WHAT WE BELIEVE

The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to men, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; Heb. 4:12).

The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, self-revealed “I AM,” and has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association, by simultaneously existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isa. 43:10, 11; Matt. 28:19).

Man was created good and upright, for God said, “Let us make man in our image and after our likeness.” Man, by voluntary transgression, sinned against God and became alienated from God through disobedience. As a result, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and choose to sin against God. Man is incapable of regaining a right relationship with God through his own efforts. His only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Gen. 1:26-31; Gen. 3:17; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12-21; Colossians 1:21; Isaiah 59:1-2).

The blood of Jesus, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation for men by providing sufficient payment for their sins. This Grace of God has appeared to all men, through the preaching of repentance toward God and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation occurs when man places his faith in the death and resurrection of Christ and is a gift that cannot be earned by man’s own efforts. (Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7; Matthew 1:21; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24; 14:6; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16-18; 3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 3:20; Titus 3:5, Galatians 3:26). Man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, and being justified by grace, has become heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 2:11; 3:5-7; Rom. 10:13-15; Luke 24:47). The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Rom. 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of holiness (1 Thess. 4:7, 2 Tim.1:9) and obedience to God through the power of the Holy Spirit (James 1:22; John 14:23; 1 John 5:3).

The ordinance of baptism by burial with Christ through immersion in water should be observed (as commanded in the Scriptures) by all that have repented of their sins and in their hearts have believed on Christ as their Savior and Lord. In doing so, they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they have also been released to walk with Him in newness of life (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4).

The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing in a memorial to His suffering and death, and a prophecy of His second coming, and is enjoined to all believers “until He comes” (John 6:48,51,53-57; Luke 22:19,20; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 Cor. 11:25).

All believers should ardently expect and earnestly seek the Promise of the Father, which is the baptism, filling, empowerment and fellowship with the Holy Spirit for life and service, and the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-31). These experiences may be distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the New Birth (Acts 2:38; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9).

By the power of the Holy Spirit we strive to obey the command, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” Sanctification is the will of God for all believers, and is a process that should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God’s Word (Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15, 16; 1 Thess. 5:23, 24; 1 John 2:6).

The church is the holy Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each true believer is an integral part of the church, and their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (I Thess. 2:4)

Divinely-called and Scripturally-ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a three-fold purpose: (1) The evangelization of the world, (2) The edification of the Body of Christ (Mark 16:15, 20; Eph. 4:11-13), and (3) The worship of God (1 Peter 2:5; Psalm 34:3).

The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation, together with those who are alive and remain unto the Lord, is imminent and is the blessed hope of the church – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 4:16; Rom. 6:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor. 15:51,52).

The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns fire and brimstone (“Hell”), which is the second death (Matt. 25:46; Rev. 19:20; 20:10-15).

We, as promised in the Scriptures, look for a new heavens and a new earth wherein righteousness dwells. Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will spend eternity with God (Matt. 25:46; John 3:16; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1).