Statement of Faith

THE SCRIPTURES

We believe the Bible to be the verbally, written inspired word of God, without error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice. 2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Pet. 1:20-21, Isa. 55:8-10, John 17:17, Matt. 5:17-18, 1 Pet. 1:23-25, Heb. 4:12, John 14:25-26, John 16:12-15, Gal. 1:11- 12, 2 Pet. 3:15-16.

THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, The Eternal Son of God, became a man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary in order that he might reveal God and redeem sinful man. We believe that He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a substitution sacrifice. We believe that our redemption and salvation is guaranteed by His resurrection from the dead. 1 Cor. 15:1-9, John 1:1-3,14-18, Luke 1:35, Phil. 2:5-8, Matt. 11:27-30, John 5:16-29, 8:54-58, 10:27-30, Matt. 20:28, John 3:16, Rom. 3:23-26, Rom. 4:25, 5:6- 10.

We believe that the Lord Jesus is now in heaven, exalted to the right hand of God, where as High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of intercession and advocacy for His people. Phil. 2;9-11, Rom 8:34, Heb. 1:3, 3:1, 2:14-18, 4:14, 7:23-25, 1 John 2:1-2.

CREATION

We believe that all things in heaven and earth were created by God and exist by His power. Gen. 1:1, Jn 1:1-3, Col. 1:15-17, Heb. 1:1-2, 2 Pet. 3:5.

SANCTIFICATION

We believe that sanctification, which is a setting apart for God, is positional, progressive, and ultimate. Positionally it is already complete since the believer is in Christ and is set apart unto God as Christ is set apart unto God. 1 Cor. 1:2, 6:11, Heb. 10:10.

Since he retains his sinful nature, however, there is need for progressive sanctification whereby the Christian grows in grace by the power of the Holy Spirit. John 17:17, Rom. 6:19-22, 12:1, 1 Cor. 6:19- 20, 1 Thess. 5:23, 2 Tim. 2:20-22, Heb. 12:14, 1 Pet. 2:1-2, 2 Pet. 3:18.

BAPTISM

We believe that by water baptism a believer is publicly identified with Christ. We believe that salvation comes through an individual’s personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, and that baptism is reserved for those who have made that decision. Matt. 28:18-20, Acts 2:41, Eph. 4:4-6.

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

We believe in the personal, imminent coming of The Lord Jesus Christ for the church. We believe in His subsequent return to earth in power and glory to set up His Messianic, millennial kingdom. John 14:1-3, Acts 1:9-11, 3:19-21, 15:14-18, 1 Cor. 15:50-54, Rev. 19:11-16, 20:4-6, 22:20.

THE GODHEAD

We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who have the same nature and attributes but who are distinct in office and activity. Matt. 28:19, 2 Cor. 13:14, Eph. 2:18, Heb. 9:14, 1 Pet. 1:2.

THE PERSON AND THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that God the Holy Spirit is a person who leads and guides in all truth, restrains evil in the world and convicts men of sin. He regenerates those who receive Christ as Savior. He bestows spiritual gifts on each one and fills those yielded to Him. Jn 16:7-11, Jn 3:8, 1 Cor 12:4-13, Jn 14:16-17, Eph 1:13-14, 4:30, 5:18.

We believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were given to the church to authenticate it in the world today. We believe that these gifts are to be used according to and governed by the scriptures. 1 Cor. 14:39, 1 Cor. 12:7-10, 14:5, 14:27.

SALVATION

We believe that salvation is a gift of God and is received by man through personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin. We believe that man is justified by grace though apart from works. John 3:16-17, 5:24, Acts 13:38-39, 16:29-31, Rom. 3:21-28, 4:1-8, 5:1, 6:23, 8:1, Eph. 2:8-9, Titus 3:4-7.

THE CHURCH

We believe the church, the body and bride of Christ is a spiritual organism made up of all born again believers. We believe the church was birthed at Pentecost. Matt. 16:18, 1 Cor. 10:32, 12:13, Eph. 1:22-23, 2:11-22, 3:1-7.

We believe the local church is made up of believers in Christ who have joined themselves together for the purpose of worship, study of the word of God, observance of the ordinances, fellowship, and to be equipped for Christian services. Acts 2:42-47, 1 Cor. 1:1-2, Rom. 15:5-14, Eph. 4:11-16, Heb. 10:24-25.

COMMUNION

We believe that the Lord’s supper is a memorial of Christ’s death, the elements being symbols of His body and the blood, to be observed until Christ returns. We believe that participation should be preceded by solemn self-examination and reflection on the meaning of the ordinance. Matt. 26:26- 29, Acts 2:42-47, 1 Cor. 11:23-34.

ETERNAL LIFE

We believe that the souls of believers in Jesus at death immediately pass in to His presence, and remain there until the resurrection of the body at His coming for the church, when soul and body will be reunited and be with Him forever in glory. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain in hell until the final judgment of the Great White Throne at the close of the millennium when the soul and body will be reunited and cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be destroyed, but punished with everlasting separation from The Lord. Luke 16:19-26, 23:43, John 5:25-29, 2 Cor. 5:8, Phil. 11:21-24, 1 Thess. 4:13-17, 2 Thess. 1:7-9, Rev. 20:11-15.