The Scriptures
We believe the Holy Scriptures, consisting of the sixty-six canonical books of the Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God. We believe this inspiration to be verbal (extending to every word), plenary (equally in all parts), inerrant, and infallible in the original writings. We believe that God has providentially preserved His Word. We believe that the Scriptures are our sufficient and final authority in the church and in the life of the believer.
(II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:19-21; John 10:35; 17:17; Matthew 5:18; Psalm 19:7-11)
(II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:19-21; John 10:35; 17:17; Matthew 5:18; Psalm 19:7-11)
The True God
We believe that there is only one sovereign, true, and living God, that He is the Creator, and that He is infinite in every excellence.
We believe that in the unity of the Godhead there are three distinct persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
These three persons exist eternally and are one in substance and equal in every Divine perfection. These three persons are distinct in their relationships and functions, and yet one in essence.
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Exodus 20:2-3; John 1:1; Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:13)
We believe that in the unity of the Godhead there are three distinct persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
These three persons exist eternally and are one in substance and equal in every Divine perfection. These three persons are distinct in their relationships and functions, and yet one in essence.
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Exodus 20:2-3; John 1:1; Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:13)
The Lord Jesus Christ
We believe in the absolute Deity and full humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity, very God of very God, existing from all eternity with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin and exists today as the God-man, possessing two natures in one person. He lived a sinless life and died for our redemption. He physically rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and is now at the right hand of the Father as our Intercessor and only Mediator.
(John 1:1-4; Hebrews 1:1-3; Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:23; I Timothy 2:5; II Corinthians 5:21; Luke 24:46-47; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 4:14-16)
He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin and exists today as the God-man, possessing two natures in one person. He lived a sinless life and died for our redemption. He physically rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and is now at the right hand of the Father as our Intercessor and only Mediator.
(John 1:1-4; Hebrews 1:1-3; Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:23; I Timothy 2:5; II Corinthians 5:21; Luke 24:46-47; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 4:14-16)
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Divine third person in the Godhead. The Holy Spirit was actively involved in the work of creation and the inspiration of the Scripture, and He restrains the work of Satan. He convicts men of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He is the agent of regeneration, imparting new life to the redeemed. Many operations of the Holy Spirit occur or begin at the moment of salvation, such as the indwelling, sealing, baptizing, and gifting. We believe that some gifts were foundational (tongues, interpretation of tongues, healing, prophecy) for the establishment of the Church and have ceased. We believe that the Holy Spirit teaches, guides, assures, and prays for the believer. The filling of the Spirit is an essential part of progressive sanctification where we become more and more like Christ.
(Acts 5:3-4; II Corinthians 13:14; Genesis 1:2; II Timothy 3:16; II Thessalonians 2:6-8; John 16:8-11; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 4:30; I Corinthians 12:13; I Corinthians 13; John 14:26; Romans 8:16, 26-27; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 8:29)
(Acts 5:3-4; II Corinthians 13:14; Genesis 1:2; II Timothy 3:16; II Thessalonians 2:6-8; John 16:8-11; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 4:30; I Corinthians 12:13; I Corinthians 13; John 14:26; Romans 8:16, 26-27; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 8:29)
Satan
We believe that Satan is a personal being who opposes the work of God. He is the spiritual being that instigated man’s fall in the garden. He is described in the Scriptures as the god of this age, the accuser of the brethren, and the prince of this world. Satan and his demons possess great power, but they are limited by the sovereign will of God. Satan will ultimately be cast into the lake of fire.
(Matthew 4:1-12; Genesis 3:1-7; II Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:10; John 16:11; Ephesians 6:12; Job 2:1-6; Revelation 20:10)
(Matthew 4:1-12; Genesis 3:1-7; II Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:10; John 16:11; Ephesians 6:12; Job 2:1-6; Revelation 20:10)
Creation
We believe that God created the heavens and earth out of nothing by His word in six 24-hour days as described in Genesis. The Scriptures teach that all three members of the Trinity were involved in the creation. We believe that this creation was exactly as described in the Genesis account and not by any process of evolution.
