We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, that He was conceived and born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and sacrificed Himself to be punished in substitution for sinners. By the blood of His cross and His resurrection from the dead, He obtained for us eternal redemption, the forgiveness of sins, and life everlasting. He was raised bodily and ascended to the right hand of the Father. He will return to the earth personally and visibly to consummate His kingdom. Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1-18; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:10-14; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 1:15-23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11;Hebrews 7:25; 9:13-15; 10:19; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 John 2:1-2.

We believe in the Holy Spirit: Who is the third Person of the Trinity and the divine agent in nature, revelation and redemption; Who convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment; Who regenerates, indwells, baptizes, seals and anoints all who become children of God through Christ; Who further empowers, guides, teaches, sanctifies and fills believers who daily surrender to Him. Joel 2:28; Matthew 3:11; John 1:12-13; Acts 1:8; Acts 8:14-16; John 7:37-39; Romans 8:9; 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 14:29; Eph 1:13-14; 5:18.

We believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. No ritual, work, or any other activity is required in order to be saved. This saving grace of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, also sanctifies us by enabling us to do what is pleasing in God’s sight in order that we might be progressively conformed to the image of Christ. We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. John 1:12-13; 6:37-44; 10:25-30; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 3-4; 8:1-17,31-39; 10:8-10; 1 Corinthians 1:4–8; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Titus 3:3-7; 1 Peter 1:5; 1 John 1:7,9.

We believe that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are to be observed until the time of Christ’s return. They are not a means of salvation. Baptism in water is by immersion and a direct commandment of our Lord for believers only. Water baptism is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in death, burial and resurrection. Matthew 26:26-29; 28:19; Acts 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-11; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34; Col 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21.

We believe that the church is God’s primary instrument through which He is fulfilling His redemptive purposes in the earth. To equip the saints for the work of ministry, God has given apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic, pastoral and teaching gifts to the church. We also affirm the priesthood of all believers and the importance of every Christian being joined with and actively involved in a local community of the saints. God has called the church to preach the gospel to all nations, and to make disciples through teaching them all that Christ has commanded.. We believe that the church should reach out in to the local community and to share the love of Christ with those in need. Matthew 16:17-19; Acts 2:17-18,42; Ephesians 3:14-21; 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Peter 2:4-5,9-10.

OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

In Essential Beliefs – We Have Unity

“There is one Body and one Spirit…..there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all….” Ephesians 4:4-6

In Nonessential Beliefs – We Have Liberty

“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters….Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his master he stands or falls….So then each of us will give an account of himself to God….So whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:1,4,12,22

In All Our Beliefs – We Show Love

“If I have in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have faith that can move mountains-but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” 1Corinthians 13:2 (Ph)

THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE

About God: God is the Creator Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. Genesis 1:1,26-27,3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2, 2 Corinthians 13:14.

About Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead, after three days, to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as the Kings of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Tim 6:14,15; Titus 2:13.

About The Holy Spirit: The Holy Sprit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Gal 5:25; Ephesians 5:18.

About The Bible: The Bible is God’s word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of the truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5.

About Human Beings: People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2.

About Salvation: Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1.

About Eternal Security: Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose it”. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. John 10:28,29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1Peter 1:3-5

About Eternity: People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2::7-9.

About The Return of Christ: We believe that the imminent rapture of the church is the next event to occur according to prophecy. Christ’s coming for his church as outlined in 1Thess. 4:13-18 and 1Cor. 15:51,52 will announce the beginnings of Daniel’s Seventieth week (Dan. 9:24-27), which includes, ” The time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7), The Great Tribulation and the battle of Armageddon. At the close of the great Tribulation period, Christ will establish His earthly kingdom and occupy the throne of His Father David (Luke 1:32; Isaiah 9:6,7; Acts 2:29,30) and reign for one thousand years (Rev. 20:1-6). At the close of the Millennium, Satan will be loosed to deceive (Rev.20:8). Fire from God out of heaven will end this battle (Rev.20:9). After this, the Great White Throne Judgment occurs. All the wicked dead of all ages appear before this throne. (Rev. 20:11-15)