About Us \ Statement of Faith \ Systematic Theology
Our Beliefs
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27,3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14
About Jesus Christ
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 rose 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.
Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; John 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every a believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
About the Bible
The Bible is God's word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20,21; Psalm 119:105,160,12:6; Proverbs 30:5
About Human Beings
People are made in the image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, we have through the sin of Adam, inherited a heart of disobedience towards God. We have out-rightly rejected God, made our selves God and live in that rebellion everyday of our lives. This disobedience is called sin and has altered nature, love, relationship, all of humanity and has lead us to a state of depravity. Left alone we are helpless to remedy the situation. We are not capable of doing enough good to save ourselves. We are not, however, left without salvation…
Genesis 1:26-27; Psalms 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1,2; Romans 3:22-23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12
About Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 5:1,6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6,1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26
About Eternal Security
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" it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 10:10,14; I Peter 1:3-5
About Eschatology
Jesus is coming back. We’re not certain that we know how or when. We are certain that he will reign and reestablish a new heaven and a new earth.
About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We 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 eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places for eternal existence.
John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; John 10:28; Matthew 7:21; 1 John 5:11-12; Matthew 25:31-46
Spiritual Gifts
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowing of spiritual gifts. It is, however, the believer's responsibility to attempt to develop their sovereignly given spiritual gift(s). The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion and is the placing of the believer into the body of Christ. We also believe that particular spiritual gift(s) are neither essential (proving the presence of the Holy Spirit), nor an indication of deep spiritual experience. (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, & 13; Ephesians 4:7-8)
We believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accord with his own will, for the sick and afflicted. (John 15:7; 1 John 5:14-15)
We believe it is the privilege and responsibility of all believers to minister according to the gift(s) and grace of God given to them. (Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Peter 4:10-11)
The Church
We believe that the church, which is the body and espoused bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons of this present age. (Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25-27; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2)
We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament scriptures. (Acts 14:27, 18:22, & 20:17; 1 Timothy 3:1-3; Titus 1:5-11)
We believe in the autonomy of the local church, free of any external authority and control. (Acts 13:1-4, 15:19-31, & 20:28; Romans 16:1,4; 1 Corinthians 3:9,16, & 5:4-7,13; 1 Peter 5:1-4)
We recognize a believer's baptism and the Lord's supper as scriptural means of testimony for the church in this age. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
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