Our Beliefs

Authority of the Scriptures

The Old and New Testaments, inerrant as originally given, were verbally inspired by God and are a complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men. They constitute the divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice (2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:15-16; Luke 24:27).

The One True God

The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, self-revealed "I AM," and has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association, by simultaneously existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isa. 43:10, 11; Matt. 28:19).

Original Sin and Salvation

Man was originally created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). In his original design, man was fundamentally good; a reflection of God’s character and likeness. Through disobedience, mankind fell to sin (rebellious acts of disobedience against God). Because of this disobedience, humans have separated themselves from God, thereby incurring both physical and spiritual death. All men are now born with a sinful nature (Romans 3:23) and are separated from God. However, because God so loved the world, He came to earth in the form of Jesus Christ in order to save humanity and restore His relationship with mankind. Now, through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:20-23), humanity can be forgiven of their sins, receive eternal life, and have reconciled relationship with God. In response to the gift of salvation, Christians are expected to turn away from their sin and pursue a growing relationship with God. 

The Church Body

The Church consists of all those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, are redeemed through His blood, and are born again of the Holy Spirit. Christ is the Head of the Body, the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23), which has been commissioned by Him to go into all the world as a witness, preaching the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20).

The local church is a body of believers in Christ who are joined together for the worship of God, for edification through the Word of God, for prayer, fellowship, the proclamation of the Gospel, and observance of the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:41-47). Additionally, the church is commissioned to be a tangible expression to the world of Christ’s love and to expand His Kingdom. 

Baptism

Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience, following in Jesus’ example (Matthew 3:13-17), symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead (Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 6:3-5).

Communion

Communion is a symbolic act of obedience whereby the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and anticipates His return (Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

Heaven and Hell

Because humans are made in the likeness of God, they possess eternal souls. At the end of this life, and upon Jesus’ return, every soul will be judged based on their relationship with Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:21-23). Everyone will be categorized into two groups (Matthew 25:31-46): those who spend eternity separated from God because of their sin (Romans 6:23) and those who spend eternity with God because of their submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9) and reception of His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). 

Spiritual Gifts 

When people choose to accept Jesus’ gift of salvation and restored relationship with God, the Holy Spirit takes up permanent residence in their lives and hearts (1 Corinthians 3:16). Because of this, He equips Christians with abilities and gifts meant to be used for the edification of the Church and the expansion of God’s Kingdom (Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11&28, Ephesians 4:11-13).