I. The Scriptures

          We believe that the Holy Bible was written by people who were divinely inspired, and it is a treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian faith, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be examined.  All other components of this statement are rooted in and supported by the Scriptures.

 

Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10;119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18;22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11;Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.

 

II. God

          We believe that there is one true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, who is the Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer and Ruler of the universe. He is called by many names throughout the Scriptures including Yahweh (YHWH)/Jehovah among many others which demonstrate his incomparable nature.  He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love.  We believe that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing in divine unity the great work of redemption.

 

Exodus 3:14; John 4:14; Psalms 83:18; Hebrews 3:4; Romans 1:20; Jeremiah 10:10; Exodus 15:11; Psalm 147:5, Isaiah 6:3; I Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 4:6-8; Mark 12:30; Revelation 4:11; Matthew 10:37; Jeremiah 2:12-13; Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; I Corinthians 12:4-6; I John 5:7; John 10:30; John 5:17; John 14:23; John 17:5,10; Acts 5:3-4, I Corinthians 2:10-11; Philippians 2:5-6; Ephesians 2:18; II Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 1:4-5.

 

III. Humanity

          We believe that humanity was created in the image of God to have fellowship with God and to carry out His divine plan for the world.  Though humanity was created to reflect God’s holiness, Adam and Eve fell from that holy state voluntary transgression. Therefore all mankind are now sinners and by nature void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil and under just condemnation to eternal ruin without defense or excuse.

 

Genesis 1:27; Genesis 1:31; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Acts 15:26; Genesis 2:16; Genesis 3:6-24; Romans 5:12; Romans 5:15-19; John 3:6; Psalm 51:5; Romans 8:7; Isaiah 53:6; Genesis 6:12; Romans 3:9-18; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:1-16; Galatians 3:10; Matthew 20:15; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:20; Romans 3:19; Galatians 3:22.

 

IV. Jesus Christ

          We believe that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity.  He is the eternally existent God who has been manifest in the flesh.  He is the image of the invisible God and by Him all things were created.  He became flesh by the Holy Spirit moving upon a virgin named Mary, and he walked the earth living a sinless life.  He was both fully human and fully divine.  He was crucified for the sins of humanity, and God raised him from the dead to display His divine power and to set humanity free from the law of sin and death.  His resurrection stands as the sign and symbol of God’s victory over sin, and the freedom and power that is now available to all who would place their faith in Christ.  He is now seated at the right hand of God making intercession for us, and he has given to us the Holy Spirit as a comforter and guide through this present age.  When we pray, we pray in His name because of the power and authority that he embodies. At the end of this age, he will return to judge the living and the dead. 

 

Genesis 18:1ff.; Psalms 2:7ff.; 110:1ff.; Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17;8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16,27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6,19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41;22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11; 16:15-16,28;17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20,28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5,20; Romans 1:3-4;3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3,34; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8,24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:1-3;4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15,24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9; Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16.

 

V. The Holy Spirit

          We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and possesses the same attributes as God the Father and God the Son.  The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He inspired the writing of the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables human to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts humans of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He calls humans to the Savior, and effects regeneration.  He indwells, fills, baptizes, sanctifies, and seals the believer.  He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. We believe the regenerating, indwelling, baptizing, gifting, and sealing ministries to be once and for all.  The filling ministry is continuous as we daily are called to be filled with the Spirit.  His sanctifying ministry is both once and for all and continuous.  It is once and for all in that the Spirit sets the beliver apart as belonging to God.  It is continuous in that the Holy Spirit works within the believer daily to transform the believer into the likeness of Jesus Christ.  His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God the believer is eternally secure in God.  The Holy Spirit enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.

 

Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalms 51:11; 139:7ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32;28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31;5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-11,14-16,26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13;Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7; Revelation 1:10; 22:17.

 

VI. Salvation

          We believe that the salvation of sinners is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet was without sin. He honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by His death made a full atonement for our sins and that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven seated at the right hand of the Father.  He is our all-sufficient Savior and our soon coming king. We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel and that humans are called to accept salvation with a repentant heart and an obedient life.  We believe that God desires that all should be saved and that none would perish and therefore calls Christians to preach the gospel throughout the world. In the Scriptures, many words are used to further illuminate what happens in the process of salvation, which we will now discuss. 

