Statement of Beliefs
The Scripture
We believe the Bible was written by men inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:19-21). The Scriptures are infallible, unfailing and accurate (Psalm 12:6; I Corinthians 2:13). While God used human authors and their personalities, the original writings were as if God had written them Himself. The Scriptures are the supreme and final authority in faith and life (Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Timothy 3:16).
The Godhead
We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – and these three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections and are worthy of the same confidence and obedience (Matthew 28:18, 19:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
The Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son and is perfect humanity 100% and deity 100% (John 1:1, 3:16). He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:30-35). He lived a sinless life and was god’s ideal man (Hebrews 4:15). He died on the cross as the substitute for man for the sin penalty (Romans 5:8). He arose bodily from the dead (John 20:20). He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). He is presently ministering for the believer as the intercessor (Hebrews 7:25). He will return personally and visibly, first to received the believer to Himself (I Thessalonians 4:16, 17), and then to establish His kingdom on earth (Matthew 25:31, 32).
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity (Matthew 28:19). He convicts and is active in the regeneration of the believer (John 16:8-11; Titus 3:5). He indwells every believer (Romans 8:9). He is the source of power whereby the believer may live a Godly life (Galatians 5:16). His present ministry is, in part, to convince the world of the reality of sin, of righteousness through Christ, and of the judgment to come (John 16:7-11).
Salvation
We believe that man may have salvation from the guilt and penalty of sin through personal trust in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ for man’s sin (1 Peter 2:24). Through faith in Jesus Christ, man is born again (John 3:3), possesses a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17), and has the promise of eternal life (Romans 6:23). Salvation cannot come through works, but only through the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8,9).
Eternal Security and Assurance of the Believer
We believe that those who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation have the promise of eternal life as a present possession (John 5:24), and therefore they are guaranteed eternal life (Ephesians 4:30). It is the privilege of the believer to have a present and continuing assurance that he possesses salvation (1 John 5:13).
The Creation of Man and His Fall
Man is physical, which is his body, is a personality, which is the spirit, and spiritual, which is the soul (1 Thessalonians 5:23; Luke 10:27). All parts were a direct result of God’s creative hand (Genesis 2:7), in which he made man in his image and likeness (Genesis 1:26, 5:1). Mankind fell when Adam and Eve failed the test of obedience in the Garden of Eden. Sin was passed from generation to generation (Romans 5:19; Genesis 3:6-24). Sin is anything contrary to the character of God and that does not bring glory to God. Sin causes separation between God and Man (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 6:23).
Heaven and Hell
We believe in a literal Heaven in which God dwells and Christ dwells. We believe that when believers die they go to be with the Lord in Heaven. We believe in a literal Hell that was prepared for the Devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Man will go to Hell after death by choice, because he has not accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, and he will spend eternity there in torment separated from God.
Satan
We believe that Satan is a created being of God, and that he fell because of sin to his present state (Isaiah 14:12-17). He is the author of sin (Genesis 3:1-19). He has been judged through the death of Christ on the cross (John 12:31). He will be eternally judged in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
The Church
We believe that all who are born again through faith in Christ are members of the Church which is the body and bride of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). The Church has been given the commission to reach the world for Christ (Matthew 28:19, 20). The local church is an organized body of believers in one locality (Revelation 2). The ordinances of the Church are water baptism (Matthew 28:19), and the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19,20).
The Eternal State
We believe that at death the souls of those who have trusted in Christ for salvation pass immediately into the presence of Christ (Philippians 1:23). Those who have died will rise again from the graves, and those who are living at the time of the rapture will with them be translated into an immortal state (1 Corinthians 15:51-53), and they shall be forever with Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Eternal punishment in the lake of fire is for all who have rejected Christ (Revelation 20:14, 15).
The Christian Walk
We believe that the Christian is challenged in the Word of God to live a life separated from the sin of the world (Romans 6:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:18-19; 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18) which can only be accomplished by his living in dependence upon the Holy Spirit so as to reveal the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-23). The life of the believer should be fruitful in ministry within the church and their world (John 15:1-8; Ephesians 4:11-13).