GOD
GOD THE FATHER
We believe that there is only one true and living God. He is the Creator and Ruler of all. He is compassionate, loving and just toward all people and is faithful to keep all of His promises.
Genesis 1; Matthew 7:7, 12:50; Ephesians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:4-5; Exod 34:5-7
GOD THE SON
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He came to earth fully God and fully man through a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He lived a sinless life and voluntarily died on the cross in our place as full payment for the sins of all people. He arose bodily from the dead on the third day to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended into heaven to the right hand of the Father where He is the only One who is able to provide access and reconciliation between God and man. He will return personally and visibly to earth and those who have believed in Him will be united with God eternally in Heaven. Those who have not believed in Him will be separated from God in Hell due to their sin.
Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 24:1-8; John 1:1-5, 1:14, 3:16, 3:18, 11:25, 14:6-7, 14:9-11, 14:16; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4, 5:8-11, 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:24-25; Titus 2:13-14; Revelation 19:20, 20:15
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, Counselor and Helper sent for believers. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit who reveals God’s truth to the world and indwells believers to empower them for Godly life and service. We believe in the diversity of gifts given by the Spirit for the common good of the church and that they are operating today.
John 14:15-17, 14:25-26, 15:26, 16:5-15; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31
THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, written by the hands of men, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We believe is it accurate. We accept it as the final authority on Earth. We believe it is our guide and instruction for sound doctrine and healthy conduct.
Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16, 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18, 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2, 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21
THE CHURCH
We believe the Church is the Body of Christ made up of all born-again people. We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in New Testament scripture. We believe the Church is God’s plan and vessel through which he works His divine will on earth. We believe Christians are to be part of a local church, and the Church is called to minister to the individual, the community, and the world.
Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 1:22,23, Ephesians 5:25-27, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 2 Corinthians 11:2, Acts 13:1-4; 14:27; 15:19-31; 18:22; 20:17; 20:28, 1 Timothy 3:1-3, Titus 1:5-11, Romans 16:1-4, 1 Corinthians 3:9, 1 Corinthians 5:4-7, 1 Peter 5:1-4
SALVATION
THROUGH CHRIST ALONE
We believe that due to universal death through sin, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born again. (Born from above) Good moral behavior does not accomplish this. Water baptism or any other ordinance commanded cannot accomplish this. Our redemption has been accomplished solely by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. No feeling, no good resolutions, no sincere efforts, no submission to the rules and regulations of any church or denomination entitles man to salvation. It is through Christ alone. We do believe that salvation includes these four things, REGENERATION, JUSTIFICATION, SANCTIFICATION and GLORIFICATION.
Leviticus 17:11, Isaiah 64:6, Matthew 26:28, John 3:7-18, Romans 5:6-9, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 1:18-19
REGENERATION
Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God’s grace as “believers” become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It occurs after someone has responded by faith to God’s call. Once someone responds by faith, the Holy Spirit regenerates the person which entails a change of heart, and a new nature is given to the person, which wants to obey.
The person is adopted into God’s family and the Holy Spirit now indwells the believer.
JUSTIFICATION
Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor with God.
Acts 13:39, Romans 3:21-26, Romans 4:23-25
SANCIFICATION
Sanctification, beginning in regeneration, which is a setting-apart unto God. After confession of faith, the new believer retains his sin nature, which cannot be eradicated in this life. Therefore, while the standing of the Christian in Christ is perfect, his present state is no more perfect than his experience in daily life. There is, therefore, a progressive sanctification wherein the Christian is to “grow in grace,” and to “be changed” by the unhindered power of the Spirit.
Exodus 13:2, Exodus 19:10,14, 23, Exodus 28:41, Jeremiah 1:5, 2 Chronicles 7:16, John 17:17; 2 Cor. 3:18; 7:1; Eph. 4:24; 5:25–27; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 10:10, 14; 12:10
GLORIFICATION
Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final abiding state of the redeemed. The redeemed will receive their new glorified bodies and will not possess a sin nature and nor will they ever be able to rebel again.
Luke 10:20, 1 Corinthians 15:51, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Philippians 3:20
THE GREAT COMMISSION
PEOPLE WITH A PASSION CAN CHANGE THE WORLD
We often refer to the ‘great commission’ as if it was one single Scripture. It is one command but it is given in five separate scripture locations. In each of the references the message is essentially the same, but there is a different emphasis placed upon each one of them.
Matthew 28:16-19, Mark 16:14-17, Luke 24:44-49, John 20:21-23, Acts 1:4-8