OUR BELIEFS:
We believe this Statement of Faith to be an accurate summary of what Scripture teaches. These are our essential doctrines. Other issues that are non-essentials shall come together in Christian love and unity within this church community. We recognize the validity of various viewpoints on non-essentials. We encourage people to refrain from advocating doctrines that are not included in the Statement of Faith in such a way as to cause dissensions.
THE BIBLE;
The Bible, all 66 books, though written by men, was supernaturally inspired by God; thus making it inerrant and infallible. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21
THE TRINITY;
There is one God, an infinite Spirit, creator, and sustainer of all things, who exists eternally in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence but distinct in person and function. Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 11:6-7; 1 John 5:6-8
GOD, THE FATHER;
We believe that the Father, who is co-equal with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, sovereignly orders and directs the universe for His own purpose, pleasure, and grace. He has decreed all things that come to pass for His own glory. He graciously involves Himself in the affairs of mankind, hears and answers prayer and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. Matthew 6:9; Ephesians 1:3-6
GOD, THE SON;
The Lord Jesus Christ is co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit, eternally begotten from the Father. He is totally God and totally man. He was conceived by the virgin Mary through a miracle of the Holy Spirit. He lives forever as perfect God and perfect man: two distinct natures inseparably united in one person.
Luke 1:26-45, 2:1-7; John 1:1-14
GOD, THE SPIRIT'
The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and Jesus Christ. 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 believers spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 12:13; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:1
THE GOSPEL;
The Gospel is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, along with the promised and anticipated Kingdom of God, which is able to save the vilest sinner.
Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
SALVATION;
Salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his/her life by faith.
John 1:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19
ORDINANCES;
The Scriptural ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are for all believers in Christ.
Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 8:12, 26-38; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH;
The mission of the Church is to globally evangelize the world with the life-changing power of the Gospel and God’s grace, which is evident through conversion and discipleship.
Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 1:14-16, 12:1-2
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE;
Christians are called to a holy life of service and testimony in the power of the Holy Spirit, which service includes the propagation of the Gospel message to the whole world. There is promised reward in heaven for faithfulness in such service.
Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 3:12-17; 1 Peter 1:1-16
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; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15
Social Issues:
We are frequently asked to bring clarity to our position on these issues. We are aware there are many sins GOD desires to protect us from — racism, prejudice, gluttony, sexual promiscuity, adultery, etc. This is our attempt to address the complex social issues that surface most often in our setting. As you consider these, remember that we are all equally in need of God’s grace.
Pro-Life;
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect and value all human life. Psalm 139:13-16
Marriage;
We believe that God created marriage to be exclusively the union between one man and one woman, and that sexual intimacy is to occur exclusively within that union.
Genesis 2:24, Jeremiah 29:6, Isaiah 62:5, Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13
Identity;
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female, and that these two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. We believe that gender is assigned by God at conception and revealed at birth and the Holy Scripture does not permit an individual to alter their sexual identity physically or otherwise. Genesis 1:27