorious kingdom of peace and righteousness. The culmination of history is life with God and Christ in the new heavens and new earth. Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; Revelation 20-22