DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
I. THE BIBLE
We believe...
Every word of the sixty-six books of the Bible is inspired by God in the original manuscripts, through the agency of the Holy Spirit. This body of truth which God has revealed to man is without error and word perfect in these original manuscripts. It is completely reliable and authoritative for belief and behavior. We believe in the literal fulfillment of the prophecies and that the promises of the scriptures are sure. (Psalm 19:7; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 6:17-20)
II. GOD
We believe…
God, always having existed in three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All share the same nature, power, attributes and glory. God, in any of His persons, is worthy of our worship and obedience. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 44:6; Matthew 3:16-17; I Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
The Father is the first person. He oversees creation, governs all things and moves to redeem all humanity. He is a father to his people. (I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 1:11; John 3:16; Romans 8:15-16)
The Son is the second person. He created all things and sustains the universe. He took on a human nature by being born of a virgin. He is fully God and fully man. He died as a substitute for humanity’s sin, was buried and rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven where He is alive today at the right hand of the Father. (Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 1:2-3; Matthew 1:18; Colossians 2:9; I Corinthians 15:38; Ephesians 1:2)
The Holy Spirit is the third person. He works to carry out the divine will in the world. He was active in creation and in the writing of scripture. His current activities include showing people their sin, regenerating, indwelling and comforting believers. He expressly speaks of and glorifies Jesus. (Genesis 1:2; 1 Peter 1:2; John 16:7-11; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16; John 14:26; Romans 8:9; John 16:13-14)
III. MAN
We believe…
Mankind was created male and female in the image of God. We are both material (body) and immaterial (soul and spirit). Man’s body will be changed after death and will be reunited with the soul and spirit. A person’s earthly relationship with Christ determines one’s eternal destiny.
Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. As a result, all are born with a sin nature. All are unable to meet God’s moral standard.
People who trust Christ with their lives are regenerated and given the gift of the Holy Spirit. They enjoy fellowship with God and eternal life. Though Christians still struggle with sin, in heaven they will be transformed into immortal and sinless beings. (John 3:18; Genesis 3:1-18; Romans 3:23; Titus 3:5-6; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 1 John 1:3; John 5:24-25; Romans 7:1-25; Colossians 1:22; Genesis 1:26-27; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 15:50-56)
IV. SALVATION
We believe…
Our sinful state condemns all humanity to death and separation from God. Christ took upon himself humanity and died as a substitute for all. Anyone may apply Christ’s death to his or her life by trusting God and accepting Christ’s sacrifice through his shed blood. This makes a person a child of God and equips him or her for a spiritual life. (Romans 3:9-12; Ephesians 2:1-3; John 1:14; Hebrews 7:27; 1 John 2:2; Ephesians 2:7-8; Philippians 2:15; 2 Peter 1:3)
The response of the Christian is well described in Romans 10:9-10, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in his heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
V. CHURCH
We believe…
The church universal with Christ as the Head is currently God’s human agent for advancing His kingdom and, as such, is the body of Christ. An individual church is an assembly dedicated to promoting God in a community. This is done by proclamation of the Gospel, disciple making, worship, and service.
Churches use two ordinances to relate Christ’s death to our lives: baptism and communion.
The mark of a church is the love shown in the body of believers.
An individual church may associate with other churches in so far as control of the church remains with the local body. (Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:10; Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:34-35; Ephesians 1:22-23)
VI. SATAN
We believe…
Satan is a created being who rebelled against God and continues as His enemy. He authored sin and provoked the fall of man. His destiny is the Lake of Fire. He is the accuser of the brethren. (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekial 28:14-15; Genesis 3:1-16; Revelation 20:10; Revelation 12:10)
VII. FUTURE EVENTS
We believe…
Christ will call believers to himself in the air before the Tribulation. After the Tribulation, Christ will physically return to earth. After the Millennium, every human being will experience bodily resurrection, believers to life with God in heaven and unbelievers to eternal judgment in Hell. (Acts 1:11; Matthew 25:46; John 5:28-29;
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)
