what we believe

We Believe:

Scripture is true, authoritative and sufficient.
There is only one true God, Creator of heaven and earth, who eternally exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
All things exist for the glory of God.
All humanity—Christ excluded—is sinful by both birth and action.
The deserved penalty for sin is physical and spiritual death.
Jesus is the eternal Son of God, was born of a virgin and is both fully God and fully human.
Jesus died as the sacrificial substitute to pay the penalty for sin.
Jesus physically rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and will one day physically return.
There will be a future physical resurrection of the dead. Only those who turn from sin to Jesus in faith and repentance will be raised to eternal reward. Those who do not turn from sin to Jesus will be raised to eternal punishment.
Only through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ and repentance from sin can one be reconciled to God and experience true life and joy.

God

We believe that there is one true God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each Person of the trinity is equal and each has a distinct ministry in relation to God’s creation and purpose.
Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 43:3; 1 John 5:7

The Father – God the Father loves the world. He sent His Son into the world to save sinners. He raised Jesus from the dead, exalted Him – putting all things under His power — and together with Him has sent the Holy Spirit.

Luke 3:22; John 3:16; 1 John 4:14; Ephesians 1:5; 1 Peter 1:21; Phil. 2:9-11; John 14:26

The Son – God the Son became God in the flesh as Jesus the Messiah. Jesus is fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life. He voluntarily atoned for the sins of all by dying on the cross as their substitute. He rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of the Father, where He, the only Mediator between God and man, continually makes intercession for His own. He will return as King of kings and Lord of lords to set up His earthly Kingdom.

John 1:1; John 1:14; Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 7:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21;
1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 7:25; Revelation 22:12-13; Romans 8:1-3; Colossians 1:13-22; John 1:1-18

The Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. The Holy Spirit glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ in all that He does. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. At the moment of salvation He regenerates, baptizes, indwells, gifts and empowers for Christ-like living and service.

John 16:8-15; Titus 3:5-6; 1 Corinthians 12:11; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 8:9-14;
Galatians 5:22-25

Mankind

Human beings are created in the image of God. The first humans, Adam and Eve, were disobedient to the will of God with the consequence that every aspect of their human nature became sinful and corrupt. Thus, being spiritually dead, they became subject to physical death and the power of Satan. The image of God is distorted in all humanity, with the exception of Jesus, as we inherit a sinful nature at conception. Therefore we are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God and under His condemnation.

Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:6; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 3:9-10;
Psalms 51:5; John 3:36; Romans 5:12-14

salvation

Redemption is accomplished solely by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was made to be sin and died in our place as an acceptable sacrifice to God. His atoning death is sufficient for all and effective for every person who repents and believes in Him, resulting in a reconciled relationship with God.

Salvation is available by grace through faith. This salvation is not our own doing. It is the gift of God. Salvation includes being declared righteous by God [justification], being transformed into the likeness of Christ [sanctification], and being fully restored to the image of God [glorification]. This Salvation which includes our new birth and eternal inheritance is kept by God’s power. It is therefore impossible for the saved to lose their salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:6-10; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:1; John 17:17-19; 1 John 3:2; Romans 8:30; John 5:24; John 10:27-30; Romans 8:28-39; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 Timothy 4:10

eternity

We believe in and expectantly await the glorious, visible, personal, return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The blessed hope of His return has vital bearing on the personal life, service, and mission of the believer. God will physically raise the dead and judge the world. We believe in a literal Heaven and a literal Hell. The unsaved will be cast into the lake of fire to suffer eternal conscious punishment. The saved of all ages will be with the Lord God for all eternity.

Matthew 24:36; Acts 1:7; Mark 13:26; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 14:1-3;
Revelation 20:1-15; Revelation 14:11; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; Revelation 21:1;
Revelation 22:1-5

the church

The Church consists of all the redeemed who are united by the Holy Spirit in the Body of Christ, of which Jesus is the Head. Local assemblies of believers are visible representations of the Church that gather regularly for the purpose of worship, which includes instruction in the Word, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.

The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances: Believer’s Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Though not the means of salvation, these ordinances testify of the gospel.

The Church has been entrusted with the task of global discipleship as found in the Great Commission.

Matthew 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28; Luke 22:19-20; Romans 6:3; Matthew 28:19-20

The Scriptures

The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the complete Word of God. As originally given, it is verbally inspired, without error, and entirely trustworthy. Scripture, therefore, speaks with the full authority of God while reflecting the backgrounds, styles, and vocabularies of the human authors. The Bible constitutes supreme authority in all matters of faith, teaching, and behavior. The Bible has Jesus Christ as its focus and fulfillment.

2 Peter 1:16-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Luke 24:27; Matthew 5:17-18