Concerning the Bible
We believe the Bible (Old and New Testament Scripture) is the inspired (God breathed) Word of God. We believe the Bible is inerrant (free of errors) in the original manuscripts. We believe that ‘no Scripture was made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Spirit spoke from God.’ We believe the Bible is the authoritative Word of God and that it alone is the authoritative source for all teaching, correction, reproof and training in righteousness and is the only means in which one is born again and grows in respect to salvation (2Tim. 3:16-17; 1Thes. 2:13; Heb. 4:12 1Cor. 2:14-16: Psalm 19:7-12; 2Pet.1:20-2:3)
Concerning God
We believe in the only one true God eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each being equal in nature and attributes. (Deut. 6:4; Jn 1:1-2, 14-17; 2Cor 13:14; Mt 28:19; Is 48:16)
We believe God spoke the universe into existence from nothing (creation) and sustains all things according to His sovereign purpose and for His own glory, without being the author or approver of sin nor minimizing human responsibility. He saves all from the penalty of sin, who come to Him without any merit of their own, believing His declared condition of man as a sinner and accepting the only remedy through the work of Jesus Christ. (Gen 1:1-34; Exodus 34:6-7; 1Chr 29:11; Ps 103:19; Ps 135:5-6; Acts 17:24-31; Rom 11:36; 1Cor 8:6; Eph 1:3-6, 2:8-9; Heb 4:13; 1Pet 1:17)
God the Son, created all things, holds all things together and in Him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. We believe that in the Incarnation (God the Son becoming the God-Man) that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God. We believe He was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin; whose name was Mary. As such, Jesus Christ is without sin and lived the only sinless life on earth. Jesus is also the only Savior and indeed is the Savior of the world. We believe the Jesus Christ is God. We believe Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, being the Christ and Lord of all. He is also head of the church and it is in Him alone the believers have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Jn 1:14, 4:42; Mt 1:18-25; Phil. 2:5-11, Heb 4:14-15; 2Cor 5:19-21; 1Pet 2:21-22, Col. 1:13-20; 3:2-3)
We believe that Jesus Christ will return to receive the church, which is His Body, unto Himself at the rapture, and returning with His church in glory, will establish His millennial kingdom on earth. (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 20)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the One through whom God will judge all mankind. He will judge believers, living inhabitants of the earth at His glorious return, and unbelieving dead at the Great White Throne. (Matt. 25:31-46; John 5:22-23; Acts 17:30-31; 1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:11-15)
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, eternal, underived, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity, including intellect, emotions, will, eternality, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence, and truthfulness. In all the divine attributes He is coequal and consubstantial with the Father and the Son. (Ps. 139:7-10; Isa. 40:13-14; Jer. 31:31-34; Matt. 28:19; John 16:13; Acts 5:3-4; 28:25-26; Rom. 15:13; 1 Cor. 2:10-13, 12:4-6, 11; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb. 9:14, 10:15-17)
Concerning the Work of Christ
We believe Jesus Christ, the sinless spotless Lamb of God was crucified on the cross, died as the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins and was laid in a tomb. The acceptance of Jesus Christ’s atoning death by God the Father was confirmed by Christ’s bodily resurrection from the grave on the third day. All who repent and believe in Him for the forgiveness of sins are redeemed and declared righteous before God the Father on the basis of Christ’s shed blood, death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. We also believe in Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven, where He currently resides at the Father’s right hand making intercession with God the Father as our advocate for believers. (Mt 27:35, 42-44, 60; Mk 15:15, 46; Mt 28:5-6; Mk 16:5-6; Acts 17:31; Rom 3:24-26, 5:8-10; 1Cor 15:20-22; 1Pet 3:18; Acts 1:9-11, 17:31; Heb 1:18-19, 7:25, 10:12; 1Jn 2:1)
Concerning the Work of the Holy Spirit
We believe God brought forth His Word by His Holy Spirit and that the Holy Spirit uses the Word to convict individuals of sin, their need of the Savior for forgiveness of sin, and eternal judgement if they reject the Savior, Jesus Christ. At conversion, the Holy Spirit places the believer into the body of Christ (the church), and indwells him fully and permanently, setting him apart and empowering him for godly living and service. (Ps 139:7; Jn 14:16-17; Rom 8:9; 1Cor 2:9-16; Eph 1:13)
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine teacher and His work in and through the church is by means of the Word. He will not glorify Himself in His work but will glorify Christ (John 16:13-16, 1John 2:20, 27)
We believe that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with (or controlled by) the Spirit. This is done as the believer renews their minds, allowing the Word to dwell richly in their hearts, submits, trusts (abiding in Christ) and obeys God. We believe that when believers abide in Jesus and His Word abides in them that they will manifest the fruit of this relationship. (John 16:13; Rom. 8:9, 12:1-2; Eph. 1:17-18; 5:18; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; Col 3:16, John 15:1-8; Gal. 5:22-23)
We believe each believer has received a spiritual gift(s) for the common good and is to employ them in serving one another as good stewards of the grace of God (1Cor 12:4-11, Eph. 4:7-12, Romans 12:3-8 1 Peter 4:10-11).
