Statement of Faith

The Word of God

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. Matt. 5:17, 18; II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21.

The Trinity

We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons; that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption. Matthew 3:16; 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; I Peter 1:2.

God the Father

We believe in God the Father, an infinite personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:18, 19; John 1:12; Romans 1:20; Ephesians 4:24; I John 5:7.

Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return according to the promises of God's Word. Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:34, 35; John 14:3, 4; Acts 1:11; I Corinthians 15:3, 4; II Corinthians 5:21; Matthew 24:30, 31; I Peter 2:24; Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:1, 2.

The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and the Son to convince the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide. Luke 24:49; John 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26; Acts 1:8; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13, 14; II Thessalonians 2:13.

Regeneration

We believe that all men are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 53:6; Matthew 10:32, 33; John 3:16; 5:24; Acts 3:19; Romans 3:10, 12, 23; 10:9, 10, 13; Ephesians 2:8, 9.

The Church

We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized in a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work, and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-42; 8:4; 9:31; 11:19-23; 15:40, 41; 16:4, 5; I Corinthians 11:23-29; Ephesians 5:23-32; I Thessalonians 1:5-10; Titus 1:5.

Christian Conduct

We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and the well-being of his fellow man; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; and that he should seek to realize for himself and others the full stature of maturity in Christ. Romans 6:19; 12:12; I Thessalonians 5:15-23; Hebrews 12:14; II Peter 3:18; Ephesians 4:13-16; 23, 24.

The Ordinances

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church, baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into the name of the triune God. We believe that the Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:1-20; Romans 6:1-12; I Corinthians 11:1-31; Colossians 2:12.

Religious Liberty

We believe that every human being may have fellowship with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by an ecclesiastical or political authority; that therefore Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other. Acts 4:19, 20; 5:29; Romans 12:1, 2; II Corinthians 5:10; Ephesians 2:18, 19; Galatians 5:13.

The Last Things

We believe in the personal imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal bliss of the righteous and the endless suffering of the wicked. Matthew 25:41; John 14:3, 4; Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:12-17; Revelation 20:15; 21:1-7, 23, 24.