What We Believe

This doctrinal statement is not intended to summarize all the truth of the Bible but rather, it is intended to summarize fundamental and basic truths.

The Scriptures – Every word of the original manuscripts of the Bible is inspired by God, infallible and without error, and therefore serves as our final authority for our faith and practice. (II Timothy 3:16,17; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Peter 1:19-21; Isaiah 55:10,11; I Corinthians 4:6).

The Godhead – There is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-equal in power and glory. (I Timothy 2:5; II Corinthians 13:14; I Timothy 3:16; Matthew 28:19,20; Jn 1:14; Acts 5:3,4; John 1:18).

Father – The Father is an eternal being (Psalm 90:2) and a distinct member of the triune Godhead. He is:  Father over all creation (Acts 17:29); Father of the nation of Israel (Exodus 4:22); the Father and Sender of Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:17, Jn 3:16); and the Father of believers in Christ (Galatians 3:26). He is the author of the decree (Psalm 2:7-91) and of election (Ephesians 1:3-6); and the disciplinarian of His children (Hebrews 12:9).

Jesus Christ – Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God; fully God and fully man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He led a sinless life on this earth. He voluntarily died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, was buried, and arose from the dead and ascended into heaven where he intercedes for all people who call upon Him. (John 5:20; John 20:28; Titus 2:13; Matthew 3:16,17; Hebrews 1:8; John 5:17-23;10:33)

Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. At conversion, He regenerates, indwells, seals, and baptizes all born-again believers into the body of Christ. He increasingly conforms those who yield to Him to the image of Christ and empowers them for spiritual service. (Acts 5:3,4; John 6:63; II Corinthians 3:18; Titus 3:5; John 16:8-11; I Corinthians 3:16; I Corinthians 6:19,20; Ephesians 4:30; I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 5:18; Romans 8:2; Galatians 5:22,23; Romans 8:14,25; I John 2:27)

Satan – Satan is a personal being, an angel who, because of pride and disobedience towards God, was exiled from the presence of God. He is the unholy god and the ruler of the powers of darkness, the arch enemy of man’s acceptance of Christ. His final destiny is defeat and eternal condemnation to the lake of fire along with all who have not received Christ as their personal Savior. (Matthew 13:19,39; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Isaiah 14:12-17)

Man – By His Word alone, God created man in His own image in a special act of creation that was separate and distinct from any of His other works. In Adam, all mankind fell into sin. Consequently all people are born sinners, separated from God, and without hope, apart from the grace of God. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 119:73; II Peter 3:5-7; Romans 5:12,13; Revelation 4:11).

Salvation – Salvation is individual and cannot be earned by human works. It is received by the grace of God through faith in Christ and is the free and unmerited gift of God. The born-again believer is justified because of his new relationship in Christ, and sanctified through the redemptive work of Christ and the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit. All who are born of God are eternally secure in Him and will share eternal glory in heaven with Christ. (John 3:16, John 3:36; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Matthew 7:13,14; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 3:3; I John 5:1)

The True Church – The True Church, whose head is Jesus Christ, is universal and timeless, consisting of all born-again people of all ages. The local church is a congregation of professed believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ. Born-again believers are governed by His laws, and exercise the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Spirit as set forth in His Word, and seek to extend the Gospel to the ends of the earth. All born-again members of the local church are eternal members of the body of Christ, the True Church. (Matthew 16:15-19)

Return of Christ – The physical return of Jesus Christ is certain and imminent and is the blessed hope of the True Church. (I Thessalonians 4:13-17; I Corinthians 15:51-58; Titus 2:13)