We believe there are two categories of gifts: Speaking and serving gifts. We believe those with speaking gifts are to speak the Word of God and those with serving gifts are to serve with the strength God supplies so that God will be glorified in all things through Christ (1Peter 4:10-11). We believe the foundational and revelatory gifts have ceased and/or been done away with (Eph. 2:19-22, 2Pet. 2;1-2, 1Cor 13:8-10; Heb. 2:3-4).
We believe tongues were for primarily a sign of impending judgment to non-believing Jews for rejecting Christ (1Cor. 14:20-22, Isaiah 28:11, Duet. 28:47-50, Acts 2:1-21) and that having fulfilled their purpose, they have ceased as God said they would (1Cor. 13:8).
We believe that, with the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, Christ being the cornerstone, God has also given the specific gifts of evangelist and pastor teacher for the equipping of the saints to do the work of ministry unto the building up and maturing of the body of Christ with goals of obtaining the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God (Eph. 2:19-22, 4:11-13)
Concerning Man
We believe the first human beings, Adam and Eve, were created sinless and in the image of God, but they disobeyed God (sinned). We believe that because of Adam’s sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God that the human race (Jesus Christ being the only exception) fell, inherited a sinful nature, man lost his innocence, incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death, became subject to the wrath of God, became alienated from God, and became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. Man is therefore hopelessly lost. Thus, man’s salvation is thereby wholly of God’s grace alone through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Gen. 1:26-27, Gen. 2:16-17; 3:1-19; John 3:36; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19; 1 Tim. 2:13-14; 1 John 1:8)
Concerning Salvation
We believe salvation is the gift of God graciously offered to man and revealed in the Gospel. We believe God commands all men to repent of their sins and then believe the gospel. Anyone who thus repents, placing their personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin receives eternal life. This salvation is not the result of any human effort or merit but is by grace. Repentance and faith by itself achieve nothing, rather the object of that faith (Jesus Christ and His substitutionary death for sin) is what has merit. To become a Christian, a person repents and places their trust personally in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. “Whoever will call upon the Lord will be saved”. (Mark 1:15 Luke 24:46-47, Jn 1:12, 10:28-30, 14:16,17; Rom 3:28, 5:12-19, 8:38-39; Eph 2:8-9, 4:30
We believe that everyone who trusts in Jesus for salvation receives the forgiveness of sins. This is accomplished through shed blood (death) of Jesus Christ which brought about the believers’ (those who believe in Jesus) redemption. (Psalm 103:1-12, 32:1-6, 130:3-4, Matthew 26:28; Acts 10:43; 13:38, Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:14)
Concerning Regeneration
We believe that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given. It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God when the repentant sinner, as convicted by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation. (John 3:3-7; 5:24; Tit. 3:5; 1Peter 1:23-25)
Concerning Justification
We believe that justification before God is an act of God by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their sins and confess Him as sovereign Lord. This righteousness is apart from any virtue or work of man and involves the imputation of our sins to Christ and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us. By this means God is enabled to “be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus”. (Isa. 55:6-7; Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; Rom. 2:4; 3:20; 3:26; 4:6; 8:33; 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 1:30; 12:3; 2 Cor. 4:5; 5:21; 7:10; Phil. 2:11; Col. 2:14; 1 Pet. 2:24)
Concerning Sanctification
We believe that every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God at the moment of salvation and is therefore declared to be holy and is identified as a saint by God. This sanctification is positional and instantaneous and should not be confused with progressive sanctification. (Acts 20:32; 1 Cor. 1:2, 30; 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 2:11; 3:1; 10:10, 14; 13:12; 1 Pet. 1:2)
We believe that there is also, by the work of the Holy Spirit, a progressive sanctification by which believers are being conformed to the image of Christ. This happens through the renewal of the mind with the Word of God, complete dependance on Christ, and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, thus the believer is enabled to obey the Word of God and live a life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will of God, becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ. (Roman 12:1-2, Eph 4:20-24, Col 3:10-11; John 15:1-8; 2Cor 3:5; John 17:17, 19; Rom. 6:1-22; 2 Cor. 3:18; 1 Thess. 4:3-4; 5:23).
