The Holy Scriptures
We believe the Holy Scriptures, the sixty six books of the Holy Bible, God’s own words, to be the verbally inspired Word of God; authoritative, inerrant, infallible and God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18).
The Godhead
We believe in one Triune God, existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- eternal in being, identical in essence, equal in power and glory and having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
God the Father
We believe that God the Father is the First Person of the Trinity. He orders and accomplishes all things according to His own purpose and grace (Psalms 145:8, 9;1 Corinthians 8:6). As the absolute and highest Ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption (Psalms 103:19; Job 1:6; Romans 11:33). He created the universe apart from pre-existing materials and without means. He decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass, and continually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and events (1 Chronicles 29:11; Psalms 103:19; Ephesians 1:3-6; Hebrews 4:13; 12:5-9; 1 Peter 1:17). He does this without being the author or approver of sin nor does He abridge the accountability of morally intelligent creatures. He graciously chose from all eternity those whom He would have as His own (Ephesians 1:3-6). He saves from all sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ, and He relates Himself to His own as their father (Psalms 145:8, 9; 103:19; John 1:12,18).
The Person and Work of Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. His birth took place so that He might be revealed and subsequently redeem sinners. We believe that our redemption and salvation is guaranteed to us by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (John 1:1-3, 14, 18; Luke 1:35; Romans 3:24-26; 4:25).
The Personality of the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He also, in the present age, regenerates believers in Christ, enlightens them to the content of scripture, baptizes them into the church (the body of Christ), indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of redemption, bestows spiritual gifts upon each one, and fills those yielded to Him (John 3:8; 14:16, 26; 15:26-27; 16:7-15; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 5:18).
The Total Depravity of Man
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam's sin, the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, became alienated from God and is totally unable to regain its former position (Genesis 1:26; 3:1-24; Romans 3:23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:12).
Salvation
We believe that salvation is a gift of God in grace apart from works and is received by man through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ whose precious blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:22).
The Everlasting Security of the Believer
We believe that all true believers, once saved, are kept secure in Christ forever (Romans 8:1, 29-30, 38-39; John 10:27-30).
The Church
We believe that Christ is the Head of the Church. The Church is the body and bride of Christ and is a spiritual organism. The Church is made up of all persons who have received Christ as their personal Savior and Lord regardless of their affiliation with Christian organizations (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-27; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
The Responsibility of the Believers
a. We believe that all believers in Jesus Christ should strive to live their lives in accordance with His Lordship over their lives, obeying the Word of God as directed by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:16, 25).
b. We believe that the Lord Jesus instituted baptism and the Lord's Supper to be observed by those who believe and trust in Him until His return for His bride, the Church (Matthew 28:19-20).
c. We believe that the local church, through its believing congregation, is God's representative in the community (Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2:42).
d. We believe that it is the obligation of all believers to remember the work of the Lord in prayer and to support it with their gifts, talents and finances as the Lord has prospered them (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; 9:6-15).
Marriage
This church defines “marriage” as the exclusive covenantal union of one man and one woman in which this union is a lifetime commitment. Marriage was ordained by God and by His design is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenantal commitment for a lifetime. It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race. Any civil government’s sanction of a union will only be recognized as a legitimate marriage by this church to the extent that it is consistent with the definition of marriage found in this “Statement of Faith”. (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 7:2; Ephesians 5:31-32)
Human Sexuality
Legitimate sexual relations are exercised solely within marriage. Hence, sexual activities outside of marriage (referred to in the New Testament as “porneia”- πορνεια) including but not limited to adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, and pedophilia are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and of this church. Further, lascivious conduct, transgender behavior, and the creation and/or distribution and/or viewing of pornography, are incompatible with the biblical witness. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)
The Return of Christ
We believe in the personal imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ for His own, the Church, and His subsequent return to the earth to set up His Kingdom. (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 4:13-18; Zechariah 14:4-11; Revelation 20:6).
The Eternal State
We believe that the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do at death immediately pass into His presence, and there remain in a conscious bliss until His return for the Church. At this time the physical bodies of those who have trusted in Him will be resurrected and reunited with their souls and shall be forever with Him in heaven. We further believe that the souls of those who die and have not trusted in Jesus Christ will remain after death in conscious misery until the final judgment of the Great White Throne at the close of the millennium. At this time their souls will not be annihilated but will be punished with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power (Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:11-15).