Beliefs
The following are beliefs we hold to with a firm conviction. Each belief is based on specific passages and themes in the Bible. We have included references to a sample of these passages below each statement.
We look not to philosophy, science, or feelings for our direction. Rather we look to the Bible for our guidance. We believe God gave us the Bible to show us the way of salvation and the answers to all of our deepest needs and hardest questions. Because God inspired the Bible it is complete and without error. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21; Matt. 4:4; 5:17-18; John 10:35)
Like a three leaf clover is one entitiy with three distinct parts, we believe God is one entitiy made up of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Through revelation given to us in the Bible we learn that God is the Creator of all things, the prime mover, and sustainer of all things. (John 1:1-3; 8:58; Ex. 3:14; Acts 5; 2 Cor. 13:14; Matt. 28:19; Titus 2:13; 3:4)
We believe that the supreme act of God's compassion was sending Jesus Christ to save us. We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where at the right hand of God, He is now our High Priest and Advocate. (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:34-35; 2:1-7; Mark 10:45; 16:1-8; John 20:1-29; Acts 1:10-11; Romans 1:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:14; 7:25; I John 2:1; Isaiah 52:13-53:12)
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a tremendous aid and comfort to us. The Holy Spirit shows us when we are in error, gives us new life, helps us to follow God more closely and to serve each other with skill and a joyful heart. (Romans 8:26-27; Acts 1:8; John 3:5; 14:15-18, 26; 2 Thess. 2:13; Romans 8:5-9; John 16:8-15)
We believe that humans were created in the image of God but chose to go their own way. Only through belief in Christ can salvation and spiritual life be obtained. (Gen. 1:27; Romans 6:23; Eph. 2:1, 10-12; Romans 5;12; Titus 3:4; John 3:1-6)
We believe that water baptism (a public declaration of faith in Christ) and the Lord's Supper (remembrance of Christ's sacrifice) are ceremonies to be observed by the Church during the present age. However, they are not to be regarded as means of salvation. (1 Cor. 11:23-29; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 6:1-7; Matt. 28:19; 1 Peter 3:18-21; Col. 2:11-12)
We believe that the church is a spiritual entity comprised not of people who merely claim Christ's name but instead have been given new life by the Holy Spirit and truly belive in Christ. Called out of the world for a specific purpose the church is united in service, mission, and submission to Christ. (1 Cor. 12:12-13; Col. 1: 17-18; 2:19)
We believe that the local church is both submitted to Christ and able to govern its own affairs. The local church is made up of people who are also part of the universal church. At the local level the church is called to be unified and an instrument through which the Holy Spirit works. Love for each other should be what is most apparent in any local church. (Acts 2:42-46; Col. 1:23; 2 John 7-9)
We believe Christ could come back at any time. This hope encourages us and spurs us on to use our time wisely and guard our behavior closely. (Acts 1:11; Rev. 19:20; Titus 2:12-13; I John 2:28-3:3; Romans 13:11-14; I Peter 4:7, 5:4)
We believe that we all
have eternal souls. After physical death we either spend eternity with
God in heaven, or separated from Him in eternal judgment. The
revelation of God is both in nature and in written form. We are without
excuse.
(Romans 1:18-20; I Peter 3:18; 1 Cor. 6:14; Luke 24:51; Heb. 7:25; Rev. 19:20)