OUR CORE BELIEFS

The Bible

The Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old Testament and New Testament, is God’s revealed Word to mankind. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Since it is fully inspired by God, it is the truth without error in the original text. The Bible is our supreme and final authority in all matters about which it speaks. (2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)

God

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – these three are co-equal and are one God. They do, however, have different roles, functions and works. (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 90:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:6-10)

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the one and only eternal Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless human life as both fully God and fully man. He gave Himself to die on the cross, as the substitute for sinners. He is the perfect and complete sacrifice. He physically arose from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and now ministers as the Head of His body, the Church. Jesus Christ is preparing a place for all His own and will return to the earth in power and glory. (John 3:16, 1:1-14; Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23; Luke 1:34-35; 1 Peter 1:18-21; Hebrews 4:14-15; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Peter 2:24-25; Romans 8:3; Hebrews 9:27-28; Ephesians 5:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 17:3; Matthew 16:21; Luke 24:34; 2 Timothy 2:8; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 4:15-16, 5:29-30; Acts 1:9-11; John 14:2-3, 14:28)

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is present in the world today to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ, to perform the miracle of new birth, and to come to live in every Christian the moment they trust in Jesus Christ as Savior. He provides the Christian with power for living and service, the understanding of spiritual truth, comfort in life’s trials, guidance in choosing and doing what is right, and gifts which are for the building up of other believers. (2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 16:5-16, 14:15-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16, 12:3-13)

Human Beings

Human beings were divinely created by God in His image. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Human life begins at conception, and every moment of every human life is precious to God. God created male and female and ordained marriage to be between one man and one woman. The intimacy of a sexual relationship is to occur only within the context of biblically defined marriage. God created mankind in moral innocence, however, because of the sin of Adam and Eve, all mankind has fallen under the curse of sin. Everyone is separated from God, sinful by nature and by practice; we are guilty before God. We are unable to reconcile with God by our own effort, thereby deserving of physical and spiritual death and separation from God forever. (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:24; Psalm 51:5; Psalm 8:3-8; Psalm 139:13-16; Romans 5:12-14; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 5:6, 3:23, 3:10-12; Isaiah 59:1-2; John 8:34; Romans 6:23)

Salvation

The Church

The Church is the family of God and the body of Christ. The Church was created by God to show His glory on the earth by reaching out to people who do not know Him, lifting up worship to Him, loving each other as His family, growing in maturity to be like Christ, and serving others in His name. The Holy Spirit is the giver of spiritual gifts for ministry in the Church. These gifts are given to all believers that they may be equipped for work in His service and the church may be built up. The Church administers Believers Baptism and celebrates the Lord’s Supper (Communion) until Christ comes. (Ephesians 2:19, 1:22-23; Acts 2:38, 2:41-47; Mark 16:15; Ephesians 4:11-13, 4:15-16; 1 Corinthians 12:1-13; 1 Peter 4:10; Acts 2:41; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:1-4; Colossians 2:12; Luke 22:7-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

Eternity

Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. People were originally created by God to exist forever, but the reality of sin changed that. All human beings will be physically resurrected from death, and will either exist eternally separated from God in hell because of their sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. (Matthew 18:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:1-21:4; Matthew 25:41-46; Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 1:3-5)