what we believe

The Scriptures 

We embrace Biblical orthodoxy as an essential component to the health of Believers. Therefore, we believe the Holy Scriptures of the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament to be the verbally inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible, and God-breathed and do not need to be added to (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12, 13). 

The Trinity (Godhead) 

We believe in one Triune God as Creator, eternally existing in three persons— God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—coeternal in being, co-eternal in nature, co-equal in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14). 

The Finished Work Of Jesus Christ On The Cross 

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God (he added humanity to His divinity), having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (John 1:1–2, 14; Luke 1:35). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3–5). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry as Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9, 10; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:24; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1–2). We believe Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead (1 Peter 4:5; Romans 14:9; 2 Timothy 4:1). 

The Holy Spirit Is Fully God 

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person and the third member of the Godhead who convicts both individually and collectively the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption and enabling spiritual gifts (John 16:8–11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12–14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18) 

The Total Depravity Of Man 

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that through Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; man is totally depraved and of himself utterly unable to remedy his lost condition without placing saving faith in Jesus Christ (Genesis 1:26, 27; Romans 3:22, 23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1–3, 12). 

Salvation By Grace Through Faith 

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who is God’s means of grace for redemption, whose blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 2:8–10; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18–19). 

Eternal Security And Assurance Of Believers 

We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever and that salvation cannot be lost. Additionally, since we have this eternal assurance in Christ that does not give us a license to sin, but rather faith in Christ leads one to daily die to one’s self and to deny their sinful desires for the sake of the Gospel (John 6:37–40; 10:27–30; Romans 8:1, 38, 39; 1 Corinthians 1:4–8; 1 Peter 1:5; Romans 5:20 – 6:4; Romans 13:13, 14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11–15) 

Spiritual Gifts 

We believe that God is Sovereign in distributing spiritual gifts to Believers. It is, however, the believer’s responsibility to attempt to develop their God-given spiritual gift(s). The Baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at the moment of placing saving faith in Christ and is the placing of the believer into the Body of Christ. We also believe that particular Spiritual Gift(s) are neither essential, nor prove the presence of the Holy Spirit, nor are an indication of deep spiritual experience (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, 13; Ephesians 4:7–8). We believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accordance with His own will, for the sick and afflicted (John 15:7; 1 John 5:14, 15). We believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to the gift(s) and grace of God that is given to him (Romans 12:1–8; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Peter 4:10–11). 

The Church 

We believe that the church, which is the body and bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again people (Ephesians 1:22, 23; 5:25–27; 1 Corinthians 12:12–14; 2 Corinthians 11:2). We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 18:22; 20:17; 1 Timothy 3:1–3; Titus 1:5–11). We believe in the autonomy of the local churches, free of any external authority and control (Acts 13:1–4; 15:19– 31; 20:28; Romans 16:1,4; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16; 1 Corinthians 5:4–7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1–4). We recognize believer’s baptism and the Lord’s supper as scriptural means of testimony for the church and that every believer is called to be an active member of a local church. (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41, 42; Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26). 

Christ’s Return 

We believe that all will be resurrected to give an account to God for their lives. Those that have placed saving faith in Christ will be resurrected to eternal blessedness and have joy and peace in the presence of the eternal God. Those that have not placed saving faith in Christ will be resurrected to judgment and endure eternal punishment (1 Thess. 4:13-18; Zech. 14:4-11; Rev. 19:11-16; 20:1-6; 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9; Rev. 3:10 

Marriage 

We believe the Scriptures teach that “marriage” is a wonderful gift from God that can only be defined as an exclusive covenant union in which God joins one man and one woman together for life. (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:31). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. For that reason, we believe that God has clearly forbidden any intimate sexual activity outside of a marriage covenant between a man and a woman. (Proverbs 5:18-19; 1 Corinthians 7:1-7; Hebrews 13:4). We believe that Scripture declares that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography or any attempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God. (Leviticus 18:22; Deuteronomy 5:18; Deuteronomy 22:5; Romans 1:27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10; Jude 1:7). We believe that in order to obey the clear teachings of the Bible, to preserve the function and integrity of the church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons who are members, who are employed by the church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide by and agree to this Statement on Marriage and Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly. (Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 51-13; Ephesians 4:17-24, 5:3-9; 1 John 2:1-5). We believe that as with all other issues of morality, the church must look to the Scriptures to discern God’s will, not to any government edict or cultural norm that calls us to think or act differently. (Exodus 1:15-21; 1 Kings 18:4, 13-15; Daniel 3:1-30, 6:1-28; Acts 4:18-19; 5:29; 1 Peter 1:13-17, 2:13-17, 3:13-22; Revelation 13:14). We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are unacceptable and are not in accordance with scripture nor the Doctrines of this church. We trust that any who struggle with sexual sin, or any other sin, will be treated with an honorable balance of grace and truth. (John 1:14, 3:16-21; Acts 17:30-31; Romans 12:9-21; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7; Galatians 5:16-6:3)