What We Believe
Scriptures
We believe the 66 books of the Bible constitute the Word of God written and comprise our sole authority for faith and practice. In addition, we believe that men of God who were guided and directed by the Hoy Spirit wrote the Scriptures. As such, we believe Scriptures are entirely trustworthy and without error in the original intent. They represent the complete revelation of God's will for the salvation of people and the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life. (Matthew.5:18; John 10:35; 2 Timothy. 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
God
We believe God is the only true Father of all, eternal, immutable, omnipotent, moniscient, omnipresent. He is creator of heaven and earth, sustainer of the universe and source of man's salvation. As a church, we affirm the oneness of God and the full divinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:29; 1Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1John 4:8)
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is completely human. We believe He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary in His incarnation. He lived a sinless life, died as a perfect sacrifice for our sins, was buried, and rose bodily from the dead. He ascended into heaven, was exalted by the Father and now intercedes as our High Priest. (Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1,14; Romans 1:2-4; 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Peter 2:22; 3:18; 1 John 3:5; 5:20)
The Holy Spirit
We believe He is co-equal with the Father and the Son, who glorifies the Lord Jesus, convicts people of sin, gives new life to the believing sinner, and indwells all Christians. He guides, instructs, empowers, and gives spiritual gifts to believers for godly living, for service in building up the Body of Christ and for evangelism. (John 14:16-17,26; 16:7-14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 12:11; Galatians 5:22,23)
Salvation
We believe that salvation of God is received only by grace through faith in the finished cross work of the Lord Jesus, and is not because of someone's works or efforts. (John 1:12-13; and Ephesians 2:8-10)
Ordinances
We believe in two ordinances of the Church:
1. Believer's Baptism by immersion, as testimony of the believer's obedience to Christ. This is not a prerequisite or requirement for salvation. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:36-38)
2. Communion (The Lord's Supper) is to be observed as a memorial for our Lord's death on the cross for us (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
The Church
We believe the Church is both an organism and an organization. As an ogranism it incoporates all true believers in Jesus Christ as a priesthood of believers. As an organization it is shepherded by leaders who are directly accountable to Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd. (1 Peter 2:9-10; and 5:1-4)
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ will return personally to take all Christians to be with Himself forever. His Second Coming will be in power and glory. This event is the hope of the Church, because it inaugurates the resurrection of the dead and the reward of the righteous. (John 14:23; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:23-25; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; and Revelation 1:7)