STATEMENT OF FAITH

We Believe...

The Bible

The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are the inspired word of God without error in the original writings. It is the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men and the Divine authority for Christian faith in life.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim. 3:16,17

God

In one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all.” Ephesians. 4:4-6

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is truly God, and truly man, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross as the sacrifice for our sins. He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into Heaven, to the right hand of the Father and is now our High Priest and Advocate.

“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”

1John 5:20

The Holy Spirit

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He comforts, regenerates, and indwells the repentant heart. He guides, instructs, and empowers believers for godly living and service.

“And when He (the Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” John 16:8

“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Titus 3:4-6

Man

Man was created in the image of God but through disobedience fell into sin. He is now lost and in need of a Savior. Recognizing Jesus Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life will bring regeneration by the Holy Spirit, making man a new creation.

“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe. For there is no difference,

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Rom.3:21-24

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2Cor. 5:17

The Atoning Work of Christ

The shed blood of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for our sins is the justification and salvation for all who believe. All who receive Jesus Christ as their Savior receive the promise of the Holy Spirit to become children of God.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:9

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),

that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:14

Life as a Christian

Christians are called to obey 2 great commandments. This is the sum of the Divine Law as revealed in the Scriptures.

“Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.” And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matt. 22:37-40

The Church

The Church, united together as the Body of Christ, of which He is the Head, is composed of those who with a believing, trusting faith in Jesus Christ, have received the Promise of and have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit to newness of life.

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28

The Sacraments

Water baptism by immersion and the Communion Celebration are ordinances observed by the Church. These ordinances are observed and practiced through the instructions outlined in Scripture. Salvation is only through belief in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, and not in the practice of these ordinances.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Mat 28:19

“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Rom 6:3,4

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 1Cor. 11:23-26

Physical & Spiritual Healing

Scripture teaches that believers are encouraged to offer the prayer of Divine healing on behalf of those who are sick. God uses providential means in answer to these prayers to accomplish His perfect will.

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” James 5:13-15

The Second Coming of Christ

The Scriptures teach the bodily return of Jesus Christ to the earth as King of kings and Lord of lords to judge the living and the dead. He will fulfill all prophecies concerning His final triumph, and that of the redeemed, over Satan and all that is evil.

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1Thess. 4:14-18

“Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.” 1Cor. 15:24-26

The Day of the Lord

The hour of His judgement is coming for the righteous and the unrighteous, the righteous unto the resurrection of life, the unrighteous unto the resurrection of judgement.

“Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” John 5:28-30

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.

And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Rev. 20:11-15