Statement of Faith

Our beliefs are rooted in the historic Christian faith and the authority of Scripture

About the Bible

We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are verbally and fully inspired by God, inerrant in the original writings, and the final authority for faith and life (Ps. 19:7-11; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21). God's Word is sufficient and must test every tradition, creed, and teaching (Isa. 8:20; Matt. 22:29; Acts 17:11; Gal. 1:8-9). We interpret Scripture by a normal historical-grammatical method, recognizing literary forms, and affirm God's distinct program for Israel and the Church (Luke 24:27; Acts 1:6-7; 1 Cor. 10:32; 2 Tim. 2:15).

About God

We believe there is one true and living God, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equal in essence, glory, and majesty (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14). The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Spirit, yet each Person is fully divine (John 1:1; Acts 5:3-4; Heb. 1:8). God created all things by His word, out of nothing, sustains all things by His power, and governs history for His glory (Gen. 1:1; John 1:3; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3; Rev. 4:11).

About Jesus Christ

We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully man, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and without sin (John 1:1,14; Matt. 1:23; Col. 2:9; Heb. 4:15). He died as our substitutionary sacrifice, was buried, rose bodily on the third day, and ascended to the Father's right hand as our Advocate and High Priest (1 Cor. 15:3-4; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2). He will return personally and visibly for His Church and later reign as King over all the earth (John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; Rev. 19:11-16; 20:1-6).

About The Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead, fully divine and eternal with the Father and the Son (Matt. 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 13:14). He convicts the world of sin, regenerates all who believe, and baptizes every believer into the body of Christ at the moment of faith (John 16:8-11; John 3:5-8; Titus 3:5; 1 Cor. 12:13). He permanently indwells and seals each believer for the day of redemption, and He empowers obedient believers for holy living and service through His gifts (Rom. 8:9; Eph. 1:13-14; 5:18; 1 Cor. 12:4-7; Gal. 5:22-23).

About Man

We believe humanity was directly created by God, male and female, in His image, with dignity, moral responsibility, and purpose to glorify Him (Gen. 1:26-27; Ps. 8:4-6). Through Adam's sin, the whole human race fell under sin and death; therefore every person is spiritually lost and unable to save himself (Rom. 3:23; 5:12; Eph. 2:1-3; Jer. 17:9). Salvation is found in Christ alone (John 3:16-18; Acts 4:12). We affirm God's design of two complementary sexes and marriage as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, and we affirm sexual purity within that covenant (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6; 1 Cor. 6:18-20; Heb. 13:4).

About Salvation

We believe eternal salvation is the free gift of God, received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, apart from works (John 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 4:4-5; Acts 16:31). Christ's finished work - His death for our sins and bodily resurrection - is the only basis of justification before God (Rom. 3:24-26; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:18). The one who believes has eternal life, is forgiven, and is secure forever by God's promise and power (John 5:24; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1,38-39; 1 John 5:11-13). Good works and discipleship are the expected fruit of grace and affect fellowship and reward, but never the possession of eternal life (Eph. 2:10; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10).

About the Baptism

We believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs once, at the moment a person believes in Christ, uniting that believer with Christ and with His body, the Church (1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-28). This work is spiritual, universal for all believers in this age, and not a second blessing to be sought after conversion (Eph. 1:13-14; 4:4-5). Water baptism is distinct, serving as the public testimony of faith and obedience to Christ (Matt. 28:19; Acts 8:36-38).

About The Great Commission

We believe the Great Commission is the calling of every believer and every local church in this present age (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). We are sent to proclaim the gospel to all people, make disciples, baptize new believers, and teach them to obey Christ's Word (Luke 24:46-48; 2 Tim. 2:2). We also pray for and send laborers for church planting and gospel witness among all nations (Matt. 9:37-38; Rom. 10:13-15).

About The Church

We believe the Church is the body and future bride of Christ, made up of all believers from Pentecost until Christ comes for His Church (Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27). In God's plan, the Church is distinct from Israel while sharing in God's redemptive purpose through Christ (1 Cor. 10:32; Rom. 11:25-29). Local churches are to worship, teach Scripture, observe baptism and the Lord's Supper, disciple believers, and send the gospel to the nations under biblically qualified leadership (Acts 2:41-42; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9).

About Satan

We believe Satan is a real personal being, originally created as a holy angel, who rebelled against God through pride (Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:13-17). He is now the adversary of God and His people, the deceiver of the nations, and the ruler of this present world system (2 Cor. 4:4; 11:13-15; 1 Pet. 5:8; Rev. 12:9-10). Though judged at the cross, he remains active until his final defeat, when he will be cast forever into the lake of fire (John 12:31; Col. 2:15; Rev. 20:1-3,10).

About Final Events

We believe in the imminent return of Christ for His Church, followed by a future time of tribulation on the earth (John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 3:10). After that period, Christ will return bodily and visibly to the earth, judge the nations, restore Israel, and establish His literal thousand-year kingdom (Dan. 9:24-27; Zech. 14:3-11; Matt. 24:29-31; Rev. 19:11-16; 20:1-6; Rom. 11:25-29). At the end of the millennium, Satan will be finally judged, the unbelieving dead will stand before the Great White Throne, and God will create the new heavens and new earth where the redeemed dwell forever with Him (Rev. 20:7-15; 21:1-4; 22:1-5).

Have Questions?

We'd love to discuss our beliefs with you and answer any questions you may have about our faith.