Statement of Faith

 

THE BIBLE

2 Tim 3:16 (ESV) tells us that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”  By this, we believe the Bible is the Word of God.  It is without error, written under the inspiration of God’s Spirit, and is the final authority in all we believe and do. See also Mark 13:31; John 8:31-32; John 10:35; John 20:31; Acts 20:32; 2 Peter 1:20-21

GOD:  THE TRINITY

We believe, as the Bible says, that God exists in three equally divine and sinless persons (Father, Son and Spirit) who execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and salvation.

We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love.  We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and He saves from sin and hell all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.  Gen 1:1,26; Matt 28:19; John 1:1-3; John 4:24; Rom 1:19-20; Eph 4:5-6

We believe that Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten (engendered) Son, born of a virgin.  We believe that He lived a sinless life, performed miracles, and that His teachings are true.  He died in our place, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven, where He now represents us before the Father, from where He will one day visibly return to earth.  Matt 1:18-25; Matt 20:28; Luke 1:26-28; John 1:1, 20:28, 20:30-31; Acts 1:11; Rom 5:6-8, 6:9-10, 8:46, 9:5; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 1:4; Heb 7:25; 1 Pet 2:21-23;

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict mankind concerning sin, right living, and judgment.  We believe that He draws us to Christ, gives us new life, sanctifies us (sets us apart), and empowers us.  God’s Spirit lives in all who believe in Christ, and He continually helps, teaches and guides us.  His present work includes the distribution and operation of gifts to fortify the Body of Christ.  John 14:16-17, 26, 15:26-27, 16:9-14; Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 3:16, 6:19, 12:4-11, 28-29; Gal 5:22-26.

THE NEW BIRTH OF THE BELIEVER

We believe that man was created by God in His own image; that he sinned and thereby incurred physical, spiritual and eternal death, which is separation from God.  All human beings are born with a sinful nature and are under condemnation because they are sinners by choice.  Those who repent and turn from sin to follow Jesus Christ as Savior are “born again” spiritually, delivered from condemnation and receive new and eternal life.  Gen 1:26, 5:2; Gen 3; Gen 2:17; 3:19; Eccl 2:11; John 3:14; 5:24; 5:30; 7:13; 8:12; 10:26; Rom 5:12; 9:22; 2 Thess 1:9; Rev 19:3, 20; 20:10, 14-15; 21:18; Psa 51:7; Jer 17:9; Jam 1:14; Rom 3:19; Prov 28:13; 1 John 1:9; John 3:16; John 1:13; 2 Cor 5:17; Rom 8:1

THE CHURCH

The church is both universal (world-wide) and local, and is a living spiritual body of which Jesus is the head and all believers are members.  The local church consists of a group of believers in Jesus Christ who have each been baptized on a credible profession of faith, and are committed to worship, work, and fellowship together.  God has entrusted the members of the local church with the primary task of offering the good news of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world, both in word and deed.  Eph 2:19-22; Acts 1:8; Eph 5:19-21; Acts 2:42; Heb 10:23-25

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

We believe that all Christians should repent of all known sin for God hates sin, walk in holiness—dead to his or her former way of life and alive to Christ, and live for the glory of God, according to the truths of Scripture. The believer should honor Christ as Lord of all, including every aspect of his or her life. We should honor God with our time, talents, and possessions and strive to be conformed to the image of Christ, both individually and as a church.

Depending on one’s age and marital status, Scripture places different demands on the believer. Children should honor and obey their parents. Parents should raise their children in the fear and instruction of the Lord. Those who are single should walk in holiness, abstaining from sexual relations until marriage. Those who would marry should marry a believer. The married should walk in holiness, striving to love and honor their spouse and to obey the commands of Scripture pertaining to husbands and wives. We believe marriage is ordained by God and is a reflection of the relationship between Christ and the Church. We believe marriage is between a man and a woman and is a life-long commitment—God hates divorce. We believe that all sexual relations outside of heterosexual marriage are sin and are wholly incompatible with Christian teaching. Gen 2:18-25; Lev 18:22, 20:13; John 14:15, 23-24; Rom 1:26-28, 12:1-3; 1 Cor 6:9-11, 10:31-33; 2 Cor 9:6-9, Eph 5:1-6:4; Heb 12:1-2, 13:4; 1 John 2:3-6

THE ORDINANCES OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

We believe the local church is enjoined to practice the ordinances of baptism (Matt 28:19) and the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19-20).  Baptism signifies repentance and the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16), identifies the believer with Christ (Rom 6:3-8), and publicly initiates one into the Church (1 Cor 12:13).  We believe baptism should normally be conducted by immersion (Mark 1:9) as a public profession of one’s faith in Jesus Christ.

The Lord’s Supper is an occasion for reflection and celebration of Christ’s life and loving sacrifice (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor 11:23-26).  Participation in the Lord’s Supper involves thanksgiving (1 Cor 10:16) and sober self-examination, with the confession of sins (1 Cor 11:20-22, 27-29).  Doing so is intended to emphasize the importance of Jesus’ death for us on a regular basis, “until He comes” (1 Cor 11:26).  Though Christ is not physically or supernaturally a part of the bread and wine, as some would teach, He is spiritually present in the celebration.

CHRISTIAN LIBERTY

We believe that every human being has direct relations with God, and is ultimately responsible to God alone in all matters of faith.  We also believe that God wants us to be unencumbered by man-made religious requirements in order that we can serve Him from our hearts.  We must take care to not enslave ourselves to regulations.  We are, however, accountable to each other as Christian brothers and sisters, and must be submissive to leadership.  Last of all, we believe that the local church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority.  While this protects us from interference, we will seek relationships with other churches.  Heb. 13:17; 1Tim. 2:5; Rom. 14:7-9, 12

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ will visibly return to earth, in person, to establish His Kingdom.  At that time our bodies will be resurrected, all will be judged, the righteous will enjoy eternal happiness and the wicked will suffer endlessly.  Matt 16:27; Mark 14:62; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Phil 3:20; 1 Thess. 4:15; 2 Tim 4:1; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor. 4:5, 15; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Rev 20:4-6, 11-15