What We Believe
God
We believe there is one eternal God that consists of the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God the Father loves His children and sent God the Son to take our place in death. God the Spirit was sent into the world to convict the hearts of people to turn back to their creator. God revealed Himself to humankind by being born as a human in Jesus. (Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Romans 8; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1-5; Hebrews 4:14-15; John 16:7-13)
Jesus
Jesus became flesh by being born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, taught the world about His Father, and promised He would return in the Holy Spirit to be with all who follow him in faith. Jesus then died a sacrificial physical death on the cross to make salvation available to all who would call on His name in faith. He was buried, and then raised from physical death to physical life by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus ascended into heaven from where He poured out the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18-25; Galatians 4:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
Holy Spirit
People who have become followers of Jesus are to live in holiness and obedience as they yield to the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit to dwell in those who are forgiven. The Holy Spirit transforms the believer in mind and lifestyle into the image of Jesus. He indwells each believer after baptism in accordance with the Holy Scripture and becomes their source of assurance, strength, wisdom, and gifting for the building up of the local church. (Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 2:12; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:18)
Humanity
God created humans in His own image and without sin. However, human beings fell away from God through a free will choice to act in unrighteousness. Humans were in a helpless state because of sin, but God acted to bring redemption. (Acts 17:24-28; Isaiah 59:1-2)
Salvation
Salvation is a free gift of God. The death of Christ on the cross is the only sufficient payment for our sins. We can never make up for our sin by living a good life or keeping perfectly religious commandments. Salvation is offered from God to everyone who puts their faith in Christ as Savior. The bible teaches that this faith is expressed through confession, repentance and baptism. God forgives our sins and raises us to walk a new life empowered by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 1:16-17, 3:23-24, 5:1, 6:3-8, 23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26-27; Acts 2:37-41; Matthew 28:19-20)
Church
When God forgives humans of unrighteousness He adds the saved to His church. In this faith community believers function together in love for each other, to encourage each other, protect each other from spiritual harm, share in physical needs, and share our faith with each other and the lost world. This faith community gathers together on a regular basis for corporate praise and worship to God at which time the body communes together by sharing the Lord’s Supper. (Acts 2:41-47; Ephesians 4:1-16, 5:29-30)
Heaven
When the time set by the Father is complete, Jesus will return. He will judge the world for sin. He will take with Him those whom He has redeemed from sin to be with him for eternity. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 John 3:2; Acts 1:11)
Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is the final authority in our understanding of God and life. It is our supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. It is a compilation of books and letters written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21)