Statement of Faith

The Scriptures

We believe that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” (2 Timothy 3:16) We understand this to mean that the whole Bible is inspired by God, and that holy men of God “were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21) to write the very words of Scripture, and were not influenced by human will or culture. We believe this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of Scripture as it appeared in the original manuscripts. We believe that the whole Bible in the originals is therefore without error. We believe that all Scriptures center around the Lord Jesus Christ in His person and work, in His first coming and second coming, and hence that no portion, even of the Old Testament, is properly read or understood, until it leads to Him. We also believe that all Scripture was designed for our practical instruction. (Luke 24:27,44; John 5:39; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16)

The Triune Godhead

We believe in one true and living God, the Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer and Ruler of all things. He is infinite, eternal, unchangeable, and is revealed to us as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

God the Father

God the Father, reigns over all of His universe with providential care. He is all-powerful, all-loving, all-knowing, and all-wise. He is fatherly in attitude towards all men but is Father, indeed, to those who have become children of God through Jesus Christ, who will deliver them into the Father’s hands.(Genesis 1:1; Chronicles 29:10; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 6:9; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:1415; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 4:6)

God the Son

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. He accomplished this redemption by voluntarily giving Himself as a sinless, substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, thereby satisfying God’s righteous judgment against sin. After substantiating the accomplishment of that redemption/justification by His bodily resurrection from the grave, He ascended to the right hand of God the Father, where He intercedes on behalf of those who trust Him. (Luke 1:34,35; John 1:1,2,18; Romans 3:24-26)

God the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine Person Who convicts the world of sin, and that He alone brings new life to those who are spiritually dead; that He baptizes (or places) all believers into one true Church, which is the body of Christ; that He indwells and seals them unto the day of final redemption, that He bestows spiritual gifts upon them as He sees fit, fills (controls) those who are yielding to Him. Every believer is called to live in this manner in the power of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and must not fulfill the lusts of the flesh of human nature, but bear fruit to the glory of God. (John 3:3-8, 14-16, 17; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 13; Ephesians 4:30, 5:18)

Creation

We believe that man was created directly and in the image of God. We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, including all life by direct act. (Genesis 1:1; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16,17)

Man

Although man was created in the image of God, he fell into sin, and is lost. This is true of all men, except a man be born again by the Holy Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (Genesis 12:26-27; John 3:3; Romans 3:10, 23)

Satan (the Devil)

We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the reason for the fall of man, and is destined to the judgment of eternal punishment in the lake of fire. (Matthew 4:1-3; Acts 5:3; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10)

Atonement for Sin

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a substitutionary sacrifice and that all who believe on Him are redeemed by His shed blood. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord Jesus Christ and in His ascension into heaven; He is our high Priest and Advocate. (John 1:1-3,14, 3;1-7,16; Hebrews 10:4-14; 1 John 2:2)

Salvation

We believe that salvation is a gift from God, through God’s grace. It cannot be earned by meritorious works, but if freely bestowed upon all who put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary. All who trust the Savior are forgiven of their sins and are born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. (John 1:2; Acts 16:30-33; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-9)

The Christian Walk

We believe that we are called with a holy calling, to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, and to live in the power of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit so that we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Romans 6:11-13, 8:2,4,12,13; Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 2:1-10; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John 1:4-7, 3:5-9)

Family

We believe that God created the family and blessed the family as the foundation of society. Marriage unites one man and one woman in a lifetime commitment to each other. (Genesis 2:23-24; Matthew 19:4-6) Marriage provides for intimate companionship, pure sexual expression (Genesis 2:25; Ephesians 5:31-33), procreation, and reflects the relationship of Christ and the church (Genesis 1:28; Proverbs 5:15-19; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5). A husband is commanded to love his wife as Christ loved the church. A wife is commanded to submit to her husband as the church submits to Christ (Ephesians 5:22-23).

Children are a gift from God, and parents are to train their children by modeling a godly life, teaching them from Scriptures, disciplining them in love, and providing them a resource of wisdom and counsel (Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Proverbs 1:8-9, 13:24, 22:6). Parents are to care for the needs of their children (2 Corinthians 12:14; Ephesians 6:4). Children are to obey their parents with respect and honor, caring for them in the time of their dependency and old age (Exodus 20:12; Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 23:22; Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20; 1 Timothy 5:8).

Church

We believe that Christ established the church and is the head of the church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). The church comprises believers from its beginning at Pentecost until the return of Christ (Acts 2:1; Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58).

The purpose of the church is to worship, praise, and glorify God by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus to the entire world (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). By teaching His word (Colossians 1:24-28); By seeking Him through earnest prayer (Acts 2:42); By equipping the saints to walk, serve and fellowship in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:42-46; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25; Matthew 28:19).

We believe that the Lord gave two ordinances to the church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is for believers and is a public testimony of faith in Christ in obedience to His command (Matthew 28:19). Baptism identifies the believer with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Colossians 2:12) and we encourage baptism by emersion (Acts 8:36-39). The Lord’s Supper is the believers remembrance of our Lord’s death until He comes and should be preceded by careful spiritual examination of the participant (Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28).


Statement of Faith (document)