Beliefs
The Bible
We believe the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete and final authority for Christian belief and behavior (II Tim. 3:16,17).
The Trinity
We believe in one God existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; eternal in Being; identical in nature; equal in power and glory; possessing the same attributes and perfections (Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14).
Jesus Christ
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is undiminished deity and perfect humanity, united in one Person forever (Jn. 1:14). He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary (Matt. 1:20, 23). He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice (Rom. 3:23-25; I Pet. 2:24), and rose bodily from the dead, providing assurance of our justification (Rom. 4:25). He then returned to heaven where at the right hand of the Father He is now our High Priest and Advocate (Heb. 7:25; 9:24).
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit ministers to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 16:14). He performs the work of regeneration (Tit. 3:5), baptizes believers into the Body of Christ (I Cor. 12:13), and indwells (I Cor. 6:19) and seals them unto the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30). Believers are to be filled with the Holy Spirit as a means to godly living (Eph. 5:18) and are to serve by exercising the gifts He distributes to build up the church (I Cor. 12:7).
Angels & Satan
We believe that God created angels, some of whom followed Satan in open rebellion against God. Angels serving God sustain a range of ministries under His direction (Heb. 1:14). Satan, a fallen angel, is a real person who is the enemy of God and man (Is. 14:12-20; I Pet. 5:8; Rev. 20:10). Though currently active, he is a defeated foe due to the completed work of Christ on the cross (Jn. 12:31; I Jn. 3:8), and is destined for eternal judgment in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10). Other fallen angels (demons) serve Satan in the advance of his cause (Eph. 6:11-12).
Mankind
We believe that man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is born totally depraved (Gen. 1:27; Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1). Unable to restore himself from his fallen condition, man is in need of regeneration by the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5). God provides salvation solely by grace through faith in Christ (Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8,9).
The Church
We believe that the Church, the Bride of Christ, is made up of all born-again persons of this age (I Cor. 12:12-13). Local churches are geographical representations of the Body of Christ (I Cor. 1:12; Rev. 2,3) and exist to make disciples throughout the world today.
The Second Coming
We believe that future events include a return of Jesus Christ for His Church (I Thess. 4:13-18), a period of tribulation on the earth (Rev. 6-19), and the literal return of Christ to this earth to establish His millennial kingdom (Rev. 19-20). Such truth should motivate holiness of life and devotion to service in all believers (II Pet. 3:10-14).
Our Resurrection
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, of believers to everlasting consciousness and joy with the Lord, of unbelievers to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment (Jn. 5:28; Rev. 20:11-15).