What We Believe

1. The Bible is the inspired Word of God

We believe that the entire Bible, though written by men, was supremely inspired by God so that all its words are the written true revelation of God; it is, therefore, without error in the originals and authoritative in all matters (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). It is to be understood by all through the illumination of the Holy Spirit; its meaning determined by the historical, grammatical, and literary use of the author's language, comparing scripture with scripture. It is the final authority for all Christian faith and life.

2. The Godhead

We believe in one Living God, eternally existing in three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The members of the Trinity are equal in nature, distinct in person, and subordinate in duties, therefore to be honored equally as God (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3;16-17; John 1:1-2; Matthew 28:18-20).

God the Father is the head of the Divine trinity - source of the Word and the Holy Spirit (John 14:16; John 14:26; John 14:28; John 1:14).

God the Son is the Word and has existed with the Father from the beginning. Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh. He lives forever as perfect God and perfect man; two distinct natures inseparably united in one person (1 Timothy 3:16; John 20:28-29; John 1:1-2; John 1:14; John 1:18).

God the Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal (John 15:26; Acts 5:3-4; Hebrews 9:14; Gen 1:1-2). The person of the Holy Spirit teaches (John 14:26), testifies (John 15:26), guides (Romans 8:14), speaks (1 Corinthians 2:13), enlightens (John 16:13), intercedes (Romans 8:26), etcetera.

3. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

We believe that our Lord offered Himself as a sacrifice as directed by the Father (John 10:17-18). He fulfilled the will of God by His obedient life, died on the cross in full substitution and payment for the sins of all (vicarious substitutionary atonement), was buried, descended into hell, and on the third day He arose bodily from the dead. He ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of God the Father, ever making intercession for us. We believe in His glorious return with the Church to set up His earthly kingdom (Second Coming, Revelation 19:11-16).

4. The Virgin Birth of Jesus

We believe in the virgin birth of Jesus. The virgin birth of Christ is not an independent doctrine which we can receive or reject without affecting our Christianity. It is one of the foundation stones of Christianity, our faith will crumble if it is removed. This doctrine is tied to inerrancy, Christ's sinless nature, the atonement and other key documents of the Bible. If Jesus was not born of a virgin, He would be unable to save Himself, because He would not be a sinless Savior.

At least seven biblical authors wrote of the virgin birth of Christ. Together these seven men wrote 29 or 30 books of the Bible. If we choose to deny this doctrine, we would raise the issue of credibility of some of the most prominent and prolific Bible writers. Three of these seven authors spoke prophetically of the virgin birth, the others wrote after the fact:

1. Moses - Gen.3:15. 2. Isaiah - Is. 7:14. 3. Jeremiah - Jer. 31:22 4. Matthew - Mt. 1:18,20; 1:22-23; 1:25. 5. Luke - Lk. 1:27; 1:32; 1:34-35. 6. John - Jn. 8:41-42. 7. Paul - Gal. 4:4.

5. You must be Born Again

In John 3:3 Jesus said to Nicodemus "...except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we were declared righteous, born again by the Holy Spirit, turned from our sin, and assured of Heaven as our eternal home. We believe that the shed blood of Jesus the Christ and His resurrection provide the only means for justification and salvation for all who believe in Him as their Savior. Being justified by grace, through faith alone, a person becomes joint heirs with Jesus (Luke 24:47, John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:11).

6. Existence of Hell

We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; the saved to everlasting life and the lost to eternal separation from God. (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:13-15)

Hell exists as a definite part of the eternal plan of God. Hell is not the devil's playground, nor is it someone's punishment on earth. God created Hell, a real place where real people will suffer real punishment for a real eternity. One of the primary dangers of false religions is their denial of this place. They tend to define it merely as an ancient superstition, yet its existence is so well documented in the Word of God that to deny Hell is to deny the authority of the Bible. Hell has rightfully been called the most sobering doctrine in all scripture.

In the Bible, God is not revealed as one who wants or causes good people to suffer in Hell; but, He is revealed as one who, at infinite cost, has wrought to the end that sinners, believing in Christ, may not perish, but have everlasting life (2 Peter 3:9).

7. Water Baptism

We believe in the ordinance of baptism, by immersion in water, of all professing believers (Matthew 28:19). We believe that baptism is an outward sign of an inward trust. Baptism is more than an initiatory rite in a local church; it is a symbol portraying the ultimate meaning of the Lord's death. Through baptism, believers publicly identify themselves with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Rom. 6:4-6; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38).

8. Communion

Like water baptism, Communion (or the Lord's Supper) is an ordinance of the Church. It was instituted by Jesus Christ, (Matthew 26:26-28 and Mark 14:22-24). The purpose of the Lord's Supper is explained in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood; this do ye as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." See also Luke 22:14-20.

9. Baptism of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the agent of inspiration and the new birth; that He restrains sin and Satan and indwells and sanctifies all believers. We believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an empowering for service that takes place after the experience of salvation. He enables a believer to witness to the Lord's salvation and to demonstrate one or more of the gifts (or manifestations) of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-6; Acts 8:15-17).

10. Gifts of the Holy Spirit

A spiritual gift is the Holy Spirit's enduement of power, revelation, or utterance. It is a divine empowering whereby a believer may speak and/or minister with power, wisdom, or knowledge beyond his own abilities.

Before Jesus returned to the Father, He commissioned His followers to carry on His ministry in the same manner and power as He had. "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father" (John 14:12). "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me in both Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth" (Acts 1:8). "And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people" (Acts 5:12). "These signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues, they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover" (Mark 16:17-18).

The Gifts are given by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of ministry and personal edification (Jude 20). "The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal" (1 Cor. 12:7). Spiritual Gifts are described in: Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; and Ephesians 4:7-11.

11. The Personality of Satan

We believe in the reality and personality of Satan, a subtle fallen angel who ultimately will be cast into the Lake of Fire. We Believe that Satan is the enemy of God and of the people of God; opposing and exalting himself above all that is called God. In warfare Satan may appear as an angel of light, even counterfeiting the works of God. (Genesis 3:1-19; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:10.)

12. The Final Judgement

There will be a final judgement in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the Satan and his fallen angels, will be sent to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone. This is referred to as the second death, eternal separation from God. (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8).

13. The Blessed Hope

The resurrection of dead Christians and their translation together with Christians who are alive at the coming of our savior Jesus Christ, is the imminent and Blessed Hope of the Church (1 Corinthians 15: 51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Titus 2:13).

14. The New Heavens and the New Earth

We, according to His promise, look forward to the new Heavens and a new Earth, where we will dwell in righteousness with God (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation chapters 21 and 22).