- The Bible — We believe the Holy Bible, in its original form, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testament, is inspired by God, written by holy men moved by the Holy Spirit, and is a treasure of heavenly instruction. We believe that it is authored by God and is the supreme and final authority of faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
- God — We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God; an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, the Maker, and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalms 147:5) We believe that there is one God, existing in the trinity form of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:21-22)
- Jesus Christ — We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal and only begotten Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true man. (Luke 1:30-35; John 3:16) We believe that Jesus died on the cross as a sinless substitute sacrifice for the sins of the entire world, thereby satisfying God's righteous judgment against sin. (1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1 John 2:1-2) After His death, He rose bodily from the grave, ascended to the Father, and now intercedes for those who trust Him. (1 John 2:1)
- The Holy Spirit — The Holy Spirit is the Third Person in the Godhead, who regenerates, indwells, baptizes, and seals all believers in Christ, and fills those yielded to God. (Acts 5:3-4; Matthew 28:19; John 3:3-7; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 6:19, 23:13; Ephesians 2:1-3)
- Man — We believe that man was created in the image of God and under His law; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state, in consequence of which all people are now sinners, being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God. (Genesis 1:27; Romans 5:19)
- Salvation — We believe that salvation is the gift of grace by the work of the Holy Spirit, freely bestowed upon all who put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary, apart from human meritorious work; that at regeneration, all believers in this age are also indwelt by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption; that those who are genuine believers are eternally saved and persevere. (Romans 3:21-28; 5:1, 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 2:7-8, 4:30)
- Sanctification — We believe that sanctification is a threefold process: Positionally, the believer was sanctified at conversion by virtue of uniting with Christ. Progressively, he or she is continually being sanctified through the Word as they walk in the Spirit thereby overcoming the lusts of the flesh and producing the fruit of the Spirit. Ultimately, he or she will be completely transformed to the image of Christ when they see their Savior face-to-face. (John 17:17; Hebrews 10:14; 1 John 3:1-13)
- The Church — We believe that the church is the body of Christ, composed of all who are born again during this age of grace, which began at Pentecost and will be terminated at the rapture, that this church universal is to gather together as local churches after the pattern of the New Testament doctrine and practice, including the observance of the ordinances of water baptism and the Lord's Supper, and that God performs the ministry of His church through its members to whom He has given gifts for the purpose of edifying the body of Christ. (Acts 2:1-47; Romans 12:1-31; Ephesians 1:22-23)
- Spiritual Gifts — We believe that the exercises of spiritual gifts is essential for edifying the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-16) However, certain gifts were meant to be temporary in nature until they served their purpose. These gifts include apostle, prophet, tongues, interpretation of tongues, and gifts of healing. (Ephesians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:4; 1 Corinthians 14:20-22)
- The Great Commission — We believe that the Great Commission of evangelism and discipleship was given to the Church collectively and to each Christian, and our mission is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity and the discipling of those who come to Christ in faith. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)
- Resurrection — We believe that on the basis of Christ's victory over death, that both believers and unbelievers will be resurrected bodily in their own order; the saved unto everlasting bliss, the lost unto everlasting and conscious punishment. (1 Corinthians 15:1-50; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:11-15, 21-22; Daniel 12:1-3; John 5:25-29; John 20:1-29; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 1:3)
- Ordinances — We believe there are two ordinances instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ to be observed by all believers until His return: baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism is the outward testimony of the inward spiritual transformation in the life of one who has trusted Christ for salvation. The Lord's Supper is a commemoration of His death to be observed regularly by all self-examined believers. The elements are used as symbols of the Lord's body and blood. (1 Corinthians 11:23-28)
- Angels — Angels were originally created holy, but now exist as unfallen and fallen beings, including Satan. (Job 38:6-7; Psalms 148:2, 5; Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew 25:41; Ephesians 6:11-12; Colossians 1:16; 1 Timothy 5:21; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 12:9)
- Eschatology — We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will come again personally and bodily, that first He will come in the air prior to the seven-year tribulation to receive the church, His body, unto Himself in heaven, and that following the literal fulfillment of the Great Tribulation spoken by the prophets, He will return visibly to the earth with His saints to inaugurate His millennial kingdom of peace and righteousness. (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-59; 2 Peter 3:1-13; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:1-6)
DOCTRINAL BELIEFS
