Our Beliefs
He is 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 the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again some day to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Matthew 1:22, 23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5, 14:10-30, Hebrews 4:14, 15, 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4, Romans 1:3, 4, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Timothy 6:14, 15, Titus 2:13
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 of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift, or gifts, when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. 2 Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:1; 6, Ephesians 1:13, 5:18, Galatians 5:25
Human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian belief and living. Because God inspires it, the Bible is the truth without any mixture of error. 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20, 21, Psalm 119:105, 160; 12:6, Proverb 30:5
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 attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. Genesis 1:27, Psalm 8:3-6, Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1, 2, Romans 3:23
We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be born again, 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
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, 2 Timothy 1:12, Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14, 1 Peter 1:3-5
We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God exists in Hell. To be eternally in union with Him exists in Heaven. John 2:25, 3:16, 5:11-13, Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:15, Matthew 1:8, 2:44, 46
We have a real enemy - the Devil. When we become believers, our enemy does not cease his activity. Therefore, we recognize the armor of God as our protection from Satan and his demons. As believers, we have authority in Christ over all forces of evil. Ephesians 6:10-18, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, John 10:10, Luke 4:18-19, 9:1, 10:17-19
It is typically best to keep this area short and to the point so it isn't too overwhelming. The universal church is made up of all born again believers. The local church is comprised of born again believers who have joined together, as the Body of Christ, to serve God. The two ordnances of the church are believer's baptism by emersion and the Lord's Supper. Acts 2:41-47, Luke 4:18-19, Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12-14, 1 Peter 4:10-11, Ephesians 4:11-21, 1 Corinthians 11:23-34, Matthew 28:18-20
Baptism is a necessary step of obedience for every follower of Jesus Christ. Even Jesus submitted to baptism to “fulfill all righteousness.” Baptism symbolizes what has already happened in the hearts of new believers. After Jesus gave His life on the cross, He was buried and then later raised from the dead as a new person. In baptism, we too are symbolically buried in a grave of water and come out of the water as a new person. Our old self, the person we were before we met Jesus, is dead. Baptism is also a public statement of commitment, similar to a marriage ceremony. Through baptism, we are declaring to the world that we believe in Jesus Christ and have surrendered our lives to Him as our Lord and Savior.
See Matthew 3:13-16, 10:32, 33 and Romans 6:3-11, 10:9, 10.
Guiding Factors
Giving in and giving out God's love.
- 1 John 3:18: “Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth.”
- 1 John 4:16: “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in him. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.”
- 1 John 5:2, 3: “We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. Loving God means keeping his commandments.”
Understanding our culture
- 1 Corinthians 9:19-22: “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible . . . I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” Investing in individuals
- 1 Thessalonians 2:8: “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”
Developing people doctrinally.
- 1 Timothy 4:16: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Preserve in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Integrating believers in ministry.
- 1 Corinthians 12:27: “Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.”
Nurturing authentic relationships.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
Giving excellence in all we do.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God.”
Affilliations
