What we believe …
About the Bible
All Scripture including the Old and New Testament is without error (inerrant). As such, Scripture has the final authority to govern our life, beliefs, and practice. The Bible is also sufficient, complete, and true in what it teaches.
(Exodus 19:1-6; Matthew 5-8; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
About God
God is one in divine essence (nature) and exists in three Persons. These three Persons—Father, Son, Spirit are co-equal and co-eternal with respect to divine nature and attributes. God is infinite, self-sufficient, sovereign, holy, love, immutable, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, faithful/true, righteous/just, gracious, merciful, good, wise, and glorious.
(Job 12:13; 42:2; Psalm 34:8; 89:14; Isaiah 6:1-13; 48:9-11; 55:8-9; Jeremiah 23:23-24; Lamentations 3:22-23; Daniel 4:34-35; Malachi 3:6; Matthew 28:19-20; John 5:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 4:13; 4:16; 1 John 4:7-12)
About Creation
God created the universe out of nothing. Creation testifies to God’s greatness, glory, and power. Angels were created by God and will be held morally accountable. Satan and demons are fallen angels. Humans have a body and soul/spirit and were originally created without sin. Because all human beings are created in God’s image everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Our innate desire for truth, justice, fulfillment, and spiritual intimacy can only be satisfied through a relationship with Jesus through the gospel.
(Genesis 1:1; 1:31; 2:7; Job 33:4; Psalm 19:1-6; 148:2, 5; Colossians 1:16; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 20:7-10)
About Sin
All human beings are sinners and fall short of God’s holy standard. From Adam, we have inherited a sinful nature, guilt, and corruption. Sin separates us from God and places us under His judgment. Only the gospel addresses our need for reconciliation, forgiveness, and renewal.
(Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 2:6; 3:9-20; 3:23; 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 John 3:4)
About Jesus
Jesus is fully God and fully human. Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, Jesus lived a perfect life without sin. He atoned for our sins, reconciled, and redeemed us. Jesus physically resurrected from the dead, ascended to heaven, and will return to the judge the world.
(Matthew 25:31-46; 28:1-10; John 1:1-14; Luke 1:26-38; 2:52; John 15:10; Acts 1:1-11; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; 5:21; Galatians 3:13; Colossians 1:12-14; Hebrews 9:26; 1 John 4:10; Revelation 19:11-20:15)
About Salvation
Christ alone saves. The gospel is the power of God for salvation. We are saved by God’s grace through faith. Christians are justified (declared righteous) on the basis of Christ’s righteousness, reconciled, and forgiven. Christians cannot lose their salvation. Our good works do not contribute to our salvation; they testify to the genuineness of our faith.
(John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 1:16; 3:25-26; 5:10; Ephesians 2:8-10; Colossians 2:13-14; James 2:26)
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is divine. The Spirit glorifies the Son, mediates the presence of God, and transforms us (sanctification). The Spirit indwells, enlightens, provides truth, convicts, guides, empowers, intercedes, and develops Christ-like characteristics. He also places us into our spiritual community and dispenses a variety of spiritual gifts to edify and serve one another.
(Psalm 139:7-10; John 14:15-31; 15:18-16:16; Romans 8:18-27; 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 12:8-10; 12:12-26, 28; 14:12; Galatians 5:16-17, 22-23; Ephesians 5:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 9:14)
About the Church
The Church is a gathering of God’s people. The purposes of the church include worship, teaching, prayer, edification, community, gospel proclamation, and serving. Elders are the spiritual leaders of the church. We are called to make disciples of all nations, exercise church discipline, and administer the sacraments of baptism and communion.
(Matthew 18:15-17; 28:19-20; Acts 2:38-47; 20:28-29; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Titus 1:5-9)
About the Future
When a believer dies, he/she is immediately ushered into heaven, the very presence of God. When an unbeliever dies, he/she is immediately punished for their sins (tormented while awaiting their final judgment). Hell is a place/spiritual experience where unbelievers will be consciously and eternally punished. At the return of Christ, our souls are reunited with our bodies. Believers receive glorified bodies (immortal, perfect) and the wicked receive their final judgment (hell).
(Matthew 18:8; 25:30-46; Luke 16:19-31; 23:39-43; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Revelation 20:11-15)