Statement of Faith
We place our faith wholly in the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation believing in the teachings and practices of the Bible namely:
The Supreme Authority of the Bible
We believe that the Bible is the inerrant, inspired and infallible Word of God. We accept the Bible as our only rule of faith and practice. We believe that the Bible is the eternal Word of God and will never change or pass away (Mark 13:31). All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Throughout this document, the Bible may be referred to as the Word, the Word of God, or the Scriptures.
God the Father
We believe that God the Father is all-knowing, all-powerful, and everywhere at once. He has no beginning and will have no end. God is sovereign over all. He is the creator of all things which are seen, all things which are unseen, and time itself. He is perfect in all of His essence. He has an everlasting love for all people which is why He created us. He demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
Jesus Christ—God the Son
We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16). He was born to the virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38) and lived a perfect sinless life (1 Peter 2:21-22 and 2 Corinthians 5:20-21) that was filled with miraculous power. After serving in public ministry, He was rejected by His people, Israel, and was turned over to Rome to be crucified on a cross. He was placed in a borrowed tomb for 3 days. On the third day He rose from the dead and appeared to many before His ascension to Heaven where He now sits at the right hand of the Father ever making intercession for us (Romans 8:34 ).
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ paid for all of our sins and made salvation possible by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus was fully God and fully man (John 1:1,14 and Colossians 2:9) and is the only way to God (John 14:6).
God the Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of God in operation in us today. When Jesus said “I will not leave you as orphans,” He was promising to return but He was also promising that the Holy Spirit would come to teach and empower believers to be His witnesses in this world (John 14:18-26, Acts 1:8).
The Trinity
We believe that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are three distinct persons who are One. All three are equally God and worthy of worship and adoration. (Genesis 1:26, Matthew 1:23, 28:19, John 10:30, Acts 5:3-4, Romans 8:26-28, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Philippians 2:6, Colossians 2:9, Revelation 22:13)
Marriage and Sexuality
We believe that God created marriage to have only one meaning and that is the union of one man and one woman. God joins the man and woman in a single exclusive union as we see in scripture (Genesis 2:18-24, Mark 10:1-12). Marriage is an image of the relationship of Jesus with His Bride (the church). We are to enter into it reverently and purposefully. Divorce is a corruption of the relationship that God has ordained and is sin in the eyes of God. Any other union ordained by man is a corruption of what God set forth.
We believe that sexual intimacy is only to occur between a man and woman who are married to each other. Any other sexual act including: fornication, adultery, homosexual, bestiality, bisexuality, incest, pornography or any attempt to change one’s biological gender is sexual immorality and is sin (1 Corinthians 5:9-13, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, Leviticus 18:22). For our complete stance on marriage and sexuality see Appendix.
Heaven and Hell
We believe in a real Heaven and a real Hell (Matthew 25:14). This life is only a mist that is here for a little time and then vanishes (James 4:14). After this life has ended every person will face eternity in Heaven or Hell. People who have accepted the gift of salvation through Jesus will spend eternity in His presence in Heaven. Those that have rejected Him will spend eternity in torment and separation from our God in Hell (Romans 6:23, Matthew 13:50, 2 Thessalonians 1:9).
Creation
We believe that God created the universe, including the earth, as recorded in Genesis chapters 1 and 2. We take the words of the creation account literally. God spoke all things into existence. He then gave life to living things and it is in Him that we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).
Sanctity of Life
We believe that life begins at conception. Jesus is the author of life (Act 3:15) and so it is precious in his sight. The life of the unborn holds the same value as the life of those who are born. (Psalm 139:13, Luke 1:41)
Fall of Man
We believe that God created Adam and Eve on the sixth day of creation for perfect fellowship with Him (Genesis 1:26-27). Our enemy, Satan (who is a real being), appeared to Eve as a serpent and tempted her to break God’s one command and she took a bite of the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam then followed his wife and took a bite also. In breaking God’s command, sin entered their hearts and corrupted all creation which was subjected to futility (Romans 8:20). Our lives, which were intended to live forever, are now subjected to death as a penalty for sin and as a result of the curse (Genesis 3).
Confession of Sin and Repentance
We believe that when sin entered the world through Adam (Romans 5:17), the whole creation was subjected to futility (Romans 8:20). The consequence of sin was death and separation from God. Confession of sin and repentance are necessary for forgiveness of sin. (1 John 1:9, Acts 3:19, Acts 2:38, Acts 17:30, 2 Peter 3:9, James 4:8-10, 2 Corinthians 7:9-11, Matthew 3:2)
Salvation
Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The payment given for sin is death, eternal death which is separation from God in hell. While we were still sinners Jesus took on human flesh and died on the cross for mankind. In dying on the cross, Jesus took the payment for the sin of the world which was necessary for us to be reconciled to God. Because of His sacrifice, we can have eternal life in heaven with Him. The requirement for eternal life is to confess Him and to believe on Him as Lord and savior. It is by His grace and through our faith that we are saved from eternal damnation. (Romans 6:23. Romans 8:5, Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8-9)
Ordinances (symbolic reenactments of the Gospel message)
We practice the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Baptism—In Matthew 28:18-20 as Jesus was preparing to ascend He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age” (ESV).
