What We Believe

We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness
of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

Concerning the Scripture
We believe God breathed out the original writings of both the Old and New Testaments to human
writers by means of the Holy Sprit, who chose the words employed according to the personality
and background of the human author. We believe that these writings were without error and are
of supreme and final authority in the lives of believers in any age. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Concerning God
We believe that there is but one true God, who eternally exists as three distinct persons, Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, who exclusively share in the work of creation, maintenance of the universe,
redemption and judgment. (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Concerning Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Eternal Son - who entered the human race, conceived by the
Holy Spirit, born of the virgin, Mary, and that He is fully God and fully man. He lived a life of perfect
obedience to the Father and voluntarily fulfilled the will of God by laying down His life as the
atoning sacrifice for humanity's sin. Having fully satisfied Divine justice, He achieved salvation for all
who place their trust in Him. Raised from the dead by God, He ascended to heaven and is currently
interceding for His own, awaiting His return to consummate God's kingdom and redemptive plan.
(Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5; Romans 1:3-4)

Concerning the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as 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. The maturing Christian seeks to live under His control daily.
(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; John 14:16-17)

Concerning Humanity
We believe that Man was created in the image of God, but was separated from God because of
Adam's sin. As a result the image of God in Man became damaged - defaced, but not erased.
Therefore, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and are unable to function in moral
responsibility before God. We need spiritual regeneration before we can become what God
meant us to be. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1-2; Romans 3:23)

Concerning Salvation
We believe that Jesus died upon the cross as a sinless substitute for sinners of all ages and times,
and that the Father was thus, by means of the Spirit, reconciling the world to Himself. All who
receive the risen Jesus as Lord, by grace through faith, are spiritually born into permanent
membership in the family of God. (Romans 5:1; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; 1:12; Titus 3:5;
Galatians 3:26)

Concerning the Christian Life
We believe the Christian life is a transformation, in which Christ Himself lives His life through the
believer. All Believers are still capable of responding to the urges of the flesh, and when they do
so they do not please God. They can choose, rather, to rely continually upon the indwelling Holy
Spirit's power and love, thus glorifying and pleasing the Father. The maturing Christian seeks to live
under His control daily. (Romans 6:15-18; 8:1-2, 9-11; 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, 18; 5:17;
Ephesians 1:13; 2:10; 5:1, 3-10; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; Galatians 5:25)

Concerning the Church
We believe there is one true Church universal, consisting of all who recognize Jesus Christ as Savior
and Lord. The body of Christ finds expression as local churches where those who have been
regenerated by the Spirit come together. Operating under the direction of Jesus as Lord and
Head of His body and through Godly servant leadership, believers devote themselves to worship,
prayer, teaching of the Word, observance of baptism and communion, fellowship, service to the
body, and outreach to the lost. (Matthew 16:18; 28:18-20; Acts 2:42-47; 20:28; 1
Corinthians 12:7-12; Ephesians 4:7,11-13)

Concerning the Resurrection and the Future
We believe in the imminent, bodily and visible return of Jesus Christ to this earth to bring to
completion His redemptive and kingdom plan. All people who have died will be raised from the
dead, and those who have been redeemed will participate in eternal life in the presence of the
God, but those who have rejected Christ will suffer eternal punishment and separation from God.
(1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Matthew 25: 31, 34, 41; 1 Corinthians 15:50-56;
1 Thessalonians 5:1-2, 3-4, 8 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 8-10 ; Revelation 3:5; 20:12; Revelations 21:1-5)