(Genesis 1-2; Romans 11:36; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17; Genesis 1:2)
(Genesis 1-2; Romans 11:36; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17; Genesis 1:2)
Man
We believe that man was created in the image of God, without sin, on the sixth day. We believe there are only two genders, male and female, which are assigned at birth. Since man is made in the image of God, all human life is sacred. Therefore, we are opposed to abortion and euthanasia. Although man was created in innocence, he deliberately chose to sin, plunging all of mankind into spiritual and physical death. Therefore, the entire human race sinned in Adam. The consequence of this fact is that all men are totally depraved and inheritors of Adam’s fallen nature and are under the just condemnation of God. All people are incapable of pleasing God and incurably sinners by nature and choice. Therefore, man is utterly unable to redeem himself from the bondage of sin and is under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
(Genesis 1:27; 3:1-24; Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:22-23; Deuteronomy 32:39; Romans 5:12-19; Romans 3:10-19; I Corinthians 15:22; Psalm 51:5; Hebrews 11:6; Jeremiah 17:9; James 1:13-15; Ephesians 2:1-3)
(Genesis 1:27; 3:1-24; Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:22-23; Deuteronomy 32:39; Romans 5:12-19; Romans 3:10-19; I Corinthians 15:22; Psalm 51:5; Hebrews 11:6; Jeremiah 17:9; James 1:13-15; Ephesians 2:1-3)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of the redemption through the vicarious substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead, displaying the merits both of His life of perfect righteousness and His atoning blood — and not based on human merits or works.
The Scriptures teach that believers were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world according to the good pleasure of His will. The Scriptures also teach that the proclamation of the Gospel should be made to all people by the faithful.
Salvation is received by a sinner when he repents of his sin towards God and puts his faith & trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as his own personal Savior.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ; That God made the world and everything in it, and it was good. God made man to live in holiness with Him, but he voluntarily sinned, thus ushering in sin to all of mankind. The Scripture says, “that the wages of sin is death” and that death is physical, spiritual in separation from God, and eternal without end. But God, in his mercy, sent his son Jesus, both fully God and fully man, to die a sinner's death to pay the price of our sin and redeem us from the death we deserve. Jesus fulfilled the law, living a perfect life, and died, was buried, and was raised on the third day for our justification. And those who believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ and believe in their hearts that God has raised him from the dead will be
saved and have life eternal with Him.
In believing this Gospel and trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, he is declared righteous and credited with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. All who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by personal faith as Saviour are thereby born again, and have eternal life through the
indwelling Christ.
Although salvation is instantaneous, the Scripture speaks of being saved from the penalty of sin (justification), the power of sin (sanctification), and eventually the presence of sin (glorification).
We believe that good works are a natural consequence of saving faith but never the cause of our salvation. We believe that a truly born-again believer can never lose his eternal life because he is kept by the power of God.
(Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:7; Titus 3:5; II Peter 1:4; Romans 3:24-31; 6:1-14; 8:30; Ephesians 1:4; Romans 10:13; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Colossians 1:14; John 10:15; Romans 5:8; Romans 3:24-25; Mark 1:15; Romans 3:26-28; II Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8-10; John 10:27-29; I Peter 1:3-5)
The Scriptures teach that believers were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world according to the good pleasure of His will. The Scriptures also teach that the proclamation of the Gospel should be made to all people by the faithful.
Salvation is received by a sinner when he repents of his sin towards God and puts his faith & trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as his own personal Savior.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ; That God made the world and everything in it, and it was good. God made man to live in holiness with Him, but he voluntarily sinned, thus ushering in sin to all of mankind. The Scripture says, “that the wages of sin is death” and that death is physical, spiritual in separation from God, and eternal without end. But God, in his mercy, sent his son Jesus, both fully God and fully man, to die a sinner's death to pay the price of our sin and redeem us from the death we deserve. Jesus fulfilled the law, living a perfect life, and died, was buried, and was raised on the third day for our justification. And those who believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ and believe in their hearts that God has raised him from the dead will be
saved and have life eternal with Him.
In believing this Gospel and trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, he is declared righteous and credited with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. All who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by personal faith as Saviour are thereby born again, and have eternal life through the
indwelling Christ.
Although salvation is instantaneous, the Scripture speaks of being saved from the penalty of sin (justification), the power of sin (sanctification), and eventually the presence of sin (glorification).
We believe that good works are a natural consequence of saving faith but never the cause of our salvation. We believe that a truly born-again believer can never lose his eternal life because he is kept by the power of God.
(Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:7; Titus 3:5; II Peter 1:4; Romans 3:24-31; 6:1-14; 8:30; Ephesians 1:4; Romans 10:13; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Colossians 1:14; John 10:15; Romans 5:8; Romans 3:24-25; Mark 1:15; Romans 3:26-28; II Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8-10; John 10:27-29; I Peter 1:3-5)
The Church
We believe that the Church is a New Testament institution established by Christ and inaugurated on the day of Pentecost. The Church is a spiritual organism composed of all true believers in this present age. All believers are part of the body of Christ and under His headship. The local Church is an organized assembly of baptized believers committed by a covenant of faith who join together to worship God in the preaching of the Word, in fellowship, in the observance of ordinances, and in prayer. Every believer should be an active participant in a local church where they may exercise their spiritual gift(s). God has commissioned the Church to be his witnesses both at home and abroad through missions. We believe that each member of the church should contribute joyfully to their local assembly as God has prospered and directed them. We believe that the local church should be self-governing, free from external interference.