 

Eph. 2:5; Matt. 18:11; I John 4:10; I Cor. 3:5-7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16; John 1:1-14; Heb. 4:14; Heb. 12:24; Phil. 2:6-7; Heb. 2:9&14; II Cor. 5:21; Isa. 42:21; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 4:4-5; Rom. 3:21; Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 20:28; Rom. 4:25; Rom. 3:21-26; I John 4:10; I John 2:3; I Cor. 15:1-3; Heb. 9:13-15; Heb. 1:8; Heb. 1:3; Col. 3:1-4; Heb. 7:25; Col. 2:9; Heb. 2:18; Heb. 7:26; Ps. 89:19; Ps. 45.

 

VII. Regeneration

          We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration involves belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the receiving of the Holy Spirit, and becoming a new creature in Christ.  This regeneration is demonstrated through a repentant heart, a renewed mind, and the fruit of the spirit.

 

John 3:3; John 3:6-7; I Cor. 1:14; Rev. 8:7-9; Rev. 21:27; II Cor. 5:17; Ezek. 36:26; Deu. 30:6; Rom. 2:28-29; Rom 5:5; I John 4:7; John 3:8; John 1:13; James 1:16-18; I Cor. 1:30; Phil. 2:13; I Peter 1:22-25; I John 5:1; Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 3:9-11; Eph. 5:9; Rom. 8:9; Ga. 5:15-23; Eph. 3:14-21; Matt. 3:8-I0; Matt. 7:20; I John 5:4, 18.

 

VIII. Repentance and Faith

          We believe that repentance and faith are essential responsibilities and also inseparable graces that God uses to regenerate the hearts of believers. Through repentance and faith we are deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, and we turn to God with sincere contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy.  At the same time we receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and rely on Him as our source and strength.

 

Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; I John 5:1; John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; Acts 16:30-31; Luke 18:13; Luke 15:18-21; James 4:7-10; II Cor. 7:11; Rom. 10:12-13; Ps. 51; Rom. 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23; Heb. 4:14; Ps. 2:6; Heb. 1:8; Heb. 8:25; II Tim. 1:12.

 

IX. Justification

          We believe that the great blessing which Christ grants to all who believe in him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood.   Because of this faith, the righteousness of Christ is freely imputed to us and brings us into a state of peace and favor with God and secures every other blessing we need for time and eternity. 

 

John 1:16; Eph. 3:8; Acts 13:39; Isa. 3:11-12; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 5:9; Zech. 13:1; Matt. 9:6; Acts 10:43; Rom. 5:17; Titus 3:5-6; I Peter 3:7; I John 2:25; Rom. 5:21; Rom. 4:4-5; Rom. 6:23; Phil. 3:7-9; Rom. 5:19; Rom. 3:24-26; Rom. 4:23-25; I John 2:12; Rom. 5:1-2; Rom. 5:3; Rom. 5:11; I Cor. 1:30-31; Matt. 6:33; I Tim. 4:8.

 

X. Sanctification

          We believe that sanctification is the process by which we are made partakers of the holiness of God; that it is a progressive work that is begun in regeneration and that is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.  We experience sanctification as we engage in spiritual disciplines such as worship, fellowship, discipleship, accountability, scripture study, fasting, prayer, and many other practices that the Scriptures encourage.

 

I Thess. 4:3; I Thess. 5:23; II Cor. 7:1; II Cor. 13:9; Phil. 3:12-16; John 2:29; Rom. 8:5; Eph. 1:4; Pro. 4:18; II Cor. 3:18; Heb. 6:1; 1I Peter 1:5-8; John 3:6; Phil. 1:9-I 1; Eph. 1:13-14; Phil. 2:12-13; Eph. 4:11-12; I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18; II Cor. 13:5; Luke 11:35; Luke 9:23; Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:18; Eph. 4:30.

 

XI. The Perseverance Of The Saints

We believe that sincere believers in Christ will endure to the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. This means that one who is truly saved cannot lose their salvation but they are eternally secure in Christ.

