Statement
of Faith
God The Father
God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things (Genesis. 1:1; Acts 17: 24-28). He is spirit not flesh and blood (John 4:24). He is personal, and we were created to enjoy a personal relationship with Him (Genesis 3:8; Hebrews. 1:1,2; Revelation 21:3-4). We must never forget, however, that God is also infinite and eternal. Infinite love, holiness, wisdom, goodness, all power and all knowledge are His. Though God is with us, He is also far beyond our ability to completely know and understand (Romans 11:23-26)
Christ The Son
Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, was crucified, died and was buried. On the third day He physically rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven. Jesus was fully God but also fully man – not two separate persons within one body but one person with two natures joined together. His offices are that of Prophet – revealing God to man (John 1:18; Hebrews1:1,2), Priest – offering sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 7-10), and King – He lives and reigns forever as Lord of lords and King of kings (Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 19:16).
The Holy Spirit
He is the third Person of the Trinity, not an impersonal force. He is as real and as active today as He was in the book of Acts. Every true Christian is in-dwelt by the Spirit (Romans 8:9), but we must daily seek to be filled and controlled by the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; 4:30; I Thessalonians 5:19). He is the Source of Christian character (Galatians 5:22-23) and ministry (I Corinthians 12; Romans 12).
The Trinity
The word is not found in the Bible, yet the concept is the clear teaching of Scripture. Within the one nature of God there are three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father is God (I Peter 1:2), the Son is God (John 1:1; 8:58; Exodus. 3:14; Isaiah. 9:6; Hebrews 1:8), and the Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4; John 14:16-18, 23; II Corinthians 3:17). At the same time, the Scripture teaches that God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4). Unless the Scripture is self-contradictory, the doctrine of the Trinity is the only possible explanation.
The Bible
The Bible is the Word of God (II Timothy 3:16-17). Inerrant in its original manuscripts, when rightly interpreted it is an infallible guide in all matters of faith and practice. Without God’s written revelation we would know nothing with certainty about God and His purpose for our lives. Unless indicated otherwise by grammar, style or context, it is usually best to interpret the Bible literally.
Eternal Life & Salvation
Salvation from sin and access to God is available only through the work of Christ on the cross. Salvation is received solely by faith in Jesus Christ and is given only by God’s grace, mercy, and love, (Ephesians 2:8-9). In conversion, the believer is drawn by God (1 Corinthians 1:9), repents from sins, is declared wholly righteous (1 John 1:9), and is reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). At this point, the believer is filled with the fullness of the Holy Spirit through whom he is empowered for a life of obedience (Ephesians 1:13-14). The cross is sufficient to cover the sins of all who believe (John 3:16; John 17:3).
The Church
All who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are united with Him as members of His body, the one true church. Scripture commands believers to gather for worship, prayer, fellowship, and the teaching of the Word; to observe Baptism and Communion as established by Jesus Christ; to serve one another and reach out to the world. The local expression of the church is wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to these commands. Church members are to work together in love and unity for the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.
Angels, Satan, and Demons
The Bible affirms the reality of these supernatural, created beings. Angels are special agents of God sent to guide, protect and minister to Christians (Hebrews 1:13-14). Satan and his demons are fallen angels and arch-enemies of Christ and His people. The Christian has authority over Satan in the name of Jesus but we must be careful to protect against Satan’s attacks (Ephesians 6:10-18; I Peter 5:8-9; II Corinthians 11: 13-15)
Things To Come
Death for the Christian is the separation of body and soul in which the body is buried and the soul continues conscious existence in the presence of Christ (II Corinthians 5:8). Body and soul will be reunited at the resurrection of believers at the return of Christ when both living and dead in Christ will be caught up together to be with Him forever (I Corinthians 15:50; I Thessalonians 4:13-18). Christ’s return to earth will be literal, personal, glorious and triumphant for the purpose of finally establishing His kingdom. Christians will be judged by Christ to determine their reward (II Corinthians 5:10). Non-Christians will be judged in a separate and final judgment according to their deeds (Rev. 20:11-15). Heaven and Hell are the eternal abodes of those saved and those lost in which persons consciously experience either the glorious blessing of eternal fellowship with God or the agonizing pain of eternal separation from Him (II Thessalonians 1:9-10).