Our Beliefs

1 Peter 3:15

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,"

The Bible: We believe that only the sixty-six books of the Bible are the inspired Word of God, and therefore infallible. The Bible is the final authority for everything we believe and for how we are to live. (Matthew 5:18; John 10:35, 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

The Deity of Christ: We believe that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh—fully God and fully man—conceived and born of a virgin, who lived a sinless life and offered Himself as a penal and substitutionary sacrifice for sinners. Through His shed blood on the cross, He obtained for us eternal redemption, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. He rose again on the third day and ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He intercedes for the saints forever. (Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1-18; Romans 8:34; 1 Chronicles 15:1-28; 2 Chronicles 5:21; Galatians 3:10-14; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 1:15-23; Hebrews 7:25, 9:13-15, 10:19; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 John 2:1-2)

Salvation: We believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. No ordinance, ritual, work, or any other human activity is required or accepted for salvation. This saving grace of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, also sanctifies us by enabling us to do what is pleasing to God so that we may be progressively conformed to the image of Christ. (John 1:12-13, 6:37-44, 10:25-30; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 3–4, 8:1-17, 31-39, 10:8-10; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Titus 3:3-7; 1 John 1:7, 9)

The Holy Spirit: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit, in whom we are also sealed for the day of redemption. The Holy Spirit regenerates, indwells permanently, and graciously equips the believer for godly living and service. After conversion, the Spirit desires to fill, empower, and anoint believers for ministry and witness. We also believe that the signs and wonders, as well as all the gifts of the Spirit described in the New Testament, are active today and are meant to testify to the presence of the Kingdom and to empower and build up the Church to fulfill its calling and mission. (Matthew 3:11; John 1:12-13, 3:1-15; Acts 4:29-30; Romans 8:9, 12:3-8; 1 Chronicles 12:12-13; 2 Chronicles 1:21-22; Galatians 3:1-5; Ephesians 1:13-14, 5:18)

The Trinity: We believe that the one true God exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that these, being one God, are equal in deity, power, and glory. We believe that God not only created the world, but also sustains, governs, and providentially directs all things, and will bring all things to their proper consummation in Christ Jesus for the glory of His name. (Psalm 104, 139; Matthew 10:29-31, 28:19; Acts 17:24-28; 2 Chronicles 13:14; Ephesians 1:9-12, 4:4-6; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4-6)

Heaven and Hell: We believe that when a Christian dies, they enter the blessed presence of Christ, enjoying conscious fellowship with the Savior until the day of resurrection and the glorious transformation of their body. Then the redeemed will live forever in joyful fellowship with our great triune God. We also believe that when an unbeliever dies, they are sent to hell to await the Day of Judgment, when they will be punished with eternal, conscious separation from the presence of God. (Matthew 25:46; Luke 16:19-31; John 5:25-29; 1 Chronicles 15:35-58; 2 Chronicles 5:1-10; Philippians 1:19-26, 3:20-21; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20:11-15, 21:1–22:15)

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper: We believe that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances of the Church to be observed until Christ’s return. They are not a means of salvation, but channels of God’s sanctifying grace and blessing for believers in Christ Jesus. (Matthew 26:26-29, 28:19; Romans 6:3-11; 1 Chronicles 11:23-34; 1 Peter 3:21)

The Second Coming: We believe in the literal Second Coming of Christ at the end of the age, when He will return to Earth personally and visibly to consummate His Kingdom. We believe and are praying for a great harvest of souls in the last days and the rise of a victorious Church that will experience unprecedented unity, purity, and power in the Holy Spirit. (Psalm 2:7-9, 22:27-28; John 14:12, 17:20-26; Romans 11:25-32; 1 Chronicles 15:20-28, 50-58; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12; Revelation 7:9-14)

Original Sin: We believe that Adam was originally created in the image of God, righteous and without sin. Because of his disobedience, Adam’s descendants are born subject to both imputed and inherent sin, and therefore, by nature and choice, are children of wrath, justly condemned in God’s sight, and completely unable to save themselves or contribute in any way to their acceptance with God. (Genesis 1–3; Psalm 51:5; Isaiah 53:5; Romans 3:9-18, 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:1-3)

The Local Church: We believe that the Church is God’s primary instrument through which He is fulfilling His redemptive purposes on earth. To equip the saints for the work of ministry, God has given apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. We also affirm the priesthood of all believers and the importance of every Christian joining and actively participating in a local community of saints. We believe that women, no less than men, are called and gifted to proclaim the Gospel and to do all the works of the Kingdom. (Matthew 16:17-19; Acts 2:17-18, 42; Ephesians 3:14-21, 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10)

The Great Commission: We believe that God has called the Church to preach the Gospel to all nations, and especially to remember the poor and meet their needs through sacrificial giving and practical service. This ministry is an expression of the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ and is an essential part of the Kingdom of God. (Isaiah 58:6-12, 61:1; Matthew 5–7, 28:18-20; Luke 4:18, 21:1-4; Galatians 2:10; 1 Timothy 6:8)

Satan: We believe that Satan, originally the great and good angel Lucifer, rebelled against God, taking a multitude of angels with him. He was cast out from the presence of God and works with his demonic hosts to establish his counter-kingdom of darkness, evil, and unrest on the earth. Satan was judged and defeated at the cross of Christ and will be thrown forever into the lake of fire prepared for him and his angels. (Isaiah 14:10-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew 12:25-29, 25:41; John 12:31, 16:11; Ephesians 6:10-20; Colossians 2:15; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-9, 20:10)