What We Believe

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life...

HOLY BIBLE
The Bible, and only the Bible, is the authoritative Word of God.  It alone is the final authority in determining all the doctrinal truths.  In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible and inerrant.  (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25-26)
GOD
There is one true God and creator of all who reveals himself to mankind as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  (I John 5:7; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 3:7-11)
JESUS CHRIST
On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man.  He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life.  He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind and thus, atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood.  He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascending to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory.  (John 1:1, 14, 20:28; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5-6; I Timothy 2:5)
VIRGIN BIRTH
Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary’s womb; therefore, He is the Son of God.  (Matthew 1:18, 23-25; Luke 1:27-35; Isaiah 7:14)
REDEMPTION
Man was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression he fell; his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  (Genesis 1:26-31; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21)
SALVATION
We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; His death, burial and resurrection.  Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human efforts.  (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22)
REPENTANCE
Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ, which allows us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit.  Thus, through repentance we receive forgiveness of sins and appropriate salvation.  (Acts 2:21, 3:19; I John 1:9)
SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ’s character in us.  It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.  (I Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; II Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18; II Thessalonians 2:1-3; Romans 8:29, 12:1-2; Hebrews 2:11)
JESUS' BLOOD
The Blood that Jesus Christ shed on the Cross at Calvary was sinless and 100% sufficient to cleanse mankind of all sin.  Jesus allowed himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be free from the penalty of sin, which is death.  (I John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 5:9; Colossians 1:20; Romans 3:10-12, 23, 5:9; John 1:29)
HOLY SPIRIT
The Lord Jesus Christ baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit, in whom we are also sealed for the day of redemption.  The Holy Spirit regenerates, forever indwells, and graciously equips the Christian for godly living and for service.  Subsequent to our conversion, the Spirit desires to fill, empower, and anoint believers for ministry and witness.  Signs and wonders, as well as all the gifts of the Spirit described in the New Testament, are operative today and are designed to testify to the presence of the kingdom and to empower and edify the Church to fulfill its calling and mission.  (Matthew 3:11; John 1:12-13, 3:1-15; Acts 4:29-30; Romans 8:9, 12:3-8; I Corinthians 12:12-13; II Corinthians 1:21-22; Galatians 3:1-5; Ephesians 1:13-14, 5:18)
THE CHURCH
The church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Jesus’ great commission.  Every person who is born of the Spirit is an integral part of the church as a member of the body of believers.  There is a spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.  (Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23)
TWO   SACRAMENTS
Water Baptism:  Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water.  (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38)
The Lord’s Supper:  A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice (the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross.  (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38, 10:47-48; I Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25)
HEALING OF THE SICK
Healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus, and included in the commission of Jesus to His disciples.  It is given as a sign, which is to follow believers.  It is also a part of Jesus’ work on the Cross and one of the gifts of the Spirit.  (Psalms 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; James 5:14-16; I Corinthians 12:9, 28; Romans 11:29)
SANCTITY OF LIFE
From the moment of conception to the time of death, all human life is precious in the sight of God.  (Luke 1:15; Galatians 1:15; Psalms 22:10, 71:6, 72:14, 139:13-14; Mark 8:36; Isaiah 43:4)
MARRIAGE
Marriage and family are institutions ordained by God Himself from the very beginning of human history and these are sacred institutions.  Marriage is between one man and one woman.  Any other definition of marriage is contrary to the clear teaching of the Bible and against the expressed will of God.  (Genesis 1:27-28, 20:20-24; I Corinthians 7:2; Hebrews 13:4)
SEXUALITY
God created men and women to be sexual beings.  Sexuality is an integral and beautiful part of creation.  The Bible clearly teaches that any sexual act outside of marriage whether in thought, word or deed is sin.  (Genesis 1:27-28; Matthew 5:27-28; Proverbs 6:25-26; I Corinthians 6:9-10, 18; I Thessalonians 4:3-8)
GOD'S WILL FOR PROVISION
It’s the Father’s will for believers to become whole, healthy and successful in all areas of life.  But because of the fall, many may not receive the full benefits of God’s will while on earth.  That fact, though, should never prevent all believers from seeking the full benefits of Christ’s provision in order to better serve others.
Spiritual  (John 3:3-11; II Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 10:9-10)
Mental & Emotional  (II Timothy 1:7, 2:11; Philippians 4:7-8; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3)
Physical  (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:17; I Peter 2:24)
Financial  (Joshua 1:8; Malachi 3:10-11; Luke 6:38; II Corinthians 9:6-10: Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Psalms 34:10, 84:11; Philippians 4:19)
RESURRECTION
Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross.  In addition, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; they that are saved to the resurrection of life and they that are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation.  (Luke 24:16, 36, 39; John 2:19-21, 20:26-28, 21:4; Acts 24:15; I Corinthians 15:42, 44; Philippians 1:21-23, 3:21)
HEAVEN
Heaven is the eternal dwelling place for all believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  (Matthew 5:3, 12 20, 6:20, 19:21, 25:34; John 17:24; II Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; I Peter 1:4)
HELL
After living one life on earth, the unbelievers will be judged by God and sent to Hell where they be eternally tormented with the Devil and the fallen angels.  (Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9-11, 20:12-15, 21:8)
SECOND COMING
Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom.  This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures.  (Matthew 24:30, 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; I Thessalonians 4:15-17; II Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7)