Our Beliefs: A Summary of the Content of Our Faith

1. The Bible - We believe that the Bible is God's word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God, it is truthful in all that it affirms and without error as originally given by God. The Bible is the supreme source of truth and final authority for Christian beliefs and living.

2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 12:6; 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5

2. God - We believe in God who is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are equal in every divine perfection and are indeed one God.

Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

3. The Human Race - We believe that as human beings we are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. As part of His good creation, God’s design for marriage is the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. Although we have tremendous potential for good, we are marred by a nature of disobedience toward God called sin. This condition separates us from God.

Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 8:3-6; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2

4. Jesus Christ - We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of God. He was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He rose again from the dead to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended into heaven and will return again to earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15;       Titus 2:13

5. Salvation - We believe that salvation is a gift from God to the human race. 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 we be saved from sin's penalty. Eternal life begins the moment a person receives Jesus Christ by faith.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12; 14;6; Titus 3:5; Galations 3:26; Romans 5:1

6. The Holy Spirit - We believe in the Holy Spirit who is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make us aware of our 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. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 14:16-17; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; 12:4-11; Galatians 5:22-23

7. The Church - We believe that the local church is a congregation of baptized believers who have associated themselves by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. In a more general sense, the universal church designates all whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Romans 16:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Philemon 2; Ephesians 1:22-23;      Colossians 1:18

8. Baptism - We believe that baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This represents the believer's death to the world, the washing of the soul from the pollution of sin, resurrection to the newness of life, the burial and resurrection of Christ, the believer's resurrection at Christ's second coming, and pledge to serve God.

Mark 1:9-13; John 3:23; Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4-5

9. The Lord's Supper - We believe that the Lord's Supper is a memorial commanded by Christ Himself in which the bread and cup represent His broken body and shed blood. The Christian is to observe it regularly, thoughtfully, thankfully and joyfully.

Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

10. Eternity - We believe that the human race was created to exist forever. Each one of us will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. We believe that God will judge all who have ever lived. The wicked will be condemned to eternal punishment while the righteous will be received into the fullness of eternal life and joy.

John 3:16; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15;   Matthew 25:46