Beliefs

GOD

We believe in one God, who is Creator of all, who has revealed Himself in three distinct Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit yet who is one in being, essence, and glory. God is eternal, infinite, sovereign, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and unchanging. He is holy, just, and righteous. God is loving, gracious, merciful, and good.

Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Jesus Christ

We believe in the Deity of Jesus Christ. He is co-equal with the Father. He was born by virgin birth and lived a sinless life. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead to demonstrate His power and authority over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and is seated at the right hand of God the Father. He will return again to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of lords.

Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; John 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.

The Holy Spirit

We believe in the deity and person of the Holy Spirit. He indwells believers in Jesus Christ. With Christ and the Father, He is worshiped and glorified. He is the agent by whom Christ baptizes all believers into His body. He is the seal by whom the Father guarantees the salvation of believers unto the day of redemption. Through human authors He inspired the complete and authoritative Word of God, the Bible. He is the Divine Teacher who illumines believers’ hearts and minds as they study the Word of God. He empowers the believer for Holy Living.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; John 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18.

The Bible

We believe the Bible, comprised of the Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. We believe the Bible to be inerrant in the original written languages, God-breathed, and the complete and final authority for faith and practice. While still using the individual writing styles of the human authors, the Holy Spirit perfectly guided them to ensure they wrote precisely what He intended to be written, without error or omission.

Proverbs 30:5,6; Isaiah 8:20; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:21; and Revelation 22:18,19.

Human Beings

Human beings were created in God’s image and are the central object of His creation. However, the entire human race is marred by sin. Sin is a transgressing of, or falling short of, God’s standard in action, thought, and character. All individuals are born with a sin nature that affects their motivation, affection, volition, and actions. The results of sin include separation from God, and death.

(Romans 3:10,23; 6:23; 14:23; James 4:17; I John 5:17)

Salvation

Salvation is God’s free gift, but we must receive 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 human beings be saved from sin’s penalty. Our sole means of salvation is provided through the perfect and sufficient work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, when we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Salvation begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1.

Eternal Security

Because salvation is a gift from God 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 mercy of God that gives us this security.

John 10:28, 29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5.

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 hell. To be eternally in union with him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.

John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8; Matthew 2:44, 46.