What We Believe
The Word of God
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It tells us of God’s initiative to rescue us from sin and its consequences through His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the key to the interpretation of the whole Bible. The Holy Spirit of God directed human authors to write down just what He wanted. When the Bible was originally written, it was without error. The Bible is true and trustworthy, telling us everything we need to know to please God and find meaning and fulfillment. It is the highest authority for everything we believe and do. (Mk 13:31; Jn 8:31-32; Acts 20:32; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21)
The Trinity
There is only one true God, and God simultaneously exists in three persons. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are equally deserving of worship and honor. The three persons of the Trinity have distinct, but complimentary roles in the fulfillment of God’s perfect plan. (Gen 1:1,26; Deut. 6:4; Matt 28:19; Jn 1:1,3; 4:24; Rom 1:19-20; Eph 4:5-6)
The Father
The Father is the first person of the Trinity. He is infinite (having no beginning or end) and knows all things (past, present, and future), yet He wants to interact with you on a personal level. The Father is perfect in every quality and virtue. He has the power and integrity to keep all of His promises. (Mt 23:9; Lk 10:21-22; Jn 3:16; 6:27; Rom 1:7; 1 Tim 1:1-2; 2:5-6; 1 Pet 1:3; Rev 1:6)
The Son, Jesus Christ
Jesus is the second person of the Trinity. He is the unique Son of God who always existed with the Father. Jesus entered human history: God became man, was born to Mary while she was still a virgin, and had no original sin. He then lived his entire life free from any sin. He performed miracles and taught with authority, giving evidence of His position in the Trinity. Jesus was murdered by being nailed to a cross. He died willingly and His blood provides the perfect and only sacrifice for sin. Jesus was buried in a tomb. On the third day after His death He came back to life, demonstrating that His sacrifice for sin on our behalf was accepted by the Father. Jesus returned to heaven and is our advocate in the presence of the Father. (Mt 1:18-25; 20:28; Lk 1:26-38; Jn 1:1; 20:28,30-31; Acts 1:11; Rom 5:6-8; 6:9-10; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 1:4-5; 1 Pet 2:21-24; Heb 7:25; 9:28)
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is the One who shows people how they violate God’s standard of perfection. He shows them what is good and right and lets them know there will some day be a judgment. He gives God’s people spiritual life and special abilities for service. The Holy Spirit lives in every person who has their sins forgiven by Jesus Christ. He is consistent in His help, teaching and causing people to change from the inside out until they are just like Jesus. (Jn 3:6-8; 14:14-26; 15:26-27; 16:7-14; Rom 8:8, 13-14, 26-29; 12:4-8; 1 Cor 3:16; 6:11,19; 12:1-31; 2 Cor 3:16-18; Gal 4:29; 5:18; Eph 3:16; 4:1-13; 2 Th 2:13; 2 Tim 1:7; Tit 3:5; Rom 15:16)
Spiritual Birth
Every person has broken God’s standard of perfection. Every person has sinned. We have chosen to do things that are wrong and we have inherited an inner nature from our forefathers that has been in rebellion against God since the first person, Adam. Sin requires death which is why Jesus died on the cross. Jesus gave His own blood to provide the only way of forgiveness. When the Holy Spirit convinces a person that they are guilty and that the blood of Jesus Christ is the only satisfactory payment for sin, He also gives the power to turn from sin and trust Jesus Christ for new life, bringing that person into God’s family forever. We believe those who have turned from their sin and trusted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord have new and eternal life. (Gen 1:26; 2:17; 3:19; 5:2; Psa 51:7; Prov 28:13; Ecc 2:11; Jer 17:9; Jn 1:12-13; 3:14; 5:24,30; 8:12; 10:26-28; 16:8; Rom 3:19-20; 5:19; 8:1-17; 9:14-24; 2 Cor 5:17; 2 Th 1:9; 2:13; Tit 3:5-7; 1 Jn 1:9; Jam 1:14; Rev 21:1-8)
The Church
The Church is people and includes everyone who has experienced this spiritual birth. Followers of Jesus Christ also come together to form local churches that worship, serve and grow together. We grow in relationship to God through the study and application of His Word, which also leads us to love one another. Jesus is Head of the Church. The Church is to do the things Jesus gave us to do and help others learn about the Good News of forgiveness and life in Jesus Christ. (Acts 1:8; 2:41-42; Eph 2:19-22; 5:19-21; Col 1:18; Heb 10:23-25)
How Christians Should Live
Christians have the privilege of living free of the control of sin that had us trapped before the Holy Spirit gave us new life. We can now make progress in living in a way that pleases God, maintains our freedom and lets others know God does change lives! It is for our best that we learn to live what the Bible teaches. As we grow we will see God changing our character to be more like the character of Jesus. People around us will see that God real and that He is good. (Jn 14:15, 23-24; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Cor 10:31; 2 Cor 9:6-13; Eph 4:13; Col 1:9-10, 28; Heb 12:1-2; 1 Jn 2:3-6; 4:7-12; 1 Th 4:1)
Two Practices Jesus Gave The Church
Jesus gave the church two practices that remind us and show others what God has done for His people in the Gospel: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Though practicing them does not make you more acceptable to God, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, they confirm and nourish the believer. We know that Christians disagree on when and how people should be baptized, but our practice will be to baptize by immersion those who profess personal faith in Jesus Christ. (Mt 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-42; 8:36-39; Rom 6:1-11; Mt 26:26-29; Mk 14:22-25; Lk 22:17-20; 1 Cor 10:16-17; 11:23-26; 1 Pet 3:21)
We Have Been Given Freedom And Responsibility
When a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in that person and will teach him/her according to the Bible. Each person can speak and relate directly to God and is accountable to God. The local church also has freedom and accountability before God and is to be controlled solely by the authority of Jesus Christ (not denominational or political authorities). (Acts 5:29; 20:28-32; Rom 14:7-9; 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19-20; Eph 2:20-22; 2 Cor 3:7-18; Col 1:18; 1 Tim 2:5)
The End of Time
Some day soon Jesus Christ will make a bodily return to the earth to set up His kingdom. Every person who has ever lived will be brought before God for a final judgment. Those who have not come to faith in Jesus Christ will spend eternity in Hell, separated from God’s loving favor where there is nothing but evil and endless suffering. Those who have experienced spiritual birth (see #6) will live in the joyous presence of God forever. (Mt 16:27; Mk 14:62; Jn 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Cor 4:5; 15:20-24,35-58; Phil 3:20; 1 Th 4:14-18; 2 Th 1:6-10; 2 Tim 4:1; Tit 2:13; Rev 20:4-15)