The Scriptures teach that there are two offices in a local assembly, the pastor (also known as elder, bishop, or overseer) and the deacon. These servant-leaders are under the authority of Jesus Christ and must meet specific Biblical qualifications. We teach the importance of discipleship, mutual accountability, and the disciplining of unrepentant members in the local body of believers. We believe that the Church of Jesus Christ should be radically and essentially different from the world. Therefore, we believe that this local church should be ecclesiastically and personally separate from apostasy and the many forms of defective doctrine and fleshly practice.
(Matthew 16:18-19; 15-17; Acts 1:5; 2:1-21, 38-47; 11:15-16; I Corinthians 12:12-27; Colossians 1:18; Acts 2:41-47; Romans 12:3-21; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 9:6-7; Acts 15:6-31; 20:28; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Matthew 28:18-19; II Timothy 2:2; Hebrews 3:12-13;
(Matthew 16:18-19; 15-17; Acts 1:5; 2:1-21, 38-47; 11:15-16; I Corinthians 12:12-27; Colossians 1:18; Acts 2:41-47; Romans 12:3-21; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 9:6-7; Acts 15:6-31; 20:28; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Matthew 28:18-19; II Timothy 2:2; Hebrews 3:12-13;
The Ordinances
Baptism and The Lord's Supper
We believe that two ordinances have been committed to the local church: believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that baptism is by immersion and is an act of obedience to those who have placed their faith in Christ for salvation. Baptism is a public testimony of faith that beautifully pictures the Christian’s death, burial, and resurrection with Christ. It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the body of Christ.
We believe that the Lord’s Supper or communion is a symbolic proclamation and commemoration of the sacrificial death of Christ. The Scriptures teach that this ordinance should always be preceded by a time of solemn self-examination. The elements used in this observance are only representative of the body and blood of Christ. This ordinance is to be practiced until our Lord returns.
(Acts 2:38-42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:1-11; Colossians 2:12; I Corinthians 11:23-32)
(Acts 2:38-42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:1-11; Colossians 2:12; I Corinthians 11:23-32)
The Family
We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. A family is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption. The Scriptures define marriage as the unique one-flesh relationship between one man and one woman created by a covenant that lasts until death. God designed the marriage relationship for the purposes of procreation, companionship, sexual purity, and to picture the mystical relationship between Christ and His Church. The Scriptures clearly teach that all sexual relationships outside of marriage are sinful and condemned by God.
The Scriptures teach that the wife’s role in marriage is to submit to her husband’s leadership, while the husband’s role is to love his wife as Christ loved the Church. The Scriptures teach that children are a special blessing from God. However, because all children are born sinners, they must be brought up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Children are to honor and obey their parents.
(Genesis 1:26-28; 2:24; Exodus 20:12; Malachi 2:14; Genesis 2:18; I Corinthians 7:1-5; Ephesians 5:22-33; Romans 1:24-32; Ephesians 5:22-24; Psalm 127; Ephesians 6:1-4)
(Genesis 1:26-28; 2:24; Exodus 20:12; Malachi 2:14; Genesis 2:18; I Corinthians 7:1-5; Ephesians 5:22-33; Romans 1:24-32; Ephesians 5:22-24; Psalm 127; Ephesians 6:1-4)
Last Things
We believe that Christ will bodily return for His Church, the Bride. We teach that this will occur before the seven-year tribulation. We affirm that this rapture of believers could occur at any time. We teach that, after the Tribulation, Christ will return to earth to set up His millennial kingdom. This kingdom is the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust. We believe that the souls of all people will eternally exist in either heaven or hell. The Scriptures describe heaven as a place of blessed joy in the presence of God. Hell is a place of fiery torment, sorrow, and eternal separation from God.
(I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:9; Titus 2:13; Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1; Matthew 25:31; Revelation 20:1-7; Isaiah 65:17-25; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Zechariah 8:1-17; Romans 11:25-31; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 25:46; John 14:1-3; Luke 16:19-31)
(I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:9; Titus 2:13; Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1; Matthew 25:31; Revelation 20:1-7; Isaiah 65:17-25; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Zechariah 8:1-17; Romans 11:25-31; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 25:46; John 14:1-3; Luke 16:19-31)