1. About the Bible
We believe that the Bible is God’s Word, written by men who were divinely inspired, and that in all matters of faith and conduct it is the supreme authority. We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenarily inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed and, therefore, are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning (2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Pet. 1:20-21).
2. About the Trinity
We believe in one triune God, eternally existing in three persons- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit- each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; John 14:10, 26; 2 Cor. 13:14).
3. About God’s Character
We believe in the perfect holiness and justice, infinite wisdom and measureless power of God. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayers; and that He saves from sin and death all that come to Him in repentance and faith through Jesus Christ.
4. About Jesus
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, who was born of the Virgin Mary and who was sinless in His life. We believe that by His death He made atonement for the sins of the whole world. We believe in His bodily resurrection; that He rose from the dead; that He was seen by the apostles; that He ascended into Heaven; that He is now interceding for His people; and that He will personally return to receive His own.
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8).
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet.2:24; 1 Peter 1:3-5). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. (Acts 1:9-10; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:24; 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2).
5. About the Holy Spirit
We believe in the person and work of the Holy Spirit who came “to convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment”, and to regenerate, indwell, sanctify; and comfort those who believe in Jesus Christ.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of
righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in
regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and
sealing them unto the day of redemption (John 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor.
12:12-14; 2 Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13-14).
We believe that He is the divine Teacher who assists believers to understand
and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the
saved to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27).
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every
believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip
believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry.
(Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28; Eph. 4:7-12).
6. About Sin
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God; but that in 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. (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19).
7. About the Church
We believe that the true church, the Body of Christ, of which He is the Head, is composed of regenerated believers. We believe that the basis for membership in the local church is the individual’s personal acceptance of Jesus Christ by faith in Jesus Christ and baptism by immersion. We believe that the local church is the organized working force of Christ, united for worship, work, and fellowship (1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor.11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27)
We recognize water baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper as the Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the church in this age. (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-38; 1 Cor. 11:23-26). We believe that God established the offices of the church to minister to it and enable it to carry out its function effectively. The office of elder (terms bishop, elder, pastor are used interchangeably) designates the overseer(s) who provides leadership to the church. The office of deacon designates men who are yielded to serving the church in ways that enable elders (pastors, bishop) to be more effective in the ministry of the Word and Prayer (Acts 6:1-7). We believe that these offices should be held by men and that the requirements of the office should be based on God’s Word. (I Timothy 3, Titus 1:5-9, Philippians 1:1)
8. About Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and
received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose precious blood was shed
on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins ( John 1:12; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10;1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 John 1:9).
9. About the Priesthood of Believers
We believe in the priesthood of all believers. We believe that through Jesus Christ every believer has direct access into God’s presence without the need of a human priest; and that every believer has the right and responsibility to study the Scriptures through the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 4:6, II Timothy 2:15, I Peter 2:9).
10. About Eternal Life
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men; the saved to eternal life in heaven, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment in hell (Matt. 25:46; John 5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13).