what we believe

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Holy Spirit is God, is coequal with God and has always existed. He is present in the lives of those who have been spiritually born again. He brings salvation and new life. The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer from the moment of salvation. He provides assurance, power, direction, guidance, conviction and service. The Holy Spirit imparts spiritual gifts (we believe all gifts are in operation today) to believers for the purpose of enabling them to serve one another. Christians should desire to live under the daily filling and leadership of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible is God’s very words to all of humanity. It was written by humanity under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is our source for authority and beliefs. The Scripture is sufficient for all that God requires for us to believe and do and is therefore to be believed, as God’s instruction, in all that it teaches; obeyed, as God’s command, in all that it requires; and trusted, as God’s pledge, in all that it promises. We believe the entire Word of God is truth without error.

Men and women are created equal and in the image of God to have fellowship with Him. Humanity is the supreme and crowning work of God’s creation. However, humanity has turned from God toward sin. This sinful disobedience separates us from God and causes problems with other people. The final result of sin is spiritual death and eternal separation from God.

Through the temptation of Satan, humanity transgressed the command of God and fell from their original holiness and righteousness. Now the entire human race inherits a corrupt nature that is opposed to God and His law. Therefore, all humans are under condemnation. This depravity is radical and pervasive.

Salvation through Jesus Christ is God’s free gift to us but we must be willing to believe it and receive it. 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 we be saved from sin’s penalty. If there were another way to obtain salvation, then Jesus Christ would not have come to earth to die on the cross.. Eternal life begins the moment we ask and receive Jesus Christ into our lives by faith. Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved you cannot “lose” your salvation. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian.

The local church is a body of believers organized for worship, fellowship, and lovingly sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. The Bible calls the church the “Bride” of Christ, as well as the “Body” of Christ, left here on earth to carry out the Lord’s will. The two ordinances of the church are believer’s baptism (immersion) and the Lord’s Supper. The local church is an independent and self-governing body, led by Biblically-qualified elders, and responsible to Christ alone who is its Savior and Lord.