Beliefs

The purpose of this document is to affirm our belief in key issues of biblical doctrine. The core of the gospel is communicated within these affirmations. It is not the purpose of this document to go off in a number of other directions which would deal primarily with issues which would be considered to be matters of opinion.

About God

God is the awesome creator and ruler of the universe. He has lived forever in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. God the Father cares for all he has made and is only revealed to us through Jesus Christ. Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; John 14:26; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:6

About Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, God in flesh, God revealed! He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin named Mary, and lived a sinless human life. He was fully God and fully man. He offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead bodily after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven where he lives and works on our behalf. He promised to return personally again someday. Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22, 23; Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1-5; 14:6-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3, 4; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 7:25-27; Revelation 19:11-16

About the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. The Spirit of God is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives, as the Comforter, in every Christian and provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts to serve him and His Church and which he can nurture in them as they grow. As Christians and the Church, we seek to keep in step with the spirit, living under his control daily. John 14:16, 17; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; 2 Cor. 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18

About the Church

We believe the Church is the Body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit to do the will of God according to the word of God. Through faith in Christ we are members of the Church in a universal sense, and we practice that membership in the church locally. Believers humbly submit themselves to Christ and the leadership which He has established in the church. Believers belong to one another and take care of one another, and use their time, talents & treasures to serve the church and the world. Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:15-16; Colossians 1:17-18; Romans 12:4-8; Hebrews 10:23-25; Matthew 28:18-20

About the Bible

The Bible is God's word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of God's Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without error. Psalm 12:6; 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21

About People

People are made in the spiritual 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, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This condition separates people from God eternally and causes many problems in life, including our own eventual spiritual & physical death. But because people are God's most special creation, His heart & love goes out for us. He is the only one who could somehow bridge this separation, and defeat the death which seems to loom ahead of us and even around us! Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1, 2; Romans 3:23; 5:12-20

About Salvation

Because of God's love for people, God rescued us and saves us from our own demise! God sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross as our sacrifice and substitute to satisfy God's wrath against the sin of people. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. We can never make up for our sin by self-effort, self-improvement or good works. Salvation is God's free gift to us and is maintained through the grace and power of God. We must accept his gift through faith. The Bible teaches that we express our faith in Jesus Christ by believing, trusting & confessing him as our Lord & Savior, repenting of our self-directed life, and being baptized (immersed in water) into his name. John 1:12-13; 3:16; 10:29; 14:6; Romans 5:1, 8-9; 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8, 9; 2 Timothy 1:12;
Titus 3:5; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Acts 2:36-38

About Baptism

We believe that commitment to Christ in belief is to be accompanied by publicly identifying with Christ through baptism by immersion. Baptism, the immersion of a repentant believer in water, has from the beginning of the Church, been normative for believers. Persons who heard and believed the gospel, repented of their sins and confessed Jesus as their Lord & Savior were baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins. It is so meaningful to follow Jesus' example, obey his command, and express our saving faith in Christ's death, burial & resurrection today by being baptized into him! Matthew 3:13-17; 28:19; Acts 2:36-38

About Communion

We believe in the scriptural observance of communion. Communion is done in remembrance of the death, burial, and resurrection which Jesus accomplished on our behalf. We do not hinder any follower of Jesus Christ from participating in communion. I Corinthians 11:23-29

About the Unity of the Church

We believe that christian unity is the result of the fact that in reconciling us to himself, God joins us to one another by his Spirit. We are part of a movement of churches that are non-denominational and who have always desired to help the Church to be united together and strong in its commitment to the Bible alone as the Church's guide to faith & practice. Christian unity is not only a gift to be treasured, it is also a goal to be attained. While our lord has given us the gift of being one in the forgiveness of the cross, our goal is to attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ as we pursue unity in our faith & fellowship. In the essentials of the faith we strive for unity, in the non-essentials of the faith, we allow for diversity, and in all things, we strive to show love for each other in the Church! Ephesians 4:4-6; John 17:20-23

About the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

We believe in the bodily, visible return of Jesus Christ with and for His own to live with Him forever. We believe that, just as Christ did not claim to know when that day would be, we will make no claims to know when that day is either. But we will live life, love and worship God as a church, and be alert and prepared as if that day could happen anytime. For the sake of the unity and integrity of the church, we avoid arguments or statements over smaller detailed issues of this matter, such as which human interpretation of the book of Revelation is truest, or specific timelines and other such fads of human nature when it comes to the future of the world and our lives. Titus 2:13; Matthew 24:30-42; Revelation 22:12-13

About Satan

We believe that Satan is real. He is a spiritual entity who can speak to God and others, tempt people, plan and scheme against God's glory, and accuse believers. The Old Testament & New Testament both attest to the reality of Satan. Even Christ himself faced Satan. And as Christ overcame Satan's attacks, Jesus can help us in our struggle against the evil schemes and temptations we face as Christ's followers. Satan can lead anyone not committed to Christ (angelic beings or people) in warfare against God, His plans, and His people. But the scriptures promise that Satan and all who are with him are less powerful than Christ himself and are doomed to a certain, everlasting judgment from God. Genesis 3:22-24; Ezekiel 28:12-19; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:11-12; Revelation 12:7-9; 20:10

About Eternity

We believe that God's intention has always been to live with people eternally in a peaceful relationship with him. Through faith in Christ, we can live in that kind of relationship with him forever, even after we die! People were created to exist forever in one of two conditions. Those who have not accepted Christ will exist eternally separated from God, experiencing conscious separation & punishment in hell. Those who have accepted Christ will exist eternally with God in heaven, enjoying an everlasting relationship with him. The scriptures teach that Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. John 3:16; 5:28-29; 14:17; Romans 6:23; 8:17-18; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9; Revelation 20:15