Statement of Faith

The Bible: 

We believe that the Bible is the infallible word of God.  We believe that it is our final authority in all matters of faith, practice and is all sufficient.  Thus, we are constantly reforming ourselves in view of God’s word (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Revelation 22:19).

The Godhead

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—co-eternal in being, co-eternal in nature, co-equal in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

God

We believe in the only true God (John 17:3), the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20). He created all things (Revelation 4:11) and upholds all things by the Word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). He is a God of truth and without iniquity. He is just and right (Deuteronomy 32:4), and He shall judge the world (Psalm 9:8).

We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes and perfections, and are worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence, and obedience (Mark 12:29; John 1:1-4; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 4:3-4).

Jesus Christ

We believe in the total deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe He is the manifestation of God in the flesh. We believe He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. We believe Him to be true God and true man (John 1:1, 1:14, 1:18; John 14:8-9; 1 Timothy 3:16).

Holy Spirit

We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:14). The Holy Spirit regenerates the sinner upon belief in Christ, baptizing the believer into one body, of which Christ is the head. The Holy Spirit indwells, guides, instructs, fills, comforts, and empowers the believer for godly living (Mark 13:11; John 14:26; John 16:13; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16). The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, of God’s righteousness and of coming judgment (John 16:8-11).

Man

We believe man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntarily transgressing, fell from his sinless and happy state. Consequently, all mankind is sinful. All people are sinners not only by inheritance, but also by their own choice and therefore are under just condemnation without defense or excuse. We believe that without exception every man and every woman is totally depraved and needs a Savior (Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 3:10-19; Romans 1:18, Romans 1:32)

Salvation

Salvation is by grace and not by works (Ephesians 2:8,9). In other words, we are saved by grace through faith in Christ (Acts 4:12; 10:43; etc.). Repentance is necessary for forgiveness and salvation (Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19; 20:21). Repentance is not just a change of mind, for Jesus equated it to turning from one’s evil ways (Matthew 12:41 cf. Jonah 3:10). At the point of instant salvation (Luke 19:9) one is declared righteous (Romans 4), given the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23) and is made a child of God (1 John 3:2). Those who are regenerated by the Holy Spirit will preserve to the end (Phil 1:6).

The Church and its Mission

The Church is the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:12-27) and has a three-fold purpose: To evangelize the world (Acts 1:8 & Mark 16:15-16), to worship God (I Corinthians 12:13), and to equip for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16 & I Corinthians 12:28, 14:12).

Ordinances:

We believe that two Christian ordinances were appointed by Christ to be administered in each church, not as a means of salvation, but as visible signs and symbols of the facts and realities of salvation:

Baptism: We believe that baptism by immersion in water is the public confession of Christ as Savior and Lord. It is a symbol of one’s union, by faith, with Christ in death, burial, and resurrection, and therefore is to be administered by immersion only to those who have given evidence of faith in Christ as their personal Savior. In effect, baptism identifies the believer with the visible body of Christ. ( Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38-41; Rom. 6:3-5, Col. 2:12; Acts 8:36-39.)

The Lord’s Supper: We believe that the Lord’s Supper should be observed by all believers in obedience to the command, “This do in remembrance of Me.” It consists of partaking of the bread and cup, which symbolize the death of Christ for the remission of our sins, our need for self-examination, and union with Christ and with other believers. The Lord’s Table is open to all believers who are in right relationship with God and one another, regardless of denomination. (I Cor. 10:17; Matt. 26:26-30; Luke 22:19-20; I Cor. 10:16; I Cor. 11:23-26.)

Christ’s Second Coming:

We believe in the personal, visible, pre-millennial and imminent return of Christ. First, Christ will descend into the air to catch away His waiting bride, the Church. Christ will descend with His saints to establish the long promised kingdom, and to reign upon the earth for a thousand years. Prior to Christ’s ultimate return to reign, the great tribulation judgments will be visited upon the apostate and rebellious world. (Jn. 14:1-3; Acts 1:10-11; Mark 13:34-37; I Thess. 4:14-18; I Cor. 15; Rev. 3:11; Jude 14; Rom. 8:16-19; Col. 3:4; Rev. 19:14; Dan. 7:13-14; Luke 1:32-33; Rev. 5:9-10; 20:4-6; Jer. 30:7; Matt. 24:21; II Thess. 1:3-10; Rev. 6-19.)

The Final Judgment

There will be a final judgment in which the dead will be resurrected and judged according to their works (Matt. 25:31-46 & Romans 2:1-9). Everyone whose name is not found written in the Book of Life, along with the devil and his angels, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). Those whose names are written in the Book of Life will be resurrected and stand at the judgment seat of Christ to be rewarded for their good deeds (I Corinthians 4:5).