Beliefs

The Authority of Scripture

We believe the Bible is God’s Word, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. It is accurate, authoritative, and applicable to our everyday lives.

Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalm 119:11, 89, 105; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39, 16:13-15, 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2, 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:21

God (The Trinity)

We believe in one eternal God who is the Creator of all things, and He exists in three co-equal Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. God is totally loving and completely holy.

1 John 5:7; John 1:14, 14:28, 16:28; John 15:26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 61:1

The Father

We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in love, holiness, justice, and grace. We believe that He is all-knowing and all-powerful. We believe that He mindfully and mercifully concerns himself with the lives of humankind, that He hears and answers our prayers, and that He offers salvation from sin and death through Jesus Christ.

Luke 10:21-22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16, 6:27; Romans 1:7; 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 2:5-6; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6

Jesus, the Son

We believe that Jesus Christ is the only One who can restore us to God. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe the unconscionable beating and violent crucifixion of Jesus was in our place–the full, fitting payment for our sin.

1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 5:9; Colossians 1:20; Romans 3:10-12, 23; 5:9; John 1:29

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, co-equal with Jesus and the Father in the Godhead. We believe the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son, convicts the world of sin and promotes righteousness and judgment. The Holy Spirit is our omnipresent, omnipotent helper, comforter, and guide to all who believe in Jesus.

John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27; John 16:9-14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; Galatians 5:22-26

Man

We believe that mankind was made in the image of God. Every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love.

Genesis 1:26-30, 2:7, 18-22; 3:1-24; Psalm 8:3-6, 51:5; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; Ephesians 2

Sin

We believe our sin has separated each of us from God and His purpose for our lives. As a result, man cannot attain a right relationship with God through his own effort.

Genesis 3; Psalm 32:1-5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Romans 3:10, 3:23, 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Forgiveness

We believe that in order to receive forgiveness from God and new birth, we must repent of our sins, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and submit to His will for our lives.

Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22

Salvation

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ: His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is an unmerited gift from God, not earned by good works or any human effort. Whosoever calls upon Jesus will be saved.

Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10, 13; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22

Water Baptism

Baptism in water by immersion is a direct commandment of Jesus and is for believers only. Baptism is an ordinance symbolic of the Christian’s identification with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48, Colossians 2:12

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

The baptism in the Holy Spirit, as promised by Jesus to all believers, is a gift received subsequent to new birth (salvation). The baptism in the Holy Spirit enables Christ followers to fully utilize public and private spiritual gifts for the furtherance of the Church and for personal spiritual growth. We believe the evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues.

Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5, 2:1-4, 17, 38-39; 8:14-17, 10:38, 44-47; 11:15-17, 19:1-6; 1 Corinthians 14

Sanctification

Salvation makes us righteous before God. Sanctification is the development of Christ’s character in us through an ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 12:14 tells us that “without holiness no one will see God.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3; Romans 8:29, 12:1-2; Hebrews 2:11

The Church

We believe in the power and significance of the Church and the necessity of believers to meet regularly together for fellowship, prayer, and the “breaking of bread.”

We believe that God has individually equipped us so that we can successfully achieve His purpose for our lives which is to worship God, fulfill our role in the Church, and serve the community in which we live.

Matthew 16:18-19, 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47, 5:11-14, 13:1-3, 14:23, 16:5, 20:28; 1 Corinthians 7:17; Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:19-22, 3:10-12, 5:22-32; Colossians 1:18, 3:15; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 21:2-3

Healing

Daily health and divine healing were purchased by Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. Wisdom for the healthy stewardship of our bodies and divine healing by the laying on of hands are available to every believer.

Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; James 5:14-16; 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28; Romans 11:29

Heaven

We believe a person’s eternal destination of either Heaven or Hell is determined by their response to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 5:3, 12, 20; 6:20, 19:21, 25:34; John 17:24; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; 1 Peter 1:4; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 19:20

Hell

Scripture uses words like “everlasting fire,” “torment,” and “wrath” to describe Hell. We believe Hell is a literal place. Eternal separation from God happens there.

Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9-11, 20:12-15, 21:8

The End of This Age

At the ascension the angels said, “This same Jesus will come back in the same way you saw him go into Heaven”.

Acts 1:11

Resurrection & Rapture

We believe in the resurrection of the saints and rapture of the Church. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says, “…the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

The Reign of Christ

Following the tribulation, we believe Jesus will physically and visibly return to Earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 20:6 tells us Jesus’ followers will reign with Him for a thousand years as kings and priests.