Our Church’s Statement of Beliefs

The Holy Scriptures

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God; it is absolutely true, enduring, and unchangeable. The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17. Matthew 24:35, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21).

The Eternal Godhead

One True God: The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent "I AM," the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10,11, Matthew 28:19, Luke 3:22)

The Trinity

 We believe in one God who exists in three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The three parts of the Trinity are coexistent and coeternal, which means that they always have existed and always will exist together. Therefore, because these three persons in the Godhead are in a state of unity, there is but one Lord God Almighty and His name one.

The Deity of Jesus Christ

The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. We believe as the Scriptures declare:

His virgin birth: Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:31, Luke 1:35

His sinless life: Hebrews 7:26, 1 Peter 2:22

His miracles: Acts 2:22, Acts 10:38

His substitutionary work on the cross: 1 Corinthians 15:3, 2 Corinthians 5:21

His bodily resurrection from the dead: Matthew 28:6, Luke 24:39, 1 Corinthians 15:4

His exaltation to the right hand of God: Acts 1:9, Acts 1:11, Acts 2:33, Philippians 2:9-11 Hebrews 1:3

The Fall of Man

We believe that Adam and Eve, the precursors of the entire human race, were created in the image of God; however, they disobeyed God and became sinners. Through Adam, all people inherited sin’s nature and consequences, and all are in need of a Redeemer (Genesis 1:27; Romans 5:12, 19).

The Plan of Redemption

We believe that Christ died for all of us while we were still sinners; He took the punishment for our sin. With His own blood, He purchased salvation and redemption for all who believe in Him (John 3:16; Isaiah 53:5; Titus 2:14).

Salvation through Grace

We believe that salvation is totally an act of God’s grace that is accessed through faith in Jesus Christ. No person can be good enough to earn salvation, and “being good” does not contribute to receiving God’s love and favor (Ephesians 2:8,13).

Repentance, Acceptance & Sanctification

We believe that, when people repent for their sins and accept Christ, they are justified through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. To repent means to be sorry for sins, but it also means to turn away from a sinful lifestyle. Accepting Christ means believing in Him as the only Savior. To be justified means being declared “not guilty” in regard to sin (Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 1:9).

Sanctification Initially Occurs at Salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christ-like.

The New Birth

We believe that the change that takes place in people when they are “born again” is very real. They receive righteousness through Jesus Christ, and they are empowered by the Holy Spirit; therefore, they should have new desires, interests and pursuits (John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Daily Christian Life

We believe that people who have been born again grow in sanctification—which means that they separate themselves from the value system of the world and embrace and live according to the values of the kingdom that Jesus proclaimed. As they do so, they increase in holiness, faith, power, prayer, love and service (2 Corinthians 7:1).

Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe that people who have been born again should be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself was baptized and instructed His followers to be baptized. Baptism also confirms that Christ is the Lord and King in each believer’s life (Romans 6:4). We believe in observing the Lord’s Supper, or communion, just as Jesus instructed. This means that born-again believers take the broken bread and the fruit of the vine as a remembrance and celebration of the new life that is theirs because of Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection. It is also looking forward to His return as triumphant King (1 Corinthians 11:24-26).

Baptism with the Holy Spirit

We believe that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is an experience that follows salvation. All believers have God’s Spirit within them. However, being “baptized” means that the Holy Spirit is present in a new dimension. Holy Spirit empowers believers to exalt Jesus, to live lives of holiness, and to be witnesses of God’s saving grace. We believe that those who experience the Holy Spirit baptism today will experience it in the same manner that believers experienced it in the early church; in other words, we believe that they will speak in tongues—languages that are not known to them (Acts 1: 5, 8; 2:4).

The Spirit-Filled Life

We believe that born-again believers should be people who pray and who allow the Holy Spirit to shape their values and behaviors every day; their lives should exemplify love, honesty and sincerity (Ephesians 4:30-32).

The Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit: We believe that the Holy Spirit gives ministry gifts to believers; in other words, the Holy Spirit gives people special abilities for ministry. These gifts will build up groups of believers and help them mature in Christian faith (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). Further, Spirit-filled believers should show the spiritual “fruit” that has been given to them: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control (Romans 12:6-8; Galatians 5:22-25).

Divine Healing

We believe that Jesus Christ heals people who are sick. God does not change; He is still willing and able to heal the body, as well as the soul and spirit, in response to faith (Mark 16: 17, 18; James 5:14-16).

The Blessed Hope

When Jesus Raptures His Church Prior to His Return to Earth (the second coming). At this future moment in time all believers who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with them, to be with the Lord forever.

The Second Coming of Christ

We believe that the second coming of Christ imminent; we are as certain that His second coming will occur as we are that His first coming is a historical fact. No one knows the exact time of His coming, but believers will continue to spread the gospel around the world until He does come again. At that time the Lord Himself will descend from heaven, the dead Christians will be resurrected, and believers will be taken up to meet the Lord in the air (Matthew 24:36, 42, 44; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).

Church Relationship

We believe that it is essential for all believers to join with and become part of a congregation of other believers. It is important to worship together, observe the ordinances of the church, encourage and support one another, and work together to advance the Lord’s kingdom (Hebrews 10:24, 25).

Judgment

We believe that everyone will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Born-again believers will be sent to a place of everlasting life, and nonbelievers will be sent to a place of everlasting punishment (Revelation 20:11, 12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

Heaven & Hell

We believe that heaven is the habitation of the living God and the eternal home of born-again believers (John 14:2; Revelation 7:15-17).

We believe that hell is a place of darkness, deep sorrow and unquenchable fire, which was not prepared for man but for the devil and his angels; it will become the place of eternal separation from God for all who reject Christ as Savior (Matthew 13: 41, 42; Revelation 20:10, 15).

Ministry

We believe that evangelizing and making disciples is the primary “business” of the church; every hindrance to worldwide evangelism should be removed (James 5:20; Mark 16:15).

Tithing and Offerings

We believe that tithing (giving 10 percent of earnings) and offerings (amounts determined by the individuals) are God’s instruments to carry on His ministry, spread the gospel, and release personal blessing (Malachi 3:10; 1 Corinthians 16: 1, 2).

Millennial Reign of Christ

The Millennial Reign of Christ is when Jesus returns with His saints at His second coming and begins His benevolent rule over earth for 1,000 years. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel and the establishment of universal peace.

New Heavens & New Earth

We believe and look forward to the perfect New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever following His millennial reign on Earth. ‘And so shall we forever be with the Lord!