WHAT WE BELIEVE

The Bible: The Basis of Our Beliefs

The Holy Bible is the record of God's revelation of Himself to mankind, truth without error, and the standard by which we judge our actions and beliefs.

God: Three In One

There is only one true God: all powerful, all wise, and all loving. He exists in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) without division of nature, essence, or being. God the Father is personal, infinite, and actively involved in His creation.

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who perfectly revealed the will of God by becoming fully human without sinning, by dying on the cross to make provision for salvation, by bodily rising from the dead, and by taking His place at the right hand of God as the perfect Mediator between God and people, until he returns in power and glory to complete His mission of redemption.

The Holy Spirit of God inspired the writing of the Bible and enables people to understand and obey God's Word. He convicts people of sin, calls them to the Savior, and gives new birth to the believer by filling and sealing them, cultivating Christ-like character, providing comfort and giving spiritual gifts.

Salvation: By Grace, Through Faith

Grace is the disposition of God to offer eternal life to mankind. The human race was created in God's image, but is distorted because of sin, putting us in a place of condemnation. Through His death on the cross, Jesus graciously provided the needed sacrifice to offer reconciliation of sinful mankind to perfect God. Our response to God's offer is faith: intentional belief and deliberate acceptance of the gift of eternal life. The experience of new birth, empowered by the Holy Spirit, includes submission to Christ as the master of our lives, turning from sin and toward God, the transforming of our minds to reflect His true and perfect will, and obedience to the commands and commission of Christ.

The Church: Its Purpose and Mission

The Church is the New Testament people of God whose purpose is to accurately represent Him to the world in word and deed, making disciples (students) in all the world who will do the same, for the glory of God. The local church is a unique expression of the worldwide body, with the same purpose, who gather regularly for worship, service, study and prayer. We observe two ordinances that celebrate and re-enact God's plan of salvation: Baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper.