Statement of Faith
The Bible
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and it is without error. The Bible is the sole authority for salvation and Christian living. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:23-25)
About God
We believe there is only one God and He is holy. The One eternal and invisible God has revealed Himself to us as our Father, in His Son Jesus Christ through redemption, and through the Holy Spirit in emanation. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that is God manifested in flesh through an authentic human life. He is both God and man. (See Deuteronomy 6:4; John 14:9; Ephesians 4:4-6; Colossians 2:9; Galatians 3:20; I Timothy 3:16.)
About Sin and Salvation
We believe that people are the supreme object of God’s creation and are made in the spiritual image of God. However, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” Everyone has sinned and needs salvation. Sin separates us from God. Salvation comes by grace through faith based on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. (See Romans 3:23-25; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9.)
About the Gospel
We believe the saving gospel is the good news that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. Paul wrote that the Gospel is His death; His burial; and His resurrection. We express our belief in the gospel through our obedience to the gospel (II Thessalonians 1:8; I Peter 4:17) by repenting of our sins (death to sin), water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (burial), and the baptism of the gift of the Holy Spirit with the initial sign of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance (resurrection) Jesus explained this conversion as being born again of the water and the Spirit (John 3:1-8). (See I Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:4; 8:9-17; 10:1-48; 19:1-7, 37-39; Romans 6:3-4.)
About Christian Living
We believe as Christians, we are to love God and others. We are to worship God joyfully and seek to live a life that is pleasing to him both inwardly and outwardly—in our thoughts, words, and actions. The supernatural gifts of the Spirit, including healing, are available to the church today and Spirit-filled believers today. (See Mark 12:28-31; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10; II Corinthians 7:1; Romans 8:13-14; Galatians 5:19-26; Hebrews 12:14.)
About the Future
We believe Jesus Christ is coming again to catch away His church. We believe in Heaven and Hell. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally present with Him is Heaven. (See John 3:14-17; Romans 6:23; I Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:11-15.)