We understand that sanctification is a process, and all believers continue to struggle with sin from the old nature within and the tempter’s temptation from without. We do not believe sinless perfection can be attained in this life. However, from the moment of salvation, we believe that by the Spirit of God’s work through the written Word, we are to grow in respect to salvation. We also believe when we fail, ‘if we confess our sins He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ and that Jesus Christ the righteous is our advocate with the Father, being the only propitiation (merciful satisfaction) for our sins. (Rom 6:1-11, 7:14-25, 8:11-13; Gal 5:17; Phil 2:12-13; 1Pet 2:2, 2Pet 1:3-4, 3:18; 2The 3:13, 1Jn 1:8-10, 2:1-2)
We believe that every saved person is involved in a daily conflict between the new creation in Christ and the flesh. Yet adequate provision is made for victory through Christ by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit and the Word transforming the heart. The struggle nevertheless stays with the believer all through this earthly life and is never completely ended. All claims to the eradication of sin in this life are unscriptural. Eradication of sin is not possible, but the Holy Spirit does provide for victory over sin. (Gal. 5:16-25; Eph. 4:22-24; Phil. 3:12; Col. 3:9-10; 1 Pet. 1:14-16; 1 John 3:5-9)
Concerning Eternal Security
As salvation is accomplished by the work of Jesus Christ and not of ourselves, a believer cannot lose their salvation, but is kept eternally secure by the sealing of the indwelling Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ’s intercession before God the Father on their behalf. (John 10:28-30, 14:16,17; 8:38-39; 4:30; 1Pet 1:23)
Concerning the Church
We believe that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual Body, the church, of which Christ is the Head. We believe that the church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again believers. (1 Cor. 12:12-13; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:15; 5:23-32; Col. 1:18; Rev. 19:7-8)
We believe that the formation of the church, the Body of Christ, began on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-21 38-47) We believe that the church is made up of all born-again believers in this present age. The church is distinct from Israel and is a mystery not revealed until this age. (1 Cor. 10:32; Eph. 2:11-3:6; 3:1-6, 5:32)
We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament. (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11)
We believe that the head and supreme authority of the church is Jesus Christ, and that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all appointed by His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. We believe the local church is thus to be ruled by Elders, appointed by the Holy Spirit, through being given a desire to oversee by God and meet the biblical requirements found in Scripture as affirmed and appointed by men who also meet those requirements. These elders lead by shepherding the flock of God (feeding them the Word and protecting them from threats to the Word). We believe that these leaders lead or rule as servants of the Chief Shepherd Jesus Christ and have His authority in directing the church. We also believe that within the elders, there are some elders who also preach and teach having the gift of Pastor/ teacher. Elders are assisted by recognized servants (i.e. deacons, deaconesses etc.) when necessary to carry out the ministry. Deacons are not elders and thus have not authority to govern but are simply servants (that is what the word deaconos means). All are selected according to standards expressed by the New Testament. (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:17-32; Romans 16;1-2, Phil. 1:1; Tit. 1:5-9; 1Tim. 3:1-13; 1Tim 5:17; 1Pet. 5:1-5)
We believe in the accountability of all believers to each other, as well as the need for discipline of sinning members of the congregation in accord with the standards of Scripture. (Matt. 18:5-22, 28:19-20; Acts 5:1-11; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 1Thes. 5:12-13; 2Thes. 3:6-15; 1 Tim. 1:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:2; Tit. 1:10-16).
We believe in the responsibility of every believer to highly esteem in love, pray for, voluntarily submit to and obey their godly leaders, who admonish, have charge and watch over their souls and will give an account. (1Thes 5:12-13; 2Thes. 3:1-2; Heb.13:7, 17)
We believe that within the unity of the body of Christ there is a diversity of special abilities given to each believer by God. These abilities (spiritual gifts) enable a believer to function especially well in a particular area of service. (1Pet 4:10-11, Rom 12:3-8; 1Cor 12:1-31; Eph 4:3-6, 11-16)
We recognize water baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper as the Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the church in this age. (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-38; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)
Concerning the Future
We believe in the imminent, visible return of Jesus Christ to rapture His church. At this time, He will bring with Him the souls all church age believers who have died and their bodies will be resurrected. All believers in Jesus Christ that are alive and remain at that time will be glorified and caught up to be with the Lord forever. (1Cor 15:51-53; 1Thes 4:13-18; Tit 2:13)
We believe that those who belong to Jesus, after being resurrected, will appear before the judgment seat of Christ regarding the gain or loss of rewards for the deeds done in the body, then they will reign with Christ in the Millennium and afterwards enjoy the eternal state in a new heavens and earth with God. (Rom 14:10-12, 1Cor 3:10-15, 15:52; 2Cor 5:10, Rev 5:10, Rev 20:4-6, 21:1-8)
We believe in the personal, bodily return of Jesus Christ in power and glory at the end of a seven-year tribulation to save all Israel of that time, to resurrect tribulation and Old Testament saints and establish His kingdom on earth (the Millennium) in which He will reign in righteousness and peace. (Mt 24:30; Acts 1:11, Rom 11:25-26, Is 9:6-7, 11:4-5; Dan 12:2; Rev 20:4-6)
We believe after the millennium, the devil will be thrown into the lake of fire, which was prepared for him and his angels, and along with the beast and the false prophet, he will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10)
We believe that those who never trusted in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins will be resurrected unto judgment, will be judged by Jesus at the Great white throne judgment and then to suffer eternal separation from God and punishment in the lake of fire forever (the second death). (Jn 5:28-29; Acts 17:31; Rev 20:12-15)