What We Believe
We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments (Luke 24:27, 44), to be the inspired Word of God (II Timothy 3:16), without error in the original writings (Matthew 5:18; John 17:17; II Peter 1:19-21), the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority for Christian faith and life (Romans 15:4; I Thessalonians 2:13).
We believe in one God (Matthew 28:19, Mark 12:29), Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 2:7, 21, 22), infinitely perfect (Psalm 18:30), and eternally (Deuteronomy 33:27) existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (II Corinthians 13:14).
We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man (John 1:1, 14; Hebrews 4:15) having been conceived of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18), and born of the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:23). He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures (I Corinthians 15:3; I Peter 2:24). Further, He arose bodily from the dead (I Corinthians 15:4), ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9), where at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate (Romans 8:34; I John 2:1).
We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:13-14), and during this age to convict men (John 16:8), regenerate the believing sinner (John 3:5; Titus 3:5), indwell (I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19), guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service (John 16:13; 15:16; Ephesians 5:18-21).
We believe that man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26), but fell into sin (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-12), and is therefore lost (Ephesians 2:1-3), and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained (John 3:5; Titus 3:5).
We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe (Romans 3:24; II Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:22), and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit, and they become children of God (John 1:12; 3:16; Acts 16:31).
We believe that water baptism (Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; 18:7-8; Romans 6:1-4) and the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19-20; I Corinthians 11:23-43) are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9).
We believe that the True Church (Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 2:42) is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit (John 1:12; 3:5; Titus 3:5) and are united together (I Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:1-6; Hebrews 10:24-25) in the body of Christ of which He is the head (Colossians 1:18).
We believe that only those who have their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation are members of the true and invisible Church (I Corinthians 12:12-13).
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead (John 5:28-29) of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord (Luke 14:14), and of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment (Revelation 20:11-15; Luke 16:19-26).