Statement of Faith

We believe that there is only one living and true God. He eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the same in essence and attributes, equal in power and glory. We believe that God, by His Word and for His own glory, created the heavens and earth out of nothing and has graciously given it to man as a gift to manage according to His purpose. God reveals Himself through that creation, His mighty deeds in history, the Scriptures and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Triune God, not the creation, is the ultimate reality and standard for truth, beauty and good. The triune God has no need beyond himself for relationship and love; the triune God models within himself self-giving, love and relationship.

(Genesis 1:1,31; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-13: 45:21-22; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19-20; John 4:23, 24; Rom 1:19,20; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:3-6)

We believe that the Bible consists of the sixty-six (66) books of the Old and New Testaments. The Bible is fully inspired by the Holy Spirit. This inspiration extends to the words of the Bible, not just the concepts. We believe the Bible is entirely true and never false in all it affirms. It alone is the only authoritative word of God and is worthy of our trust and obedience.

(Ps 12:6; 19:7-11; 119:89,160: Matthew 4:4; 5:17-19; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20, 21)

We believe that God the Father loves the world and gave his Son to be its Savior. He is the Father of all who trust in Jesus Christ for their salvation. He is rightly passionate about His glory and desires and delights in the praise of His glory by the nations. His will is for man to firstly know, then worship, trust, love and obey Him. His plan for fulfilling this purpose involves the restoration of creation and man to His original creation purpose and under the headship of Christ. God’s completion of this plan includes the witness of His people in every age.

(Gen 1:26-28: Ps 67 and 96; Isa 43:10-13; John 3:16-17; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:15-17; Ephesians 1:10: 2:4-8; Galatians 3:26; 4:6)

We believe that God the Son became human in the person of Jesus Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. He was born of a virgin named Mary. He is truly and fully God, truly and fully man. He lived a perfect, sinless, obedient life. All His teachings are true.

(Luke 1:34-37; John 1:14-18: Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-19; Hebrews 1:1-8; 7:26; 1 Timothy 3:16)

We believe that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the whole world on the cross, according to the Scriptures. His death was a sacrifice in the place of sinful human beings and was entirely sufficient to deal with sin.

(Mk 10;45: John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Gal 3:13; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Pet 3:18; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 2:2)

We believe that the dead and buried body of Christ was raised from the grave, according to the Scriptures, and is a proof of the effectiveness of his sacrificial death He ascended into heaven and He sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.

(1 Corinthians 15:4; 12-20; Hebrews 2:17-18; 7:24-25; 10:12; 1 Jn 2:1,2)

We believe that God the Holy Spirit is personal, not just a force. He is the author of the Scriptures. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He is the agent of regeneration. He indwells, seals and baptizes all believers into Christ. This baptism of the spirit also places believers into the universal church called the body of Christ. All these works of the Spirit occur at the time of the believer’s conversion. The Holy Spirit enables the believer to understand and apply the Scriptures. He empowers believers for godly living, and He equips them for witness and service.

(John 16:7-11; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:4-16; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13; 6:19; 12:4-7; 12:13; Ephesians 1:13, 14; Titus 3:5; 2 Peter 1:21)

We believe that the human race was created in the image of God with dignity and for fellowship with God, each other and with nature. Although marred by sin, mankind’s status as God’s image is retained. God’s goal for mankind is their worship of Him, their effective management of the world and their living in unity, love and respect with other humans. Due to sin, mankind can reach these goals only after being created anew through God’s grace.

(Genesis 1:26-28; Psalms 8:3-8; James 3:9)

Adam sinned and, as a result died spiritually. This means his fellowship with God was broken. In addition physical death entered creation through Adam’s sin. Consequently, all people as descendants of Adam, are considered sinners and enemies by God and have a sinful nature. Every human being is sinful in thought, word and deed, and absolutely in need of salvation. Sin manifests itself in the lives of people through stubbornness, pride, violence, shame, greed, evil intemperate desire and broken relationships with others. Sin affects mankind individually and corporately, even nationally.

