What We Believe
The following is an abridged version of our statement of faith
- Of the Scripture
We believe that the Holy Bible is verbally inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16) and the product of “men moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). The Scripture, all 66 books as originally written, is true and without any error (Psalm 19:7-9).
We believe that the Bible teaches us how we are to live and is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness: so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). - Of the Triune God
We believe that God, as revealed in the Bible, is the one and only God (Rom. 3:30; 1 Cor. 8:6). He alone is worthy to receive all praise, worship and obedience (Rev. 4:11; Psalm 29:1-2).
We believe that the Bible presents these 3 truths about the Triune God (Matt. 28:19, 2 Cor. 13:14, Eph. 4:4-6):
1) God is three persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit (Matt. 28:19, 1 Cor. 12:4-6).
2) Each person is fully God, bearing the characteristics and attributes of God (Psalm 90:2, Rev. 22:13, and Heb. 9:14).
3) God is one (Deut. 6:4; 1 Cor. 8:4).
III. Of God the Father
We believe that God is the Creator of all things (Gen. 1:1, 31), including all mankind (Psalm 139:13). He is God the Father to God the Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16), and the Father to all believers in giving them spiritual and eternal life (John 1:13; 1 Peter 1:3). By His sovereign control God the Father “… causes all things to work together for good…” (Rom. 8:28-30) for the specific purpose of glorifying Himself and saving mankind.
- Of God the Son
We believe that the 2nd person of the Trinity is God the Son, Jesus, who is “both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). We believe that God the Son took on physical form, “being made in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:6-7), and was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary (Matt. 1:18-23); in this way, Jesus Christ is both the Son of Man (Mark 10:45) and the Son of God (Luke 1:35). He lived a holy and sinless life (Heb. 4:15, 7:26), before dying on the cross (John 19:30, 33-35). Three days later, Jesus Christ bodily rose from the grave, overcoming both death and sin (Rom. 1:4; 6:9). He has ascended into heaven (Luke 24:50-51), preparing a place (John 14:2-3) and making intercession (Heb. 7:25; 9:24) for all those who believe in Him.
We believe that it is only through faith in Jesus Christ that one can have eternal life; “there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). - Of God the Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit was active in creation (Gen. 1:1-3) with the other members of the Godhead. The Holy Spirit brought about the incarnation of God the Son (Luke 1:35; Matt. 1:18). We believe that the Holy Spirit was primarily responsible for the formation of God’s Word, the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:20-21; 1 Peter 1:10-11) and continues to be active in the believer’s understanding and application of God’s Word (Eph. 6:17; 1 Cor. 2:12-14).
We believe that it is through the Holy Spirit, “…we were all baptized into one body…” (1 Cor 12:13). We believe that through the Holy Spirit, various gifts are given to individual believers (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Peter 4:10-11). - Of Creation
We believe that the entire universe was created in six literal days by God, as stated in Genesis 1:1-31. All of the Godhead was active in the creation of the entire world (Gen. 1:1, 3, Col. 1:16-17).
VII. Of Angels, Satan, and Demons
We believe that God created angels (Neh. 9:6; Col. 1:16) to serve (Heb. 1:7, 14) and worship Him (Luke 2:14; Rev. 5:11-12). We believe that angels were created as higher than man (Heb. 2:7; Psalm 8:4-5), but are not to be worshipped (Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10).
We believe in the existence of Satan, who was created as an angel (Ezek. 28:12-15). He rebelled against God, (Ezek. 28:15; Isaiah 14:12-15) and so was cast out of heaven (Rev. 12:4; 2 Peter 2:4). Ultimately, Satan will receive eternal punishment from God in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10).
We believe in the existence of demons, followers of Satan who also oppose God (Matt 12:24; 25:41; Rev 12:7, 9). Like Satan, their eternal punishment was made secure in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Matt 25:41).
VIII. Of Man
We believe that God created man in His own image on the 6th day of creation (Gen. 1:26-27).
We believe that Adam and Eve sinned against God, disobeying His command (Gen. 3:6-7). The consequence of their sinful decision was immediate spiritual death being separated from God (Gen. 3:7-10), and the future reality of physical death (Gen. 3:19).
