WHAT WE BELIEVE

STATEMENT OF FAITH

When it comes to doctrine, culture and preferences, we take an open hand / closed fist approach. Out of a loyalty to the teachings of Jesus, there are some things that we hold with a closed fist and cannot compromise on such as the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the doctrine of salvation by faith alone. On the other hand, where the Bible is silent or Christian orthodoxy can be legitimately debated, we hold these areas with an open hand and give freedom to conscience and wisdom. We affirm traditional Christian orthodoxy as written in the Apostle’s, Nicene, and Chalcedonian Creeds.

THE BIBLE

We believe that the entire Bible is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God and that men were moved by the Spirit to write the books of Scripture (2 Pet 1:20-21). The words of the Bible are the primary source for teaching and equipping Christians for a life of righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Bible is composed of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament, is the inspired word of God and without error in the original writing. The Bible was given by God through chosen people and thus reflects the backgrounds, styles, and vocabulary of human writers. The Bible is the full and final authority on all matters of faith and practice; there are no other writings similarly inspired by God. The Bible’s truth is timeless and speaks to our everyday lives.

GOD THE FATHER

He is exactly that. God is both the Creator of the world and our constant provider. We believe there is one God who is the Creator and the Ruler of the universe (Gen. 1:1). He eternally exists in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).

JESUS

Is God’s one and only Son. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life … He is the only way to the Father and we are saved by no other name through the work of the cross. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, in his virgin birth (Matt. 1:23), his sinless life (Heb. 4:15; 7:26), his atoning death on the cross (1 Cor. 15:3), his resurrection on the third day (John 11:25; 1 Cor. 15:4), and that He will return again to reign as Lord of lords (Acts 1:11; 1 Tim. 6:13-16).

HOLY SPIRIT

Is our constant companion, voice, and navigator.  The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every follower of Christ from the moment of salvation. He provides the believer with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and
guidance needed to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. He gives all believers spiritual gifts used to draw them closer to Himself and build up the church. All gifts are in operation today and lead to a balanced community of believers. We believe in the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit that empowers each Christian to live a godly life (Rom. 8:11). The Holy Spirit provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, guidance in doing what is right, and spiritual gifts to build the church (1 Corinthians 12).

HUMANITY

We believe that human beings were created in the image of God to have fellowship with Him (Gen. 1:26), but became alienated from that relationship through sinful disobedience (Gen. 3). As a result, humanity is totally incapable of coming back into a right relationship with God by one’s own effort.

SALVATION

We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross solely provides for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 10:45). Therefore, salvation is received only when a person places their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as the sufficient payment for one’s acknowledged sin (Acts 2:38). This salvation is not earned but a gift available by the grace of God alone (Eph. 2:8-9).

BAPTISM

Is symbolic of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Once we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, baptism is a way for us to publicly declare our new life in Christ. It is also a step of obedience based on God’s commands and allows us to follow the example of Jesus, who submitted himself to baptism to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:16-17, 28:18-20; Acts 2:41, 8:12).

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 in Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence (John 3:16, 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9).

THE CHURCH

This is us. As a body of believers, we make up the church of Jesus Christ. And it is our mission to use the platform of the local church to make disciples, meet the needs of our community, and strengthen fellow believers. We believe that the church is the body of Christ, of which Jesus is the Head (Col. 1:18). The purpose of the church is to gather believers to glorify God by being a powerful witness for Jesus Christ in a lost world (Matt. 28:18-20). God wants to edify and build up His church; this is why the Holy Spirit gives a variety of spiritual gifts to believers, such as-encouragement, serving, teaching, healing, prophecy, etc. (Romans 12, I Cor. 12). We practice two ordinances in the church instituted by Christ Himself: water baptism (Luke 3:21-22) and Holy Communion (Luke 22:14-20). But most importantly, the church exists to share the love of Jesus.