 

John 8:31; I John 2:27-28; I John 3:9; I John 5:18; I John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9; Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Ps. 121:3; Ps. 91:11-12; Phil. 1:6; Phil. 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Heb. 1:14; II Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; l John 4:4.

 

XII. The Church

          We believe that a faithful church is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His Word; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word.   We believe that the leaders of the church are identified as Bishops, Pastors, Elders, and Deacons, amongst a few other titles found in the Scriptures. Their qualifications and duties are also listed throughout the Scriptures.

 

I Cor. 1:l-3; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:1 I; Acts 8:1; Acts I 1:31; I Cor. 4:17; I Cor. 14:23; III John 9; I Tim. 3-5; Acts 2:41-42; II Cor. 8:5; Acts 2:47; I Cor. 5:12-13; I Cor. 11:2; II Thess. 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; I Cor. 11:23; Matt. 18:15-20; I Cor. 5:6; II Cor. 2:7; I Cor. 4:11; Matt. 28:20; John 14:15; John 15:12; I John 4:21; John 14:21;. I Thess. 4:2; II John 6; Gal. 6:2; Eph. 4:7; I Cor. 14:12; Phil. 1:27; I Cor. 12:14; Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:22; I Tim. 3; Titus I.

 

XIII. Baptism and The Lord's Supper

          We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit.  This action is to visibly represent the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and to show to the world an outward sign of an inward change.   This is a command of the Scriptures.  In a similar way, the Lord’s Supper is something that we do not do to be saved, but we do because we are saved.  Through this meal members of the church commemorate together the death of Christ and the power of His redeeming blood for our salvation.

 

Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; John 4:12: Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12; Acts 16:32-34; Acts 18:8; Acts 10:47-48; Gal. 3:26-28; Rom 6:4; Col. 2:12; I Peter 3:20-21; Acts 12:16; Acts 2:41-42; I Cor. 11:26; Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; I Cor. 11:28; I Cor. 5:1-8; I Cor. 10:3-32; I Cor. 11:17-32; John 6:26-71.

 

XIV. The Christian Sabbath

          We believe that God has called his people to rest in Him.  This was first demonstrated by the Sabbath Day in the Old Testament. Under the New Covenant, we are not bound to a specific Sabbath day, but rather to a lifestyle of rest in God.  While we may traditionally gather for worship on Sunday, any day is suitable to gather for the worship of the living God.  The most important detail is not the day of the week, but the condition of our hearts.

 

Acts 20:7; Gen. 2:3; Cor. 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; I Cor. 16:1-2; Ex. 20:8; Rev. I:10; Ps. 118:15,24; Isa. 58:13-14; Isa. 56:2-8; Heb. 10:24-25; Acts 11:26; Acts 13:44; Lev. 19:30; Ex. 46:3; Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2-3; Ps. 26:8; Ps. 87:3; Heb. 4:3-11.

 

XV. The World To Come

          We believe that the Scriptures reveal that Christ will return and that there will be a bodily resurrection for believers upon His return.  There will also be the final banishment of Satan and evil, and that both believers and non-believers will be judged, resulting in the final estate of heaven or hell.

 

I Peter 4:7; I Cor. 7:29-31; Heb. 1:10-13; Matt. 24:35; I John 2:17; Matt. 28:20; Matt. 13:39-40; II Peter 3:3-13; Acts I:1 I; Rev. 1:7; Heb. 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; I Thess. 5:1-11; Acts 24:15; I Cor. 15:12-59; Luke 14:14; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; John 6:40; John 11:25-26; II Tim. 1:10; Acts 10:42; Matt. 13:49; Matt. 13:37-43; Matt. 24:30-31; Matt. 25:31-33; Matt. 25:35-41; Rev. 22:11; I Cor. 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; II Peter 2:9; Jude 7; Phil. 3:19; Rom. 6:22; II Cor. 5:10-11; John 4:36; II Cor. 4:18; Rom. 3:5-6; II Thess. 1:6-12; Heb. 6:1-2; I Cor. 4:5, Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:2-16; Rev. 22:11-12; I John 2:28; I John 4:17; II Peter 3:11-12.