Our Beliefs

Here are the key biblical truths that we affirm as a church body. While we may have various opinions on less important matters, there are core beliefs that we hold in common.

WE BELIEVE…

1. The Bible to be the only inspired, infallible and authoritative Word of God.
John 16:13, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:21, 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

We believe the Bible stands alone as our source of dependable truth and doctrine. God gives us his Word so we can know him and can live an abundant life.

2. That there is one God, eternally existent in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10-11, Matthew 28:19, Luke 3:22, John 14:16.

In what we commonly refer to as the Trinity, we believe that God is uniquely and indescribably one while expressed in three persons. We believe that God is now as he has always been, eternally the same in nature and character. We will never be able with our finite minds to take in the full scope of the existence of God.

3. In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 1:1, Philippians 2:6-11, John 1:14, Isaiah 9:6, John 20:28-29, Colossians 2:9.

We believe that Jesus Christ was fully God before he came to earth and remains fully God, ascended to heaven and seated at the right hand of the Father.

4. In the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 1:18, Luke 1:34-35, Isaiah 7:14.

When Jesus came in the flesh, he came just as the Bible had prophesied, as the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary.

5. Jesus lived a sinless life on earth.
2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 7:26, 1 John 3:5, Hebrews 4:15, 7:26-27, 1 Peter 2:22.

Though Jesus was born as a man and suffered the same temptations that others suffer, yet he remained without sin throughout his life.

6. Jesus performed the miracles recorded in the Bible.
Matthew 4:23, Luke 6:17-19, John 3:2.

From turning water into wine, healing the sick, raising the dead and multiplying loaves, Jesus testified through his miracles that he had the power that belonged to God.

7. The blood Jesus shed on the cross was a vicarious and atoning death.
Colossians 1:14, 20, Romans 5:8-9, Ephesians 1:7.

When Jesus died, he paid the atoning price for all the sins of all people. His death serves as a substitute for our own when we accept him as our Savior and Lord.

8. Jesus’ body was resurrected from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Luke 24:4-7, 36-48, Revelation 1:17-18.

On the third day after his death, Jesus rose alive from the grave as the victorious Lord over death and hell.

9. Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father.
Acts 2:23, 5:30-31, 1 Peter 3:22.

Forty days after Jesus rose from the dead, he rose in the clouds to join the Father at his right hand of power.

10. Jesus will return to earth personally in power and in glory.
Acts 1:11, Philippians 2:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-18, John 14:1-3.

We do not know when, but Jesus will return to earth to take his followers- living and dead-­ to an eternal dwelling.

11. Justification by faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for the salvation of lost and sinful people.
Romans 3:24-25, John 3:3-7, Ephesians 2:1-16, Revelation 5:9, Acts 4:12, 1 Corinthians 6:11, John 5:11-13.

Our hope is real only because of the actions God has taken towards us. Without God’s intervening help, all people would belong to the very same fearful fate of condemnation. But Jesus paid the price for our sins and offers to freely bestow upon us his justification. Further, God, through the continuous actions of the Holy Spirit, leads, guides and instructs us in ways that make us more pleasing to God. God’s desire for us is to grow to be holy and mature.

12. The prime agency for the work of God’s Kingdom is the Christian local church functioning under the sovereignty of our Lord Jesus Christ. To the church have been entrusted the ordinances of Believer’s Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Acts 16:4-5, Matthew 16:18, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:41-47, Ephesians 1:22-23, 1 Corinthians 12, 2 Corinthians 11:23-26.

With all our imperfections, churches like ours make up the body of Christ. Jesus promised to build his church and to use the church to challenge and change the world through the preaching and demonstration of the Gospel. Locally, churches have the joyful privilege of celebrating new believers through baptism and celebrating Jesus’ death and resurrection through communion.

13. The Holy Spirit’s work in the church today includes: The Baptism in the Holy Spirit as an experience distinct from salvation. His indwelling by which the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. His supernatural gifting and empowering of the church for its work, life and worship.
Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-8, Acts 2:1-4, 10:4-46, 1 Corinthians 12, 14.

Jesus promised the disciples that they would not be left as orphans to fend for themselves. Every believer has the opportunity to experience the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through them. The Bible instructs us to seek for and receive the gifts and the power of the Holy Spirit so that we can live fruitful and effective lives.

14. In the return of Jesus Christ to consummate his Kingdom in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost. Those who are saved will be resurrected to eternal life and those who are lost will be resurrected to eternal damnation.
John 5:28-29, Revelation 1:5-7, 20:4-5, 11-12, Mark 14:62, 2 Thessalonians 1:2-10.

Choosing to follow Jesus leads to a welcome into heaven for all eternity. People who die having turned down Jesus’ free gift of salvation subject themselves to eternal punishment in hell.

15. In the spiritual unity of all who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 17:11, 21-23, Romans 12:4-5, Ephesians 4:11-16.

Despite our differences, all who follow Christ share equally in the family of God. We believe that our attitude and actions toward other believers ought to reflect the love that we have for each other far and above our differences.