Our Beliefs

Our Biblical Beliefs

Faith and Practice

In all matters of faith and practice, Scripture is the final authority. In matters where Scripture is silent, believers should conscientiously seek to be led by the Lord because it is to Him alone he or she is ultimately responsible.

In essential beliefs/doctrine we have UNITY.
“There is one Body and one Spirit…there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all…” Eph. 4:4-6

In non-essentials we have LIBERTY.
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.” Romans 14:1-23

In all beliefs we show LOVE.
“…If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move
mountains — but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

The Bible

The sole basis of our belief is the Bible—the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe Scripture in its entirety originated with God and He revealed it to chosen authors. Scripture speaks with the authority of God while simultaneously reflecting the backgrounds, styles, and vocabularies of these human authors. We hold that the Scriptures, in their original manuscripts, are infallible and inerrant; they are the unique, full, and final authority on all matters of faith and practice. There are no other writings similarly inspired by God.

II Timothy 3:16, II Peter 3:15-16; Deuteronomy 4:2, 28:9; Psalm 19:7-11; John 14:26; 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy
3:14-17; Hebrews 4:12; James 1:21

Salvation

The central purpose of God’s revelation in Scripture is to call people into fellowship with Him. Originally created to be in relationship with God, humans defied Him by going their own independent way, resulting in alienation from Him and the innate inability to please God. This fall took place at the beginning of human history; all people since have suffered these consequences and are in need of the saving grace of God. The salvation of humanity is completely a work of God’s free grace; it is not in any way the result of human works or goodness. Each person can receive salvation by repentance and faith. God’s Word assures individuals that He will continue His saving work in them forever.

Luke 24:46-48; John 3:16; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:8-11; Galatians 2:16; 3:2-3; Ephesians 1:7-8; 2:13; Hebrews 9:11-14, 25-26;
10:8-14; John 1:12-13; 3:3-8; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 8:15-17; Ephesians 2:8-9; Psalm 32:1-2; Acts 10:43; Romans 3:21-26, 28;
4:2-5; 5:8-9; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Philippians 3:9; Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 5:24; Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22-
24; Colossians 3:9-10; Titus 3:4-5; 1 Peter 1:23; Romans 8:15-17; Galatians 4:4-7; Ephesians 1:5-6; 1 John 3:1-3

God - The Trinity

We believe there is one true, holy God, eternally existing in three equal persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the beginning, God demonstrated His power, wisdom, and goodness by creating the world and everything in it. Through His divine power and providence, God continues to sustain His creation, operating within history to fulfill His redemptive purposes.

Genesis 1:1-2; Exodus 3:13-15; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-3; 5:19-23; 8:58; 14:9-11;15:26; 16:13-15; 2 Corinthians 13:14

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The Father

We believe the Father is the cause of all that exists whether of matter or spirit. He with the Son and the Holy Spirit made humanity to bear His image. By intention He relates to humanity as Father, thereby forever declaring His goodwill toward humanity. He is, according to the New Testament, the one who both seeks and receives penitent sinners.

Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ, the eternal second person of the Trinity, was fully united with a human nature by a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He lived in perfect obedience to the Father, voluntarily paid the price for the sins of all people by dying on the cross as their substitute, and satisfied divine justice bringing salvation to all who trust in Him alone. After His physical death, Jesus Christ rose from the dead and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father as the only intercessor between God and humans. He promises to return to earth, personally and visibly, to fulfill history and the eternal plan of God. Jesus fulfilled the promise of God to bless all people through Abraham by becoming the promise or final sacrifice.

Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 24:1-2, 39; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13; John 1:29

The Holy Spirit & The Christian Life

People in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ are to live in holiness and obedience as they submit to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Sent by the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit applies Christ’s saving work by enlightening the minds of sinners to their need to be saved. He renews and indwells each believer upon salvation, becoming their source of assurance, strength, wisdom, and gifting for building up the church. The Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying the Bible. Appropriated by faith, His power and control empower believers to lead a life of Christ-like character and bear fruit for the Father’s glory.

I Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1

Human Beings

God created human beings in His own image, innocent, morally free and responsible to choose between good and evil, right and wrong. By the sin of Adam, humans as the offspring of Adam are corrupted in their very nature so that from birth they are inclined to sin. They are unable by their own strength and work to restore themselves in right relationship with God and to merit eternal salvation. God, the Omnipotent, provides all the resources of the Trinity to make it possible for humans to respond to His grace through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. By God’s grace and help people are enabled to do good works with a free will. God created human Beings in His own image which is a SPIRITUAL image.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 51:5; 130:3; Romans 5:17-19; Ephesians 2:8-10

Human Destiny

Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. All humanity will experience a bodily resurrection and a judgment that will determine the fate of each individual. Having rejected God, unbelievers will suffer eternal condemnation apart from Him in Hell. Believers will be received into eternal communion with God and will be rewarded for works done in this life in Heaven.

Mark 9:42-48; John 14:3; Hebrews 2:1-3, Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:22-27

The Church

All who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are united with Him as members of His body, the one true church. Scripture commands believers to gather for worship, prayer, fellowship, and the teaching of the Word; to observe Baptism and Communion as established by Jesus Christ; to offer service to the body through development and use of talents, gifts, and outreach to the world. The local expression of the church is wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to this command. Cared for and led by Pastors and leaders, church members are to work together in love and unity for the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.

Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 4:11-16: Hebrews 10:25; Matthew 28:19-20; Matthew 16:18

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