Statement of Beliefs

The Trinity

We believe there is one God Deut. 6:4 who has revealed Himself not only as the Father of all creation, but He has also revealed Himself through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ Col. 1:15; John. 1:1, 14; and Jude 25 and He continues to reveal Himself through the Holy Spirit John. 15:26. These three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, make up what the Bible calls “The Godhead” Col 2:9. These three are one in substance and purpose, but are different in position and authority John 14:28; 16:7 and they are eternally three different revelations of the one true and living God; therefore, we adhere to what has been called “The Doctrine of the Trinity” Mt. 28:19; Luke 3:22; 1 Pet. 1.2.

The Son

We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, and in His miracles Luke 1:32,35; 1 Pet. 2:22-24. We believe Jesus Christ was both fully human and fully God Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 4:15. He is the expressed image of the invisible God Col. 1:15 and He is to be worshipped not only for what He has done, but for who He is Rev. 5:8-9. We believe Jesus Christ died for our sins John. 1:29, rose from the dead in triumph over Satan, hell and death Phil. 2:9-11; Acts 4.12 and ascended to the right hand of the Father where He makes constant intercession for His chosen ones. We believe He will personally return to the earth in glory and power Mark 16.9; Heb. 7:25; 1 Thess. 3:13.

The Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit was sent into the world to convict of sin and to empower true believers to live a holy and godly life and to be His witnesses John. 16:8; Luke 24:49; Isa. 43:10; Acts 1:8, 2:1-4; 1 Pet. 1:16.

Man

We believe God created the universe by the power of His word and He personally created man in His own image Gen. 1-2. We believe man was tested and fell. Man is spiritually depraved and unable to attain to holiness and righteousness apart from God. The complete salvation of sinful men is dependent upon regeneration by the Holy Spirit Titus 3:5; 2 Thess. 2:13; Gal. 2:16; Jer. 3:23; Isa. 44:19-21; Eph. 2:1-5. We believe salvation is a free gift by God’s grace; one receives God”s gift of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ’s finished work in the cross, and even one”s faith is a gift of God whereby no one can boast in any work of his own Acts 2: 37-38; Eph. 2:1-10; 1 Jn. 1:9. We believe there is a literal hell which is a place reserved for Satan, demons, and all the unregenerate. There is a literal Heaven which is a place designed by God for His children. Isa. 30:33; Mt. 13:30, 37-43; Luke 6:23-26; Rev. 20:10-15.

The Holy Bible

We believe the 66 books of the Holy Bible are the inspired Word of God and are applicable and relevant for us today as when originally written 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Ps. 119:11; 2 Pet. 1:20-21. We believe the Holy Bible clearly demonstrates the nature and purpose of God in His relationship with men and our relationships with each other. We believe the church lives under the authority of the Word of God as it is revealed and mediated through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit uses the written Word to renew the Church and nourish faith 2 Tim. 3:16-17, 4:2.

Baptism

We believe water baptism by immersion is an act of obedience for the burial, by faith, of the old, unregenerate self and resurrection into a new life as part of God’s family Mt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; 19:1-5; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12. We believe the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a separate and distinct experience from water baptism and is a special provision for life and service Acts 8:15-17, 10:44-47, 11:15-16, 19:2-6.

Responsibilities of the Believer

We believe, as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are to be witnesses, ambassadors, and agents of reconciliation to all those possible both near and far 1 Pet. 2:9-12; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:18-20. We believe, as Gods agents of love, He extends to us a responsibility to help the poor and unfortunate and our lifestyles should reflect that responsibility Mt. 25:31-46; Isa. 10:1-4, 58:3-7; Prov. 14:31. We believe prayer and intercession are an essential part of church responsibility to pray for the nations and wage war against the powers of darkness Mark 11:15-18; Isa. 56:7, 62:2; 2 Cor. 10:1-5.

Communion

We believe in the institution of Communion around the Lord’s table in remembrance of His broken body and shed blood in celebration of His gift of eternal life 1Cor. 10:16, 12:12-13. Statement 9. Unity We believe in the spiritual unity of the Body of Christ. Jesus Christ is the head and we are to live, as far as possible, in peace with all men in commitment to a covenanted community lifestyle of unity and oneness as living demonstration of the redemptive love of our Lord Eph. 3-6; Jn. 17; 1 Cor. 13. We believe all other points of doctrine are peripheral to the issues of salvation, true faith and godliness and argument, discussion or debate on them will only lead to disunity, fragmentation, and ruin of the hearers. What matters most to God is the preparing of a pure and holy people for His own possession from every tongue, tribe, and nation for residence in Heaven 1 Tim. 6:20-21; 2 Tim. 2:14; Rev. 21:1-7.

Marriage

We believe that marriage is a holy covenant before God Mal. 2:14 and is to consist only of one man and one woman Matt. 19:5-6

Sexual Behavior

We believe, at creation, the gift of sex was among those things God declared to be “very good” Gen. 1:31. Sex that honors God’s guidelines and standards is pleasurable. He designed sexual activity to be physically enjoyable, emotionally satisfying, psychologically fulfilling, and spiritually meaningful because He delights in the joys and pleasures of His creatures Song of Sol. 4:1-16. According to God’s plan, sexual intimacy is the exclusive prerogative of husband and wife within the context of marriage 1 Thess. 4:3-8.