FAITH AND PRACTICE
In matters of faith and practice, Scripture is our single authority. What Scripture commands, we obey. To what Scripture describes, we listen. What Scripture promises, we believe. When Scripture is silent, each believer should earnestly seek to be led by God, to whom he or she is ultimately responsible. (1 Thess. 2:12, 2 Tim. 3:15-17, 2 Pet. 1:21)
HUMAN DESTINY
At the time of death, those whose faith is in Jesus will be received into communion with God and into His favored presence, free from sin for all eternity. However, those whose faith is not in Jesus will suffer separation from God’s favored presence, under His wrath and judgment for all eternity. (Matt. 25:46, Mark 9:43-48, 2 Pet. 3:13, Rev. 19:20; 20:11-15; see ch. 21 and 22)
THE CHURCH
Through union with Jesus Christ, all believers become members of His body, the one true Church. Jesus himself commissioned us as His Church: go and make disciples. This is our great mission. Scripture commands believers to gather for worship, prayer, fellowship, and the teaching of the Word; to observe Baptism and Communion as established by Jesus Christ; to serve the local church through the use of gifts; and to serve both our local city and the world. The local expression of the church is found wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to this command. The Church is led by elders or other supportive leaders who work together to glorify God. (Jer. 33:3, Matt. 3:13-17; 28:19, Mark 16:15, Luke 22:19, Rom. 12:14-16, Heb. 10:24-25, 1 Pet. 2:4-6;9-10; 4:10-11)
HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son. He was involved in creation, inspired our Scriptures to be written, and has given power to believers throughout history. He changes us internally, enabling us to accept the Gospel. He provides power for being Christ-like in our attitudes, thoughts, and actions. He grants spiritual gifts to all believers for the purpose of edifying (growing or serving) the Church. (Gen. 1:2, John 3:1-8; 14:16-17; 16:7-13, Acts 1:8, 1 Cor. 2:12; 3:16, Eph. 1:13; 5:18, Gal. 5:25, Titus 3:4-7)
PEOPLE
People are designed in the Image of God and are the supreme object of His creation. Even though made in His image, mankind believed a lie and chose to disobey. Because of this, our foolish hearts were darkened and we were cast into bondage to sin. Sin separates us from God. (Gen. 1:27, Ps. 8:3-6, Isa. 53:6; 59:1-2, Rom. 1:21-22; 3:23)
SALVATION
Salvation is God’s free gift to all humans who receive Jesus as Savior. Disobedience to God cannot be corrected by self-improvement or good works. Only through faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Promised One, can man be justified before God unto salvation. Salvation is experienced by someone the moment they are born again (or born from above). This is when someone’s heart is renewed and they are made a new creation. This is experienced by repenting of sin, confessing Jesus as Savior and Lord, and believing that Jesus has fully paid our debt of sin, restoring us to the Father. (John 1:12; 3:1-8; 14:6, Rom. 5:1; 6:23, Gal. 3:26, Eph. 2:8-9, Titus 3:5)
THE BIBLE
The basis for our belief is the Bible; the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe that all Scripture originated from God, and that it was revealed to individuals chosen specifically for that purpose. Scripture speaks with the authority of God while reflecting the backgrounds, styles, and vocabularies of the human authors. We hold that the Scriptures are a unique, full, and final authority on all matters of faith and practice. The Bible is fully sufficient for all God requires of us, and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God. (Ps. 119:89, Prov. 30:5, 2 Tim. 1:13; 3:16, 2 Pet.1-20)
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God - existing as part of the Trinity since before time began. After His miraculous conception and birth, He lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father. Jesus voluntarily paid the price for the sins of all by dying on the cross as our perfect substitute. After His death, He rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. Jesus is the only way to God the Father and He is coming again to bring to completion God’s eternal plan. (Isa. 9:6, Matt. 1:22-23, John 1:1-5; 14:10-13, Acts 1:9-11, Rom. 1:3-4, I Cor. 15:3-4, Heb. 4:14-15; 10:14, I Tim. 6:14-15, Titus 2:13)
GOD
We believe in one God, who exists equally and eternally in three persons–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–who exist in perfect unity of will and community with one another. We call this three-in-one concept the “Trinity”. Even though the word “Trinity” does not appear in the Bible, the reality is resoundingly present. In the beginning, God created all things, both visible and invisible, and He sustains all things according to His purpose. (Gen. 1:1, 26-27; 3:22, Ps. 90:2, Matt. 28:19, 2 Cor. 13:14)
