Statement of Faith

The Bible:

The Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, is God’s verbally inspired (God-breathed) word to all. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. The scriptures are inspired by God, and are the revelation of God to man. They are infallible and inerrant in the original manuscripts. They are the unique, full and final authority on all matters of theology, morality, faith and practice, and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God. Matthew 5:18; John 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21

Humanity:

We believe in the creation. We believe that mankind was originally created, by God, in His image, in perfect community with God, wholly good and free from sin. He created them male and female, Adam and Eve. Mankind has chosen sin by a voluntary act of personal disobedience. Sin brings about spiritual and physical death. All have sinned, and are eternally separated, as a people, from God because of their sin. Genesis 1:26-27, 2:17; 3:6, 6:5; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9;Romans 3:23; 5:8,12-21; 7:18; Ephesians 2:1-3

Eternity:

People are created to exist forever. Every person will exist eternally, either separated from God because of sin; or in union with God through faith in His forgiveness and salvation that is given through Jesus Christ. To be eternally separated from God will result in an individual spending eternity in hell. To be eternally in union with God will result in an individual spending eternity in heaven. Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence. Matthew 25:46; John 5:25-29; 1 Corinthians 15:35-38; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Philippians 1:19-26; 3:20-21; Revelation 20:11-15, 21:1-22:15

God:

We believe in one God, the almighty creator and ruler of the universe and of all that is seen and unseen. He has eternally existed as three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. They are equal in deity, power, and glory, and worthy of the same worship and obedience. God is infinite in love, perfect in judgments, and unchanging in righteousness and mercy. Genesis 1:26; Psalm 45:6-7; 68:5; 104:1-35; 110:1; Isaiah 64:8; Matthew 3:13-17; 10:29-31; 28:17-20; 2 Corinthians 12:14; Ephesians 1:9-12; Colossians 1:16-17; Revelation 1:4-6

The Lord Jesus Christ:

We believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of God, and that He was Incarnate, fully God and fully man. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and died for our sins according to the scriptures. He was buried, and bodily raised from the dead after three days according to the Scriptures. The shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross provides the sole basis for redemption, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. Therefore, salvation only occurs when a person places their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as the sufficient payment for their sin. He ascended to the right hand of Father God and is interceding for the saints. He will return in glory to judge both the living and the dead, reign in righteousness, and there will be no end to his kingdom. Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1-18; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:10-14; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 1:15-23; Hebrews 7:25; 9:1-15; 10:19; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 John 2:1-2

The Holy Spirit:

The Holy Spirit is equal with God the Father and God the Son, as God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their sin and need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every believer from the moment of salvation. He also provides the Christian with power for living, understanding truth, and guidance in doing God’s will and what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His leading daily. The Holy Spirit regenerates, indwells, and graciously equips the Christian for Godly living and service. Subsequent to conversion, the Holy Spirit desires to fill, empower, and anoint believers for the ministry and witness. We believe this is a secondary experience apart from conversion, also known as the “baptism of the Holy Spirit”. We also believe that signs and wonders, as well as all the gifts of the Holy Spirit as described in the New Testament, are operative today, and are designed to testify to the gospel, edify the Church to maturity, and supernaturally empower the church to fulfill and carry out her calling and ministry on earth. Matthew 3:11-17; John 3:1-15; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 4:29-30; Romans 8:9; 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Galatians 3:1-5; Ephesians 1:13-14, 5:18

Salvation:

We believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ Jesus alone. Salvation is a gift from God. Men and Women can never make up for their sin by self-improvement, rituals, or good works. Only through repentance and trusting in Jesus Christ’s perfect and sufficient work on the cross and His resurrection can one obtain remission of their sins and be spiritually Born Again. John 3:16-18; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:21-26; 5:11; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 9:12,22

Spirit-Filled Living:

The saving grace of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, also sanctifies us by enabling us to do what is pleasing in God’s sight that we might progressively conform to the image of Christ. The Holy Spirit empowers the Christian to walk in ways that the world would describe as supernatural as He gifts His people to live a life of power and holiness;  a life that produces the fruits of the Spirit, a separation from worldliness, and growing in love and holiness. He also graces us with opportunity and authority to advance His Kingdom throughout the earth. Ephesians 5:18, 1 Corinthians 6:14, 7:1; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 12:14, 13:12; 1 Peter 1:15-16

The Church:

We believe the church is the body of Christ, the community of Christ followers, of which Jesus Christ is the head. The members are those who have trusted, by faith, in the finished work of Jesus Christ. The purpose of the church is to glorify God by demonstrating our passion for Him, His passion for people, and advance His desires on earth through the leading and power of His Spirit. The Church is God’s primary instrument through which He is fulfilling His redemptive purposes in the earth. To equip the saints for the work of the ministry, God has given the Church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. We also affirm the priesthood of the believers and the importance of every Christian being joined with and actively involved in a local community of the saints.

The Local Church, also known as a congregation, is the local body of Christ, with its own local church government. In Hebrews 13:17, church leaders must give account for the flock. The members of that local church are to obey and submit to their leaders. It is important for all believers to be connected to a local body of believers, i.e. the local church. It is in the context of the local church where community, equipping, fellowship, accountability, service, discipleship, and care for one another takes place. We believe that we, the community of Jesus Christ followers, are called to be like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose, doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility considering others better than ourselves. Each of us should look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others. Matthew 16:17-19; Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 3:14-21; 4:11-16; Philippians 1:1, 2:1-11; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; Titus 3:14; Hebrews 10:23-25; 13:17; 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10