WHAT WE BELIEVE

THE BIBLE IS THE AUTHORITATIVE WORD OF GOD 

The Bible is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writings, it is inspired, infallible, and inerrant. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25-26)

There Is One God

We believe He is eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and co-eternal. (1 John 5:7; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 3:7-11)

Jesus Christ Is The Son Of God

We believe He is the second person of the Trinity. On Earth, Jesus was 100% man. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind, and thus atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory. (John 1:1,14, 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5,6; 1 Timothy 2:5)

Jesus Christ Was Born Of A Virgin Birth

We believe He was conceived by God the Father, through the Holy Spirit (the third person of the Trinity); therefore, He is the Son of God. (Matthew 1:18, 23-25; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 7:14)

Man Was Created Good And Upright

We believe by voluntary transgression, man fell. His only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21)

Salvation

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is a free gift from God available to anyone and everyone, and it is not a result of our good works or any human efforts. (Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-10; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 1:16, 10:9-10; Acts 4:12, 16:31; Hebrews 9:22)

The Blood Of Jesus

His blood is sinless and is 100% sufficient to cleanse mankind of all sin. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be free from the penalty of sin, which is death. (1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 5:9; Colossians 1:20; Romans 3:10-12, 23, 5:9; John 1:29)

The Holy Spirit Was Given At Pentecost

The Holy Spirit is the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after His ascension, to empower the Church to bring the Gospel message to the whole Earth. (Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5, 2:1-4, 17, 38-39, 8:14-17, 10:38, 44-47, 11:15-17, 19:1-6)

The Holy Spirit Is Manifested Through A Variety Of Spiritual Gifts

To build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the gospel. The Bible’s lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of biblical parameters. (Hebrews 2:4; Romans 1:11, 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:16; 2 Timothy 1:5-16, 4:14; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 14:1-40; 1 Peter 4:10)

Jesus Christ Was Physically Resurrected

Jesus was resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. In addition, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; they that are saved to the resurrection of life and they that are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation. (Luke 24:16, 36, 39; John 2:19-21, 20:26-28, 21:4; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:42, 44; Philippians 1:21-23, 3:21)

Heaven Is The Eternal Dwelling Place

Heaven is for all believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 5:3, 12, 20, 6:20, 19:21, 25:34; John 17:24; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; 1 Peter 1:4)

Tithe

Tithe is for all believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 5:3, 12, 20, 6:20, 19:21, 25:34; John 17) This principle is discussed throughout the Bible. Tithing (also referred to as the “first fruits”), giving God the first 10% of our income to the local church, is the primary practical way we acknowledge that God is first in our lives. (Proverbs 3:9; 10:24; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; 1 Peter 1:4)

 

GOD’S PLAN

We believe that God revealed His Great Commission and plan for the churches in the epistles, and that the Apostles expected the churches to follow their instructions. (Ephesians 3:1-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6; 1 Timothy 3:14-16; 2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:2; 3:9-10; Jude 3, 17, Acts 1:8; 13:1-4; 14:19-23; 20:28-32; 1 Timothy 3:14-16; Titus 1:5-9)

 

Ordinances

BAPTISM

We believe that once one has identified with Christ, special care should be exercised to see that the believer is baptized and becomes a vital, functioning member of a body of Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 10:44-48; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31)

Communion

We believe that each believer should celebrate the Lord’s Supper regularly. This will serve as a way of remembering his identity with Christ, as one whose sins are forgiven and in a covenant relationship with God. This is also a way of remembering his identity with Christ’s body, the Church, and as one who is to live in fellowship with the church. (1 Corinthians 11:17-34)

BIBLICAL AUTHORITY

We believe that all matters concerning the life and beliefs of the churches are to be settled by the Word of God. Though the churches are to be guarded and protected by elders and men gifted as pastors and teachers, all are subject to the authority of the biblical text. (1 Timothy 4:1-16; 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:14-15; 3:16; 4:1-4; Titus 1:5-16; 2:1, 15; 2 Peter 3:14-18; Jude 3, 17)

1. Each believer must be committed to do his part, both generally in one-another ministry and specifically in the use of his gifts in the building up of the church. (Romans 12:3-16; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6)