A. The Scriptures
We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be verbally inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings, and that they are of supreme and final authority concerning faith and life (1 Corinthians 2:13, 10:11; II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21).
B. The Godhead
We believe in one God who eternally exists as three persons: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. God’s attributes include: Unity (Deuteronomy 6:4), Infinity (Colossians 1:17), Eternity (Rev. 1:8), Immutability (James 1:17) (Malachi 3:6), Omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-12), Sovereignty (Ephesians 1), Omniscience: (1 Chron. 28:9) (Hebrews 4:13)Justice (Acts 17:31) (Deuteronomy 32:4) Truth (John 14:6), Freedom of His will (Isaiah 40:13-14), Omnipotence (Psalm 33:6) (Jeremiah 32:17), Holiness (Isaiah 6)
The Father:
We believe in God the Father, the only true God, who created all things and in whom we live and move and have our being. (Matthew 28:19-20; John 17:3; Acts 17:28; Revelation 4:11). The Father so loved the world that He purposed in eternity to send His Son to save fallen mankind. (John 3:16; Ephesians 1:3-4; I Timothy 2:3-4)
The Son:
We believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and the Eternal Word manifested in flesh. We believe that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and that He is true God and true man. (Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Luke1:30-35; John1:1-2; 14; 18; John3:16; Philippians 2:5-8)
The Holy Spirit:
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person who is co-equal with God the Father and God the Son; that he convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He is the agent of the new birth; and that He seals, empowers, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and comforts the believer. (Matthew 28:19; John 14:15-17; 26; John 16:7-11; Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 1:13-14; Hebrews 9:14; I Peter1:2). We believe that all definitions and practices of spiritual gifts must conform to the definitions and practices of spiritual gifts as set forth in the Word of God. (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:6-10; 1Cor. 12:28-30; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 4:10-11)
Therefore, we believe:
- God gives gifts to the believers, so that all can contribute for the cause of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12-14; Romans12),
- That since the completion of the writing of the New Testament the church should not expect to see sign gifts used as testimony to the validity of His teachings. (1Corinthians13:8-10; Heb. 2:1-4)
- That God is free and able to work biblical tongues and healings at any time according to His will. (Matthew 19:26) General observation reveals that He is not now doing so in the same manner as He did at the beginning of the New Testament Church so as to effectively establish and expand it.
C. Angels and Satan
We believe that the angels are ministering spirits of God on behalf of all believers (Hebrews 1:6-7, 14). We believe in the personality of Satan, the archenemy of God and the leader of fallen angels. He deceives the world and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire. We believe that Satan can exercise vast power, but only so far as God allows him to do so (Job 1:12; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:2-11; Matthew 25:41; I Peter 5:8-9; Revelation 12:7-10; Rev. 20:10).
D. Man
We believe that man was created in the image God (Genesis 1:27; 2:7) and that, by voluntary transgression, fell from his sinless state, in consequence of which all men are now sinners and guilty before God and under the just condemnation of God; (Gen. 3:1-24; Romans 3:23; 5:8, 12). We believe that because of the total depravity of man, the new birth is necessary and can only be obtained through being born of the Spirit and exercising faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:1-3; John 3:1-7; Romans 3:10-18; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6). All men, until they trust and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, are lost, are darkened in their understanding, are alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, are hardened in heart, and are morally and spiritually dead through their trespasses and sins (Luke 19:10; Romans 1:21; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1, 5; 4:18). We believe in the privilege of the individual soul to approach God directly through the Holy Spirit (John 14:6; 16:13; Acts 4:13; Ephesians 1:13).
E. Salvation
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice to satisfy God’s divine justice. So that all who trust in Him are justified on the basis of His shed blood and are born again of the Holy Spirit and receive eternal life. (Isaiah 53:5-11; John 1:12; John 3; Romans 3:23-24; 10:9-17; I Corinthians 15:3-4). We believe that our Lord was raised from the dead for our justification, according to the Scriptures, in the same body, though glorified, in which He lived and died. His resurrected body is the pattern of that body which at the return of Christ, will be given to all resurrected believers (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:20; Acts 2:32; Romans 4:25; I Corinthians 15:20-23, 42-45; Philippians 3:20-21). We believe that our Lord ascended to heaven, was sealed at His Father’s right hand, assuring us of the perfection of His work of redemption, and that He now, as Head over all things to the church, is engaged on behalf of the saved as Intercessor and Advocate (Ephesians 1:22-23; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 1:2-3, 13; 7:25; I John 2:1). We believe that all who through faith have received the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior are kept by the power of God. (I Peter 1:5; John 10:27-29; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25)
F. The Church
We believe that the Church Universal is the Body and Bride of Christ, a divine organism of which the Lord Jesus Christ is the Head, and that it is composed of all born again believers (Matthew 16:16-18 ; Acts 2:47 , 5:14; John 3:3-7 ; I Peter 1:23; II Corinthians 11:1-2 ; Ephesians 1:22-23; Eph. 5:23) A local church is composed of a group of believers who are officially organized, have duly elected officers, and associate themselves together for such things as corporate worship, the preaching of the Word, celebration of the ordinances, prayer, Christian service and fellowship (Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19-20 ; Acts 2:42; 4:32-37; 6:1-4; 14:23; 20:17; Heb. 10:23-25; 2Tim.4:2;Matt. 18:19, 20, James 5:14, 15, Eph. 6:18)
G. The Ordinances
We celebrate the ordinances of believers Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. (Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19-20)
Baptism:
We believe that those who receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior are instructed to be baptized. The preaching and teaching of the gospel, a profession of faith, followed by baptism is the order of events demonstrated in the New Testament. (Acts 8:36-39; Acts 2:41) We believe in water baptism as a non-saving visible sign of the believer’s personal and intelligent commitment to Christ. (Acts16:31-33; Eph. 2:8, 9) We believe, further, that water baptism symbolizes our death, burial and resurrection in the salvation process, and also proclaims our union and identification with Christ (Romans 6:3-6); and that it is a step of obedience in the process of discipleship (Matthew 28:19-20). Immersion shall be the regular practice of this church, unless circumstances require otherwise.