We practice believer’s baptism. A person seeking baptism will meet with the pastor/elders to determine understanding of baptism and salvation. If evidence of salvation and understanding of baptism is demonstrated then we baptize through immersion (unless it is not possible), as an act of obedience, after a person has publicly professed faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We recognize the baptisms of other Evangelical churches.
The LORD’S Supper—In Matthew 26:26-28 Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. As Jesus and the disciples were eating. Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat, this is my body.” Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for man for the forgiveness of sins.”
We practice open communion which means you are not required to be a member to partake. The Bible warns that when we partake in an unworthy manner, we bring judgment on ourselves so we strongly encourage everyone to examine their hearts before partaking. (1 Corinthians 11:23-32)
Civil Government
We believe that there is no authority except from God and those that exist have been instituted by God (Romans 13:1). We believe that it is our responsibility, obligation and privilege to submit to government which God has put in place for our protection and service (Romans 13). God has called us to honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor (1 Peter 2:17). Jesus said to give to God what is God’s and give to Caesar what is Caesar’s (Mark 12:17). Our greatest loyalty is to Jesus Christ, so if there were ever a time in which civil government comes into opposition to God’s Word we are obliged to obey the Word of God without compromise (Acts 5:29). If we are ever in position in which civil disobedience is required we must do so with utmost respect and act as Christ because our trust is in Him and we understand that His will will be accomplished. We see this in the three Hebrew youth Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego who, in disobedience, never spoke in disrespect (Daniel 3). (1 Peter 2:13-17)
Supernatural Power and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
We believe that God loves us with an everlasting love and looks after the needs of His people. We believe that He answers prayer according to His will. We believe that when we ask, seek, and knock the door will be opened to us when we ask in His Name (Matthew 7:7-11, John 14:13-14).
We believe that the Gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12-14 are still in operation today. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us moves through believers in supernatural ways. He will continue to move until perfection comes (1 Corinthians 13:8-9).
We place our faith wholly in the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation believing in the teachings and practices of the Bible namely:
The Supreme Authority of the Bible
We believe that the Bible is the inerrant, inspired and infallible Word of God. We accept the Bible as our only rule of faith and practice. We believe that the Bible is the eternal Word of God and will never change or pass away (Mark 13:31). All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Throughout this document, the Bible may be referred to as the Word, the Word of God, or the Scriptures.
God the Father
We believe that God the Father is all-knowing, all-powerful, and everywhere at once. He has no beginning and will have no end. God is sovereign over all. He is the creator of all things which are seen, all things which are unseen, and time itself. He is perfect in all of His essence. He has an everlasting love for all people which is why He created us. He demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
Jesus Christ—God the Son
We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16). He was born to the virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38) and lived a perfect sinless life (1 Peter 2:21-22 and 2 Corinthians 5:20-21) that was filled with miraculous power. After serving in public ministry, He was rejected by His people, Israel, and was turned over to Rome to be crucified on a cross. He was placed in a borrowed tomb for 3 days. On the third day He rose from the dead and appeared to many before His ascension to Heaven where He now sits at the right hand of the Father ever making intercession for us (Romans 8:34 ).
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ paid for all of our sins and made salvation possible by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus was fully God and fully man (John 1:1,14 and Colossians 2:9) and is the only way to God (John 14:6).
God the Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of God in operation in us today. When Jesus said “I will not leave you as orphans,” He was promising to return but He was also promising that the Holy Spirit would come to teach and empower believers to be His witnesses in this world (John 14:18-26, Acts 1:8).
The Trinity
We believe that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are three distinct persons who are One. All three are equally God and worthy of worship and adoration. (Genesis 1:26, Matthew 1:23, 28:19, John 10:30, Acts 5:3-4, Romans 8:26-28, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Philippians 2:6, Colossians 2:9, Revelation 22:13)
Marriage and Sexuality
We believe that God created marriage to have only one meaning and that is the union of one man and one woman. God joins the man and woman in a single exclusive union as we see in scripture (Genesis 2:18-24, Mark 10:1-12). Marriage is an image of the relationship of Jesus with His Bride (the church). We are to enter into it reverently and purposefully. Divorce is a corruption of the relationship that God has ordained and is sin in the eyes of God. Any other union ordained by man is a corruption of what God set forth.
