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THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible, including the Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired words of God. It is God’s self-disclosure to mankind. All scripture reveals and leads us to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible, in its original writings, is sufficient, free from error and holds the final authority for faith and life. All believers are urged to study and apply the whole of Scripture to their lives.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12-13)
GOD
We believe there is one God existing in three unique and distinct persons (triune) - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, co-equal in being, nature, power and glory. God is the author, creator and sustainer of life. He is infinite, eternal, sovereign and perfect in holiness, truth, justice and love.
(Gen 1:1, Psalm 90:2, Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST
We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal and only son of God, the image of the invisible God and the radiance of His glory. He was supernaturally conceived and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus is the word made flesh, fully God and fully man. He is the first-born of all creation, and through Him all things were created. He has always been with God and is God.
We believe Jesus is the only savior for the sins of the world. By His death on the cross, He became the final substitutionary sacrifice for our sin. His death, in our place, revealed God’s love and removed our guilt.
We are justified by Jesus' literal and physical resurrection from the dead. He has conquered sin and death and ascended into heaven, where He now sits exalted at the right hand of God, acting as our high priest and intercessor. Jesus is head of his church and Lord of all.
(John 1:1-2, 14; Luke 1:35, Romans 3:24; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5, Acts 1:9-10, Colossians1:15, Hebrews 1:3, 7:25, 9:24; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2)
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of life. He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness and judgment. Through the gospel He reveals God’s grace and divine mercy moving men to repent of sin and trust in Jesus. The Holy Spirit regenerates the heart, dwells within and unites all believers in faith to Jesus and fellowship with His church. He is the third person of the trinity, worthy of honor, respect and worship as God.
(John 16:8-11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18)
HUMANITY
We believe that humanity was created in the image and likeness of God, the crown of creation and the focus of his love. Adam, tempted by Satan, rebelled against God and through his sin the race of man fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Separated from God, yet responsible to Him, man is fully depraved and subject to His wrath. The nature of sin so infects the mind, will and heart of man that it renders him incapable in his own efforts of returning to God and remedying his lost condition. Only by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ can one hope for salvation.
(Genesis 1:26-27; Isaiah 53:6,59:2, Romans 3:10-18,22-23, 5:12; Ephesians 1:3-6, 2:1-3, 12)
SALVATION AND SECURITY
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who was crucified on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. Man’s response is to repent of sin, trust Jesus and receive by faith His forgiveness.
We believe that God initiates, accomplishes and sustains salvation. Those who are truly redeemed are kept by God’s power and are secure in Christ forever. In Christ we are reconciled to God to join in His work.
(John 1:12; John 6:37-40, 10:27-30, Romans 3:21-24, 8:1, 38-39, 1 Corinthians 1:4-8, Ephesians 1:7-14; 2:8-10, 1 Peter 1:18-19,1 Peter 1:5)
MINISTRY AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS
We believe that every follower of Christ is baptized with the Holy Spirit at conversion and given certain extraordinary gifts/abilities by God. These gifts are for the building up and equipping of the body of Christ, which is the church, for the work of ministry.
We believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accordance with His own will and we believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of all believers to minister according to the gift(s) and grace of God given to them.
We also believe that particular spiritual gift(s) are neither essential (proving the presence of the Holy Spirit), nor an indication of deep spiritual experience.
(John 15:7, Romans 12:1-8, 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, & 13, Ephesians 4:7-8, 1 John 5:14-15, 1 Peter 4:10-11)
THE CHURCH
We believe that the church is the body and bride of Christ, the physical representation of God in the world today. It is a living and spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons of this present age. The church exists to worship and glorify God. It is to faithfully follow His will here on earth, preaching the gospel, making disciples, loving people, seeking justice, and planting new churches. We are to be devoted to teaching, fellowship, prayer and communion.
We believe that the establishment and planting of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament.
We believe in the autonomy of the local church, free of any external authority and control.
We recognize a believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper as scriptural means of testimony for the church in this age.
(Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:41-47;13:1-4; 14:27; 15:19-31; 18:8,22, 20:17,28 ; Romans 16:1,4; 1 Corinthians 3:9,16, 5:4-7, 11:23-26, 13;12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25-27;1 Timothy 3:1-3; Titus 1:5-11; 1 Peter 5:1-4)