Infant dedication:
While not a New Testament ordinance, infant dedication falls more into the category of a local church tradition. We encourage this tradition as it affirms the importance of the family and the desire of Christian parents to raise their children to serve and worship God and our Lord Jesus Christ. This also serves to remind the church body of our responsibility to continually pray for and encourage parents and their children in this endeavor (Deut. 6:5-7; Eph. 6:1-4).
The Lord’s Supper:
The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ to be observed until He returns. The broken bread and the cup symbolize the Lord’s broken body and shed blood, and eating and drinking is our remembrance of His suffering and sacrifice for us and in our place (Matthew 26:26-29). We thus commemorate His death and proclaim it to all. Because of its spiritual significance only believers should partake of the elements, and this only after self-examination, assuring one of unhindered fellowship with God (1 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Corinthians11:23-32; 1 John 1:9). It will be our custom to observe the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of each month, unless otherwise announced.
H. The Future
We believe in the personal visible return of Jesus Christ. He will come for His church to gather them unto Himself. (1Thessalonians 4: 13-18) Immediately following the rapture, Believers will be judged at the Bema seat of Christ. (2Cor. 5:10, Rom.14:10-12) Following this Jesus Christ, with His saints, will judge the nations and then establish upon earth His messianic kingdom (Matthew 25:31-46.) This 1000 year reign of Christ on earth is followed by the final white throne judgement. (Rev. 20:4-6; 20: 11-15)We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just to eternal abode in the glory of His presence, and in the bodily resurrection of the unjust unto judgment and everlasting conscious punishment in the Lake of fire (Daniel 7:13-18; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15: 23-25; 51- 52; II Thessalonians 1: 6-10; Rev. 20:4-6; Rev. 20:11-15)
I. Life and Conduct
Separation unto God for Victorious Living:
As those who are being conformed to the image of His Son, God calls us to be holy. This necessarily requires of us a separation unto God in lifestyle, purpose, and ministry (Romans 12:1-2; I Peter 1:14-16; Rom.8:29). Certain simple practices are commended for the experiencing and maintaining of such a life of victory:
- Daily study of the Word of God (John 8:31-32; Acts 17:11; Romans 15:4),
- A consistent prayer life (Luke 18:1; John 14:13-14; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2; I Thessalonians 5:17; Hebrews 4: 14 -16; James 1:5-6),
- Regular assembling together with other believers (Hebrews 10:23-25 ; 1Cor. 14:26)
- Consistent witnessing to others to the end that they might be saved (Matthew 10:32; Mark 1:17; Luke 8:39; John 20:21; Acts 1:8),
- Generous, spirit directed giving, proportionate to God’s blessing (Matthew 10:8; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 9:6-8),
- Some real part in going, praying and giving for the preaching of the gospel in all the world (Luke 24:46-48; Matt. 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15; Acts 13:47).
Separation from Sin:
As new creations in Christ, believers are to consider themselves as dead to all sin as well as abstain from worldliness or entangling alliances with unbelievers as is taught in (2 Cor. 5:17; Colossians Ch. 3; II Corinthians 6:14-7:1; I John 2:15-16; Rom. 6:8-14.) We believe that the child of God should be very careful not to become involved in behaviors that could become harmful to their witness for the cause of Christ, or become a stumbling block to a fellow believer (I Thessalonians 5:22; I Corinthians 8:9; Matthew 18:6; Rom. 14:19) In the process of growing in sanctification, God cannot overlook sin in his children and will, therefore, chasten and correct them in love. (Psalm 94:12; Prov. 3:12; Heb. 12:4-11; John 15:2)