Faith Statement

God is One and exists in three distinct persons–the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit—co-equal in essence, power, and glory. God has revealed himself to be perfect in love, holiness, and righteousness. God is Creator and Ruler of the universe who upholds and governs all. Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 12:25-27; 28:19; John 1:1, 2; 10:30; 14:26; 15:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2

God the Father is an infinite personal Spirit, perfect in wisdom, power, and love. God concerns himself mercifully in the affairs of humanity through his providence and his power. God hears and answers prayer and is able to recreate all who come to him through Jesus Christ. Genesis 1:1; Psalm 19:1; 102:25-27; Matthew 7:11; Ephesians 1:3-6

Jesus Christ, God’s one and only Son, is co-equal with God both true God and true human. Jesus lived a sinless life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven where he continually intercedes for his people awaiting his personal, visible return to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22, 23; 5:17-18; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3, 4; 1 Corinthians 15:1-17; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 2:4; 4:15; 7:25; 10:19-20; Titus 2:13

The Holy Spirit, also called the Spirit of God or the Spirit of Christ, is co-equal with the Father and with the Son. He is present in the world to make humans aware of their need for Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation providing the Christian with the power for living, understanding for spiritual truth, guidance in doing what is right, and a spiritual gift for service in God’s Kingdom. Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22, 23; 5:17-18; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3, 4; 1 Corinthians 15:1-17; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 2:4

The Bible has God for its author, salvation for its end and truth without any mixture of error for its matter. The Bible was written by human beings divinely inspired and is the record of God’s revelation of himself to humanity. The Bible is a perfect treasure of divine instruction and is the supreme standard by which all human conduct and beliefs should be evaluated. The criterion by which the Bible is to be interpreted is Jesus Christ.

People are the supreme object of God’s creation, made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, each person is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and from others and causes many problems in life. Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 2:23; Isaiah 59:1-2

Salvation is God’s free gift to save human beings from their state of rebellious sin. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from the consequences of sin. When we admit our rebellion against God, turn from our self-ruled life, and turn to Jesus in faith, God saves us. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his or her life by faith. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

All who have been baptized into Jesus Christ by water and Spirit are enabled by the Holy Spirit to obey God’s Word. Each believer is Spirit-guided through faith, prayer, and spiritual giftedness to progress towards spiritual maturity in Christ and obligated to pursue a life of obedience and holiness. Believers are to confess and repent when they sin. Those who persist in sin should be warned and, if merited, disciplined. Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Romans 6:5-11; 1 John 3:4-10

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not the self-effort of the Christian. Since the grace and keeping power of God is the source of the believer’s security, true believers endure to the end. John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

The New Testament church is a local body of baptized believers who are associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of Jesus Christ. The local church is the primary instrument of God for the extension of His Kingdom in the world today. Jesus Christ committed two ordinances to the church — baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Though we practice believer’s baptism by immersion, we recognize the variation of practice and affirm the unity of the Body. The New Testament also speaks of the church as the living, spiritual Body of Christ of which Christ is the head and all believers of all ages are members. Matthew 16:15-19; Acts 2:41-42, 47; 5:11-14; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; Ephesians 1:22-23; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18

People were created to live forever and will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8; Matthew 2:44-46