(Genesis 3:16-19; Romans 3:23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:17-19; James 3:13-16)

We believe in the existence of a personal Satan and evil angelic powers and that they all have been judged by God in the death and resurrection of Christ. They are powerful and intelligent beings whose goal is marring God’s glory in the world. Temptation, intimidation, deceit and fear are the main weapons Satan and demons use to tempt Christians to sin. The believer needs to be alert and enter into spiritual warfare against Satan and demons. This spiritual warfare is fought with God’s weapons and armor. Believers most clearly face spiritual warfare in evangelism.

(Matthew 25:41; Luke 4:1-13; John 16:11; 2 Corinthians 10:4,5; Ephesians 6:10-20: Revelation 12:9; 20:10)

Angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshiped. Although they are a higher order of creation than man, they are created to serve God and to worship Him and minister to those who are saved.

(Luke 2:9-14; Hebrews 1:6-7, 14; 2:6-7; Revelation 5:11-14; 19:10; 22:9)

We believe that salvation is only by grace, through faith. All who by faith trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior are united with Him, are given spiritual life by the Holy Spirit, are restored to a peaceful relationship with God and declared righteous in God’s sight. Jesus Christ is the only savior of the world, trusting in Christ is the only way for anyone to be saved; people’s good/religious works or wisdom are all insufficient to save. All who are truly born again have been given eternal life, can never lose that salvation by any sin (including doubt) and shall never face God’s eternal punishment in hell. God’s salvation plan includes the restoration of creation, not just salvation of people.

(John 3:16; 10:28; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:8, 9; 8:18-39; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 1:10; 2:8-9; 4:30)

We believe that the Church is the focus of God’s redemptive plan for this period of time. The church’s purpose includes the worship of God, the growth of believers and evangelism of the lost. The church exists as a universal body, including all believers in Christ from Pentecost forward and from every nation. It also exists as a local group of baptized believers under God-called and equipped leadership. The Church although diverse in gifts, social and economic status, nationality and race, is wholly one in purpose and character. It is the responsibility of the members of the Church to participate in making disciples of Jesus Christ from every people group and to live out their faith with good works, such as justice and mercy. The metaphors of the church in the NT (i.e. temple, body) emphasize the unity in purpose, diversity in background and gifting and mutual support and help for growth and encouragement.

There are two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Neither baptism nor the Lord’s Supper are a part of or add to the salvation of believers. Taking part in these ordinances is commanded of all believers. They provide an expression of faith regarding the believer’s identification and fellowship with Christ and are opportunities to celebrate the unity of the church.

(Matthew 16:18; 28:18-20; Romans 15:20-21; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 12:12-26; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:8, 9; 2:19-22; 3:10, 21; Tit 2:14, 3:8,14; James 1:27)

We believe that Jesus Christ will return personally and bodily to take believers in Jesus to be with Him. Christ will return to establish His physically visible kingdom upon the earth and reign in righteousness, justice and peace over the world in fulfillment of Old Testament promises.

(Isaiah 9:6,7; 60; Daniel 2:44,45: 7:13,14; Zechariah 12-14; Romans 11:12-32; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Revelation 3:10; 20:1-10)

We believe that both believers and unbelievers will be raised from the dead with renewed bodies. The redeemed in Christ will enjoy eternal blessedness in heaven. Those who have not trusted in Christ for salvation will suffer eternal, conscious punishment in hell.

(Daniel 12:2; Mark 9:47-48; John 5:28, 29; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:3,4)

We believe that the Christian life is to be lived by faith, trusting the Lord to meet all needs. All believers are new creatures in Christ and have been given all they need to live godly lives, in victory over the flesh and Satan. These provisions include the indwelling Holy Spirit, prayer, the Scriptures and the local church. Believers are holy through their union with Christ and are called to live holy lives and to discipline themselves for the purpose of godliness.

(Matthew 6:31-34; Jn 17:17; Romans 6:8, 7:8; Gal 2:20-3:5; Ephesians 6:10-20; Phil 2:13, 3:16: Heb 10:10,14: 1 Peter 1:13-15; 5:8-11; 2 Peter 3:11-14; 2 Timothy 2:3-6; Titus 2:11, 12; Hebrews 12:14)