Statement of Faith
In essential beliefs - we have unity
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
In non-essential beliefs - we have liberty
"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters ... Who are you to judge some else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls ... So, then each of us will give an account of himself to God ... So, whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.
(Romans 14:1,4,12,22)
In all our beliefs - we show charity
If I have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
(1 Corinthians 13:2)
The Essentials We Believe
ABOUT GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis: 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the unique one and only Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus stepped down from Heaven and became flesh – born of a virgin. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin, Satan and death. He ascended back to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ by bringing conviction of sin. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of the Bible and all spiritual truth, and guidance in doing the will of God. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. This process continues throughout life. All of the gifts mentioned in Scripture are for today’s church. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily and to have Him speak into our lives personally. Through Him we can hear God’s voice. He manifests the power of God through both the ordinary and through signs and wonders.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of any error. It is the inerrant Word of God.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 12:6; 119:105,160; Proverbs 30:5
ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 63:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2
ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is God's free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29, 29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
ABOUT 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 described as Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life, a place described as Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:15; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8; Matthew 2:44,46
ABOUT THE CHURCH
The New Testament speaks of the Church as the Body of Christ, which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation. It is not a building, a meeting or a belief system. It is the people of God, the Bride of Christ. The Church is the earthly outcropping of God’s Kingdom. The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of this age.
Jesus Christ is the head of His Body, the Church. The purpose of the Church is to carry out His mission in the world and is best lived out in local, autonomous churches, being governed by His revealed truth, with believers exercising the spiritual gifts invested in each believer and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. The polity of a local congregation is determined by the leadership of the Holy Spirit, in agreement with scriptural direction.
Matthew 16:15-19; Acts 2:41-42, 47; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:10-16; Revelations 21:10-27
