Beliefs
Bible
We believe the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, are inspired by God and are the Divine authority for all Christian faith and life.
Psalm 119:9-16; II Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Hebrews 4:12-13
God
We believe God is the creator, sustainer, and redeemer of everything that exists. He is the one and only God manifesting Himself in three persons-the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (i.e. Trinity). These three persons have the same nature, are co-equal and co-existent.
Genesis 1 & 2; John 14:15-21; Colossians 1:15-20
Jesus
We believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He was God in the flesh, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He was sinless, yet He gave His life for the sins of the world by dying on the cross. He rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God, and is our great High Priest and Advocate. He alone can restore the relationship of mankind to God.
Isaiah 53; Matthew 1:18-25; I Corinthians 15:1-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-4
Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity. He is the Spirit of God and Christ, indwelling, filling, transforming, comforting, empowering and guiding those obedient to Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the present and active person and power of Jesus that empowers God’s people to live into the mission of the kingdom of God.
Genesis 1:1-2; Joel 2:28-29; John 14:15-21; I John 2:1-6; Acts 1:7-8; Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 3:16, I -Corinthians 12; Galatians 5:16-26, Ephesians 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 1:14
Humanity
We believe that humanity is created in the image and likeness of God. The first human, Adam, rebelled against God, fell from a right relationship with Him, and in so doing, introduced sin and death into the world. All human beings share Adam's sinful, fallen nature. Thus, humanity in its natural state is lost, separate from God, and incapable of attaining salvation by personal effort or merit.
Genesis 3:13-17; Romans 5:12-13; I Corinthians 15:22
Salvation
We believe God sent Jesus to save mankind from their sins and restore their relationship with God. Jesus was crucified on the cross, died, and was resurrected three days later, atoning for the sins of all who have placed their faith in Jesus. Man can do nothing to earn his salvation. It is received by grace — a free gift of God through faith.
Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:22-39; Acts 10:34-43; Romans 3:10-24; Ephesians 2:1-10
The Eternal State
We believe those who are “in Christ” have already been raised with Christ and are seated in the heavenly place where Christ is (Ephesians 2:1-10). Eternity is already under way and we are awaiting the time when Jesus will return to finish what He started and make all things new. Those who have trusted Jesus and died before His return will be raised back to life and given new bodies that are equipped for their eternal existence in this new creation. Those who have rejected Jesus in this age will spend eternity apart from Him.
John 5:24; I Corinthians 15:20-28; Hebrews 9:27-28; II Corinthians 5:1-10
Second Coming of Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus will return again for his church. His return is to be eagerly anticipated. It gives Christians the courage to pray without ceasing, to work with energy, to expose falsehood, and to strive for justice and peace. Godly men and women hold a number of views concerning the return of Jesus Christ. These are matters of scriptural interpretation and so should not be used as a test of faith or fellowship.
I Thessalonians 3:11-13, 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:20-28
Church
We believe the Church, the body of Christ, is the spiritual family of God and is made up of all those who have put their faith in Jesus. Jesus is the Head of the Church and has commissioned and empowered His Church, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, to follow his commands, and embody and proclaim His good news throughout the world. We believe the unity of the Church is of utmost importance for it is one of the primary ways God shows his love to the world. We recognize the believer’s baptism and the observance of the Lord’s Supper as practices that Jesus himself gave to the Church as visible testimonies of our living faith in Him.
Matthew 28:18-20; John 17:22-24, II Corinthians 5:11-21; Ephesians 2:19-22, 4:1-6; Colossians 1:18; I Peter 1:9-12; Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-14; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26