Who we are

Our Common Faith

God:

We believe in the one eternal Creator God who reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. John 14:9-11; 15:26; Mk. 12:29,30

Jesus:

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. We believe he lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven. Luke 1:35; I Peter 2:21,22; Matt. 1:20-25; 27; 28

The Holy Spirit:

We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts of sin, affects the new birth, gives guidance in life, empowers for service, and enables perseverance in faith and holiness. John 3:5,6; 16:7-11,13; I Cor. 2:12

The Scriptures: 

We believe the scriptures are a collection of stories known as the Bible and are given by inspiration of God. The Bible is a unified story that leads us to Jesus as King and Redeemer, and is intended to teach us about God, show us His plan for the world, and help us know how He wants us to live. Mat.5:17; Acts 8:35; II Timothy 3:15,16

Creation:

We believe creation to be as outlined in Genesis 1&2, a literal, 6 day creation by the power of God’s Word. Mankind, the crown of creation, was given the image and breath of God and assigned with taking dominion over it. Gen. 1-2:7; Heb.11:3; Ps. 33:6; Jn. 1:2,3

Mankind:

We believe that in the beginning God created male and female, with unique complimentary roles in fulfilling His purpose. Mankind, created in the image of God, has a free will, a conscience, a moral character, and a spiritual nature. Col. 1:16-17, John 1:1-13, Gen. 1:27; Acts 17:24-28

Salvation: 

We believe that God offers the free gift of salvation to all people. We are instructed to call on the name of the Lord, believe in Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, be baptized, and walk in newness of life. Ephesians 2:8,9; John 3:3,5; Romans 6:1-7, 10:9, 10; Heb.5:9

The Church:

We believe the church is the body of Christ expressed through the universal church and the local congregation. It consists of all those who are redeemed and who walk in obedience to the Word of God. Jn. 14:23,24; 17:20-23; Eph. 1; 4:11-13; 5:22-33

Relation to the State:

As ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, We are foreigners in any earthly nation. Christ's teachings prohibit participation in war and revenge of any kind. Christ's followers are called to a ministry of mercy and reconciliation and do not participate in civil government. We believe that civil government should be obeyed respectfully unless its requests conflict with the Kingdom of God. Christians should honor and pray for all in authority and be known as servants in their communities. Mat. 22:15-22; Acts 5:29; Romans 13; John 18:36; Heb. 11:13-16; I Pet.2:17

Marriage:

We believe that God designed marriage to be the union of one man and one woman for life and that believers should only marry spouses who are fully committed to Christ. We believe the scriptures teach that it is sin to remarry while one’s original marriage partner is still living. Gen. 2:24,  Mark 10-2:10; I Cor. 7:10-16,39; II Cor. 6:14,15; Eph. 5:22-33

Practical obedience:

We believe New Testament teachings and practices such as hospitality, head-covering, foot-washing, communion, baptism, the kiss of charity, laying on of hands, non-swearing of oaths, brotherhood sharing, and returning good for evil should be practiced by believers today. Obedience confirms our love for Jesus. Jn. 14:21; I Cor. 11:2-16, 23-26, Heb.13:2, Jn.13:1-17, Mat. 28:19, Rom. 16:16, Acts 13:3, Mat. 5:34, 44 Acts 2:44,45

Jesus’ Return:

We believe Jesus is coming again to culminate His everlasting Kingdom. He will judge all (both dead and alive), gathering the righteous to eternal bliss and committing the unrighteous to the lake of fire. Jesus commands us to live in watchfulness because no man knows the day or hour of His return. Rev. 20:15; Luke 23:43; John 14:3; 2 Pet.3:10-13 Mat. 25:13