We believe that sexual intimacy is only to occur between a man and woman who are married to each other. Any other sexual act including: fornication, adultery, homosexual, bestiality, bisexuality, incest, pornography or any attempt to change one’s biological gender is sexual immorality and is sin (1 Corinthians 5:9-13, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, Leviticus 18:22). For our complete stance on marriage and sexuality see Appendix.
Heaven and Hell
We believe in a real Heaven and a real Hell (Matthew 25:14). This life is only a mist that is here for a little time and then vanishes (James 4:14). After this life has ended every person will face eternity in Heaven or Hell. People who have accepted the gift of salvation through Jesus will spend eternity in His presence in Heaven. Those that have rejected Him will spend eternity in torment and separation from our God in Hell (Romans 6:23, Matthew 13:50, 2 Thessalonians 1:9).
Creation
We believe that God created the universe, including the earth, as recorded in Genesis chapters 1 and 2. We take the words of the creation account literally. God spoke all things into existence. He then gave life to living things and it is in Him that we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).
Sanctity of Life
We believe that life begins at conception. Jesus is the author of life (Act 3:15) and so it is precious in his sight. The life of the unborn holds the same value as the life of those who are born. (Psalm 139:13, Luke 1:41)
Fall of Man
We believe that God created Adam and Eve on the sixth day of creation for perfect fellowship with Him (Genesis 1:26-27). Our enemy, Satan (who is a real being), appeared to Eve as a serpent and tempted her to break God’s one command and she took a bite of the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam then followed his wife and took a bite also. In breaking God’s command, sin entered their hearts and corrupted all creation which was subjected to futility (Romans 8:20). Our lives, which were intended to live forever, are now subjected to death as a penalty for sin and as a result of the curse (Genesis 3).
Confession of Sin and Repentance
We believe that when sin entered the world through Adam (Romans 5:17), the whole creation was subjected to futility (Romans 8:20). The consequence of sin was death and separation from God. Confession of sin and repentance are necessary for forgiveness of sin. (1 John 1:9, Acts 3:19, Acts 2:38, Acts 17:30, 2 Peter 3:9, James 4:8-10, 2 Corinthians 7:9-11, Matthew 3:2)
Salvation
Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The payment given for sin is death, eternal death which is separation from God in hell. While we were still sinners Jesus took on human flesh and died on the cross for mankind. In dying on the cross, Jesus took the payment for the sin of the world which was necessary for us to be reconciled to God. Because of His sacrifice, we can have eternal life in heaven with Him. The requirement for eternal life is to confess Him and to believe on Him as Lord and savior. It is by His grace and through our faith that we are saved from eternal damnation. (Romans 6:23. Romans 8:5, Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8-9)
Ordinances (symbolic reenactments of the Gospel message)
We practice the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Baptism—In Matthew 28:18-20 as Jesus was preparing to ascend He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age” (ESV).
We practice believer’s baptism. A person seeking baptism will meet with the pastor/elders to determine understanding of baptism and salvation. If evidence of salvation and understanding of baptism is demonstrated then we baptize through immersion (unless it is not possible), as an act of obedience, after a person has publicly professed faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We recognize the baptisms of other Evangelical churches.
The LORD’S Supper—In Matthew 26:26-28 Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. As Jesus and the disciples were eating. Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat, this is my body.” Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for man for the forgiveness of sins.”
We practice open communion which means you are not required to be a member to partake. The Bible warns that when we partake in an unworthy manner, we bring judgment on ourselves so we strongly encourage everyone to examine their hearts before partaking. (1 Corinthians 11:23-32)
Civil Government
We believe that there is no authority except from God and those that exist have been instituted by God (Romans 13:1). We believe that it is our responsibility, obligation and privilege to submit to government which God has put in place for our protection and service (Romans 13). God has called us to honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor (1 Peter 2:17). Jesus said to give to God what is God’s and give to Caesar what is Caesar’s (Mark 12:17). Our greatest loyalty is to Jesus Christ, so if there were ever a time in which civil government comes into opposition to God’s Word we are obliged to obey the Word of God without compromise (Acts 5:29). If we are ever in position in which civil disobedience is required we must do so with utmost respect and act as Christ because our trust is in Him and we understand that His will will be accomplished. We see this in the three Hebrew youth Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego who, in disobedience, never spoke in disrespect (Daniel 3). (1 Peter 2:13-17)
Supernatural Power and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
We believe that God loves us with an everlasting love and looks after the needs of His people. We believe that He answers prayer according to His will. We believe that when we ask, seek, and knock the door will be opened to us when we ask in His Name (Matthew 7:7-11, John 14:13-14).
We believe that the Gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12-14 are still in operation today. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us moves through believers in supernatural ways. He will continue to move until perfection comes (1 Corinthians 13:8-9).