We Believe...
1. GOD IS THE CREATOR AND SUSTAINER OF THE UNIVERSE.
He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. Genesis 1:1,26,27;3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14; John 10:30
2. JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD AND OUR ONLY WAY OF SALVATION.
He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Whoever confesses their sins and asks Him to be the Lord of their lives will have salvation. Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; I Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13; John 10:33; Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:35; John 11:25; Revelation 19:11; John 3:16, Romans 10:9
3. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ONE WITH THE FATHER AND THE SON OF GOD.
He is present in the world to make men and women aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer at least one spiritual gift when they accept Christ. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18; Romans 8:13-14; Ephesians 4:30
4. THE BIBLE AS OUR SOLE AUTHORITY.
The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:15; 2 Peter 1:21
Since God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is “What does the Bible say?” We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.
5. THE AUTHORITY OF EACH LOCAL CHURCH.
Christ is the head of His Body, the church. He is the source of the Body’s life. Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Galatians 3:26-28
Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, group, or religious organization. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe every local church should be self-governing and independent from denominational control.
6. PRIESTHOOD OF EVERY BELIEVER.
Christ loves us, and by his death, he has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to serve God. Revelation 1:6; I Peter 2:9
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full-time” Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading.
7. TITHING.
A tithe of everything you produce belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. Leviticus 26:30
We practice tithing for the support of Christ's Body, the church, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard of giving.
8. IMMERSION BAPTISM.
For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism, you were also raised with Christ. Colossians 2:12 (GN)
We practice baptism by immersion under water. We believe that this is the way Jesus was baptized, and the way the Bible teaches.
9. CHRISTIAN LIVING.
Jesus said, “I am the Vine, you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to enable us to do what is right. Philippians 2:13, Ephesians 5:18
10. MALE AND FEMALE ARE CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.
We believe, as an expression of our union with Christ, in committing ourselves to live in a manner worthy of the Gospel. We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image as male and female. Hence, the gift of two different yet complementary sexes reflects the goodness of God’s creation. Since humanity is the greatest work of God’s creation, each human being is created in His image, is sacred, and is worthy of respect and Christian love. Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 5:1-2; Colossians 1:15; Psalm 139:14
11. BIBLICAL MARRIAGE IS DEFINED BETWEEN ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN.
We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society and that marriage, between one man and one woman, reflects the biblical priorities and principles and is the foundation of a healthy family. Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 1:18-28; 1 Corinthians 7:1-40; Hebrews 13:4
12. EVERY PERSON MUST BE AFFORDED COMPASSION, LOVE, KINDNESS, RESPECT, AND DIGNITY.
We believe each person should be treated with the love of Christ. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are not in accordance with scripture. Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31