Our Beliefs

We believe the Scripture, all 66 books of the combined Old and New Testaments, is verbally inspired by God. We believe the Bible is inerrant in the original writings, and it is the Christian’s final authority in faith and conduct. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

We believe there is only one true, living sovereign, holy, and eternally existent God. God is infinitely perfect and He exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The triune God is the creator and sustainer of all things, the source of all truth, and is worthy of worship, confidence, and obedience. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Genesis 1:31)

We believe, by the miracle of the virgin birth—that the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. We believe that He became man without ceasing to be God, to reveal God and to redeem mankind from sin. We believe Christ died for the sins of all people as a substitutionary sacrifice. We believe He arose bodily from the dead for our justification. Finally, we believe He is now exalted at the right hand of God as Head of the Church. Christ is Lord of the individual believer, fulfilling His ministry as our Great High Priest and Advocate. (John 1:1-3, 14; Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-9; Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Acts 1:11)

We believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe He convicts the world of sin and regenerates the believing sinner, baptizing him into the Church (which is the Body of Christ). We believe He indwells, guides, instructs, and empowers believers for godly living and service. We believe God gives all believers at least one spiritual gift so we can use this gift for the strength and outreach of the Church. (John 14:16-19; 16:7-15; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 8:9, 11; Titus 3:5)

We believe salvation is God’s free gift. Salvation is neither merited nor secured in part or in whole by any human virtue, work, ceremony, or effort. We receive God’s gift only through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, all true believers have—as a present possession—eternal life, perfect righteousness, and sonship in God’s family. Christians also enjoy every spiritual resource needed for life and godliness, and have the divine guarantee that they should never perish. God has delivered Christians from all condemnation, and we have eternal security in Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

We believe God created man in His image. But man sinned, incurring not only physical death, but also spiritual death (separation from God, which all people inherit from Adam). We believe man is subject to Satan’s power; and that man, within himself, has no means of recovery or salvation. (Genesis 1:17, 31)

We believe the true Church is composed of all who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, through saving faith in Jesus Christ. We also believe that those who are thus members of the true Church are eligible for membership in the local Church. (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Hebrews 10:25)

We believe in the personal, imminent and pre-millennial coming of our Lord. First, He will come to receive His own to Himself; later, He will set up His earthly kingdom and reign over redeemed Israel. At that time Christ will also reign over all nations, bringing peace and blessing to the world. We believe this blessed hope has a vital bearing on our personal lives and service. (Titus 2:13)

We believe God calls us—with a holy calling—to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. God wants us to live in the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit, so we will not fulfill the lusts of our physical bodies. We believe the fallen, Adamic nature of the flesh cannot be eradicated in this life. Therefore, keeping ourselves constantly in subjection to Christ, we must allow God’s Holy Spirit to live through us in a daily “walk” of faith. Otherwise, the flesh will certainly demonstrate its presence in our lives, to the Lord’s dishonor. It is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to seek and to make growing disciples. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)

We believe the souls of those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation immediately pass into His presence at death. There they remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of our bodies at Christ's coming for His Church. Then, with our souls reunited with our glorified bodies, we will live with Him forever in glory. We believe God will punish unbelievers with everlasting separation from His presence, His glory, and His power. (John 3:16; 2:25; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15)

We believe Satan is a person, a fallen angel, the author of the fall of man, and the god of this age. However, we also believe that he is the Christian’s defeated enemy. His destiny is eternal punishment. (Job 1:6-12; Mark 8:32)

We believe Adam, the first man, sinned by disobedience. This act resulted in the fall of all mankind. Therefore, all people have sinned and lost their ability to live for the glory of God. Mankind's fall has incurred both physical and spiritual death on all until there is forgiveness and salvation by the grace of God. (Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 3:10-23; 5:12-21; 6:23)

In addition to these important beliefs, we also believe God has given the parents the responsibility to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6). We believe a consistent and whole education will occur when home, Church, and school work closely together and are in agreement on the basic concepts of life.

Jesus instructed His followers to remember His death and resurrection. He gave the Church two visible symbols (called "ordinances") as reminders. These two ordinances are baptism and the Lord's supper. Baptism by immersion is a one-time act of obedience and identification with Jesus as Lord. It serves as an outward sign of conscious confession of repentance and faith. The Lord's Supper is an ongoing symbol remembering our Lord's death, burial, resurrection, and promised return. Each person must decide whether or not to be baptized or to participate in the Lord's Supper. Regardless, we do not regard anyone’s participation in these practices as a means of salvation. (Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 26: 26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)