We believe that all men are sinners by nature and by choice, and so stand guilty and accountable before the Most Holy God (Rom. 3:10-18, 23).
- Of Marriage
We believe that God created marriage to be the union of one man and one woman in a life-long covenant (Gen. 2:22-24). - Of Salvation
We believe that because of men’s sinfulness, each individual is in need of salvation (Rom. 3:23). In order to be saved, one must recognize his sinfulness before the most Holy God, place his faith in Jesus Christ, and repent of his sins (Acts 2:38-40, 16:31). This salvation can occur only because Jesus Christ died as a voluntary substitute for the sinner and rose again, giving victory over sin and death (Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 3:18). - Of Justification
We believe that when one places his faith in Jesus Christ for his salvation, God declares him righteous (Rom. 8:28-30, 33; Gal. 2:16). Justification involves the transfer of our sins to Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:8-9; Col. 2:14; 1 Pet. 2:24) and His righteousness to us (2 Cor. 5:21).
XII. Of Christian Growth
We believe that after coming to faith in Jesus Christ, the believer is to grow in their walk with God (Eph. 4:1; 1 Thess. 4:1,10), demonstrating their new life in Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:1; Col. 3:1-4). Believers are to resist and overcome temptations to sin, depending upon God (1 Thess. 5:23), His Word (John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17), and His Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16).
XIII. Of the Local Church
We believe that a local church is a congregation of baptized believers (Acts 2:41; 8:12), united by their faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 13:15-16; 1 Cor. 12:12-27). The church is to meet on a regular basis in order to teach the truth from God’s Word, to pray, to worship and praise God, to observe the ordinances, and to encourage fellow believers (Acts 2:38-47; 2 Tim. 3:16–4:2; Heb. 10:24-25).
We believe that the head of the church is Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col. 1:18). We believe that Jesus Christ has given each local church the responsibility of self-government (Titus 1:5).
XIV. Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe that baptism is the complete immersion of a believer in water (Matt. 3:16; Acts 8:36-39). This symbolizes the believer’s union by faith with Jesus Christ, dying to sin, being buried, and rising to a new life in Christ (Rom. 6:1-11; Col. 2:12).
We believe that the Lord’s Supper is for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:17-26). The Lord’s Supper commemorates Christ’s death until He comes, and should be preceded always by solemn self examination (1 Cor. 11:23-28). We believe that the elements of the Lord’s Supper, the bread and the cup, serve to represent the body and blood of Christ, and are not the actual body and blood of Christ.
- Of the Security of the Saints
We believe that God secures forever those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ; believers can never lose their salvation (John 10:27-30; Rom. 8:31-39; Heb. 7:25; 1 Peter 1:4-5).
XVI. Of Civil Government
We believe that God has ordained civil government for the interests and good order of human society (Rom. 13:1-2).
We believe that the only circumstance under which believers are to disobey civil government is when such a decision would place Christians in disobedience to God; “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29).
XVII. Of Future Events
We believe in the Rapture of the Church, which can happen at any moment (1 Thess 4:13-18; John 14:1-3; 1 Cor 15:51-53).
We believe in the 7 year Tribulation Period upon this earth (Dan 9:24-27; 2 Thess. 2:7-12), which will conclude with the battle of Armageddon (Zech 14:1, Rev 16:16). This brings about the visible second coming of Christ to the earth (Rev. 17:14).
We believe in the literal, 1000-year Reign of Christ from Jerusalem on David’s throne (Rev. 20:4-6; Luke 1:32; Isaiah 9:6-7; Acts 2:29-30).
We believe that there will be the destruction of the current heavens and earth and the creation of the new heavens and earth, which will endure for all eternity (2 Peter 3:7-10; Rev. 21:1).
XVIII. Of Eternity
We believe in heaven and hell as places where all mankind will spend eternity. Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ and have been saved from their sin will enjoy spending forever in the presence of God in heaven (Matt. 25:37, 46; 1 Thess 4:17). Those who have not accepted Jesus Christ will receive the deserved punishment for their sin, existing forever in hell, apart from the presence of God (Matt. 25:41, 46; Mk. 9:47-48; 2 Thess. 1:7-9).