What We Believe

We teach that there is but one true and living God, who exists in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – each possessing all the attributes of deity and deserving of our worship and obedience.  In the beginning God created out of nothing the universe and all things therein, thus manifesting the glory of His power, wisdom and goodness.  By His sovereign power, He continues to sustain His creation.  By His providence, He is operating throughout history to fulfill His plan of redemption.  (Matthew 28:19; Genesis 1:1)

We teach that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man (John 1:1-3, 14). He is the only begotten Son of God who came to save the world (John 3:16-17). Having been born of the virgin Mary, Jesus lived a totally sinless life, and was therefore qualified to pay for our sins by dying on the cross as our Substitute.  He literally and physically rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father where He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest.  We teach that Jesus will return to earth, personally and visibly, to consummate history and judge all mankind according to the eternal plan of God. (1 Corinthians 15:1-8)

We teach the Holy Spirit is divine, coequal with the Father and the Son in all the divine attributes. The Spirit has continually guided the Church into all truth (John 16:12-13). He becomes a source of assurance, strength and wisdom for every believer.  The Holy Spirit will enable believers to walk in holiness and obedience as children of God ought to walk.  Christians are endowed with spiritual gifts through the sovereign act of the Holy Spirit.  These gifts are intended to strengthen the church and glorify Christ. Each believer is marked with a seal, The Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance (Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30, Galatians 5:16, 22-23)

The sole basis of our belief is the Bible, composed of sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments.  We believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and that it was given through chosen men.  Scripture speaks with the authority of God and reflects the backgrounds, styles and vocabularies of the human authors.  It is the final authority on all matters of faith and practice and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God.  (2 Timothy 3:16)

The central purpose of God’s revelation in Scripture is to call all people into a participating relationship with Himself—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Originally created to have fellowship with God, man defied God, choosing to go his independent way, and therefore man alienated himself from God.  Because of this, man cannot save himself.  Therefore, the salvation of mankind is wholly a work of God’s free grace, not the result in whole or in part of human works or goodness (Ephesians 2:8-9).  This salvation is a gift, made available through faith in Jesus Christ as a believer repents of his sins, confesses his faith, and is baptized by immersion into Him.  (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:9; John 3:16; Acts 2:38)

A participating relationship with Jesus Christ joins all believers to the Body of Christ, the Church (Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12, 27, Ephesians 1:22-23).
 
The Scripture commands believers to gather together to devote themselves to worship, prayer, teaching the Word, to observe the ordinances commanded by Jesus Christ, fellowship, service to the body through the development and use of talents and gifts and outreach to the world.
 
Wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to His command, there is the local expression of the church.  Under the protection and oversight of the elders, its members are to work together in love and unity, with the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ and making disciples of all nations. (Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 4:1-16, Matthew 28:19-20).

The Lord’s Supper or Communion is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes again.  Though the elements of communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, the Lord’s Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ, who is present in a unique way, fellowshipping with His people. (1 Corinthians 11:23-29).