God
There is only one God who exists for all eternity
(Dt. 6:4; Ps. 90:2; Is. 43:10).
Although God is one, he exists in three persons – Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit – who are equal in nature, power, and glory
(Mt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14)
God is distinct from his creation, being the Creator and Sustainer of all things. He has revealed Himself to mankind through
His works (Ps. 19:1; Ro. 1:20)
His Word (2 Tim. 3:16,17),
and
His Son (Heb. 1:1,2)
Jesus Christ
- Jesus Christ is both God (Jn
. 1:1) and man (1 Tim. 2:5).
- He is the only begotten Son of God (Jn.
3:16).
- He was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary (Lk. 1:34,35).
- He was sinless (Heb.
4:15).
- His death on a cross atoned for mankind's sin
and made reconciliation with God possible
(1 Jn. 2:2; 2 Cor. 5:19,21).
- He is mankind's only hope for salvation (Jn.
14:6; Ac. 4:12).
- After his death on the cross, he bodily resurrected,
appeared to others, then ascended into heaven (1
Cor. 15:3-8; 1 Tim. 3:16).
- Jesus is the only mediator between God and
man (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 7:25).
- One day, he will personally, bodily, and visibly
return to judge the world (Rev. 1:7; 22:12).
Holy Spirit
- The Holy Spirit is a personal being who works
in the world today convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and
judgment (Jn. 16:8).
- He comforts and strengthens Christians through
his indwelling presence
(Jn. 14:16,17; 2 Cor. 3:18).
Man
- Humans are created in God's image (Gen.
1:27).
- Death and sin entered the world following Adam's
sin (Rom. 5:12).
- Through our own efforts, we cannot be righteous
in God's sight (Rom. 3:20); we
all depend on God's grace given us in Christ's death (Gal.
2:21).
- Having been saved, we are to grow and become
more like Jesus (Rom. 8:29).
- The goal of our faith is the redemption of
our souls and bodies (1 Pet. 1:9; Rom.
8:23).
- Through Jesus we have eternal life, but whoever
rejects him is condemned (Jn. 3:36).
Salvation
- We are saved by grace through faith, not through
our own works (Eph. 2:8,9).
- A living faith expresses itself through confessing
that Jesus is Lord (Ro. 10:9,10),
and repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38).
- Baptism is by immersion (Rom.
6:4) and for the forgiveness of sins (Acts
2:38; 22:16).
- Those in Christ have great assurance (Rom.
8:1); yet to be saved, we must persevere in God's grace (Heb.
10:35-39; Gal. 5:4).
Bible
- The 66 canonical books of the Old and New Testaments
are the inspired Word of God
(2 Pet. 2:20,21).
- These alone serve as the authoritative basis
for our faith and practice (2 Tim. 3:16,17).
We also believe that...
- Love should be the distinguishing characteristic
of Christ's followers (Jn. 13:35).
- The mission of the church is to make disciples
of all nations (Mt. 28:19,20) and
bring Christians to spiritual maturity (Col.
1:28).
- Remembering Jesus by celebrating Communion
weekly is both scriptural and beneficial
(1 Cor. 11:23-26; Acts 20:7).
- The local church should be independent, yet interdependent with the church
as a whole.
- Holding certain Bible teachings is essential
to being a Christian, while the Bible itself allows for differences
of opinions in other areas (Rom. 14:1-15:7).
- Christians are to be moral and live a lifestyle
that is pleasing to Christ (1 Pet. 1:15,16).
- Infants and young children are innocent in
the eyes of the Lord; therefore, we only baptize people who are old
enough to make their own decisions for Christ (Mt.
19:14).
- Every Christian has received a spiritual gift
to serve others and glorify God (1 Pet.
4:10,11).