What we believe:
The Scriptures
We believe that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of
God" (2 Timothy 3:16). We understand this to mean that the
whole Bible is inspired, in that holy men of God "were moved
by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21) to write the very words
of Scripture. We believe that this divine inspiration extends
equally and fully to all parts of Scripture as it appeared in
the original manuscripts. We believe that the whole Bible in those
original manuscripts is, therefore, without error. We believe
that all Scripture centers around the Lord Jesus Christ in His
person, work, and in His first and second coming. We also believe
that all Scripture was designed for our practical instruction.
(Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11;
2 Timothy 3:16)
The Triune Godhead
We believe in the one true and living God, the Creator, Redeemer,
Sustainer, and Ruler of all things. He is infinite, eternal, and
unchangeable, and is revealed to us as the Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit.
God the Father: God, as Father, reigns
over all of His universe with providential care. He is all-powerful,
all-loving, all-knowing, and all-wise. He is fatherly in attitude
toward all men but is Father, indeed, to those who have become
children of God through Jesus Christ, who will deliver them into
the Father’s hands. (Genesis 1:1; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Jeremiah
10:10; Matthew 6:9; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6;
1 Corinthians 15: 24; Ephesians 4:6)
God the Son: We believe that the Lord Jesus
Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to
be God, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a
virgin, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man.
He accomplished this redemption by voluntarily giving Himself
as a sinless, substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, thereby
satisfying God’s righteous judgment against sin. After substantiating
the accomplishment of that redemption and justification by His
bodily resurrection from the grave, He ascended to the right hand
of His Father, where He intercedes on behalf of those who trust
Him. (Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1, 2, 14, 18; Romans 3:24-26; Romans
8:3)
God the Holy Spirit: We believe that the Holy
Spirit is the Divine Person who convicts the world of sin (righteousness
and judgment); that He alone brings new life to those who are
spiritually dead; that He baptizes (or places) all believers into
the one true Church, which is the Body of Christ; that He indwells
them permanently, seals them unto the day of final redemption,
bestows spiritual gifts upon them, and fills (controls) those
who are yielding to Him. Every believer is called to live in the
power of the indwelling Holy Spirit so that he will not fulfill
the lust of the flesh but will bear fruit to the glory of God.
(John 3:3-8; 14:16-17; 16:7-11; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 13; Ephesians
4:30; 5:18)
Creation
We believe that man was created directly by and in the image of
God. We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, including
all life, by direct act. (Genesis 1:1; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17)
Man
Although man was created in the image of God, he fell into sin
and is lost. This is true of all men; and except a man be born
again by the Holy Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (Genesis
1:26-27; John 3:3; Romans 3:10, 23)
The Devil - Satan
We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin, and the
reason for the fall of man, and is destined to the judgment of
an eternal punishment in the lake of fire. (Matthew 4:1-3; Acts
5:3; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10)
Atonement For Sin
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according
to the Scriptures as a substitutionary sacrifice and that all
who believe on Him are redeemed by His shed blood. We believe
in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord Jesus Christ
and in His ascension into heaven; He is our High Priest and Advocate.
(John 1:1-3, 14; 3:1-7; Hebrews 10:4-14; 1 John 2:2)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God’s grace. It
cannot be gained or made more secure by meritorious works, but
is freely bestowed upon all who put their faith in the finished
work of Jesus Christ at Calvary. All who so trust the Savior are
forgiven of their sins and born into the family of God by the
regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. (John 1:12; Acts 16:30-33;
Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-9)
The Christian Walk
We believe that we have a holy calling to walk not after the flesh
but after the Spirit, and so to live in the power of the indwelling
Spirit in order that we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
The flesh is never eradicated in this life. Individuals must choose
to keep the flesh in subjection to Jesus Christ through the power
of the Holy Spirit, or it will surely manifest its presence in
life and dishonor our Lord. (Romans 6:11-13; 8:2, 4, 12-13; Galatians
5:16-23; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 2:1-10; 1 Peter 1:14-16;
1 John 1:4-7; 3:5-9)
The Great Commission
Until the return of Christ, it is the Christian’s duty and
privilege to seek the fulfillment of Christ's Great Commission
and to minister in His name to a needy world. We are to be instruments
of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit ministers redemption and reconciliation
in the world. (Matthew 25:31-46; 28:18-20)
Giving - Tithes and offerings should be freely
given to your local church. The local church is the place of membership
where God has called you to receive His Word and teachings on
a consistent basis for your spiritual growth and edification.
We believe in giving alms to the poor, sick, homeless, and others
in despair.
(Malichi 3:8-10. Lev 27:30, Luke 6:38)
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