What We Believe
- In all matters, the Word of God supersedes the word of man. (Acts 4:19; 5:29)
- The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority for Christian faith and life. (II Tim. 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21)
- In One God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; Jn. 17:3; Rev. 4:11)
- That Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into Heaven, where at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He now is our High Priest and advocate. (Matt. 1:15-18; Lk. 1:35; Jn. 1:1; Phil. 2:6-9; Heb. 7:25-27)
- That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to convict men of sin, righteousness, and judgment, grant faith and regeneration to the lost, indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service. (Jn. 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8)
- That man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin and is therefore lost; and only through repentance toward God and faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ can he be saved. (Gen. 1:26-27, 3:1-24; Jn. 3:3-7; Acts 20:21; Rom. 3:21-26, 5:12, 6:23; 1 Cor. 6:9-11, 15:2-4; I Tim. 1:9-16)
- That the shed blood of Jesus Christ and HIs resurrection provide the only grounds for justification and salvation for all who believe and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and thus become children of God. (Is. 53; Jn. 1:11-13; Rom. 5:1, 8:10; I Cor, 15:1-4)
- That water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances to be observed by the church during the present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as a means of salvation. (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:41-42; I Cor. 11:23-29)
- That the true Church is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ are united in the Body of Christ, of which He is the head. (Matt. 16:16-18; Acts 2:23-47; Eph. 1:22-23, I Cor. 12:12-24)
- That only those who are thus members of the true Church shall be eligible for membership in the local church. (Acts 2:1; I Cor. 1:2, 12:13)
- That Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church, and that every local church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs. (Acts 20:17-28; Eph. 1:22, Col. 1:18)
- In the personal premillennial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this “Blessed Hope” has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. (Acts 1:11; I Cor. 15:51-52; I Thess. 1:10. 4:5-9, 13-18; Tit. 2:13-14)
- In the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment. (Matt. 25:46; Jn. 5:28-29; I Corn. 15; Rev. 20:10-15)
- We believe that Satan is a created being, that originally he was perfect; but fell through pride and rebellion against God; that he is the untiring archenemy of God, and of the souls of men; that he is malicious, deceptive and a counterfeiter of the works of God; that he is the prince of this world, and heads up a host of wicked spirits and shall, some day, with them and all of his followers, be cast into the lake of fire to be tormented forever. However, for Christians who are saved by the Grace of God, Satan was defeated when Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again! (Jn 12:31-33; I Cor. 15:1-4)
- Man’s sexual identity is established and defined by God as male or female at conception: God’s design for marriage is one man, married to one woman, until separated by death. (Gen. 1:27, 2:24; Ps. 139:13-15; Matt. 19:4-6)