Doctrinal Statement

THE SCRIPTURES

We believe that the Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments are wholly inspired by God such that the human authors wrote exactly what God wanted them to write as they were “carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet.1:21). The Scriptures are without error in their original manuscripts. They point us to Jesus who is the final authority in our life, faith and practice. (Psalm 119:160; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 1:1-2, 4:12; Eph 3:12)

GOD

We believe there is but one living and true God who is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable. We further believe that God is one in essence while existing in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Though each person of the Godhead possesses precisely the same nature and attributes, each functions differently in respect to God’s purposes and dealings with man. (Deuteronomy 4:39; 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14) THE FATHER… The first person of the Trinity orders and directs all things according to His own purpose, pleasure, and grace. The Father is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption. He has decreed all things that come to pass for His own glory. He graciously involves Himself in the affairs of men, hears and answers prayer, and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (2 Chronicles 29:11; Psalm 103:19; Matthew 6:9; John 5:19-24; Ephesians 1:2-6)

THE SON

The second person of the Trinity is both the eternal Son of God and virgin-born Son of man. Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, surrendered nothing of His deity during His earthly life. Having led a sinless life, He satisfied the Father’s justice concerning sin by His substitutionary death. We believe in His bodily resurrection, His physical ascension and His visible return to earth to establish His earthly kingdom. (John 1:14-18; Acts 1:11; Romans 3:24-26; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 2:17-18; Revelation 20:11-15)

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The third person of the Trinity executes the will of God in the world of men. It is the Holy Spirit who applies the salvation that Jesus Christ secured through His death on the cross. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. It is the Holy Spirit who empowers the church to live a lifestyle pleasing to God, endowing it with special gifts which equip believers to accomplish distinct ministries, planned beforehand by God the Father. (John 3:1-8; 15-16; 16:4-15; 1 Corinthians 12; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 1:13-14; 5:18-21)

MANKIND

We believe that God has created all of humanity in His image as male and female. Therefore, they are unique, special, a high value to God, and must be treated with the utmost dignity and respect. (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4; Mark 10:6; Psalm 139:13; Acts 17:22-31; Galatians 3:25-29; Ephesians 2:11-22; James 2:1; Rev 5)

SIN

We believe that all people are sinners by nature and by choice, falling short of God’s Glory. Sin is not only what we do, but who we are apart from Christ, resulting in separation from God and brokenness in the world. No amount of moral effort can remove sin’s power. Our only hope is the saving work of Jesus, who delivers us from the penalty and power of sin and restores us to ONEness with God. (Romans 3:23, Psalm 51:5, Isaiah 59:2, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 6:22-23)

SALVATION

We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins as the only sufficient, substitutionary sacrifice. All who believe in Him are declared justified by the Father on the grounds of Jesus’ death and resurrection. All who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by grace through faith have been regenerated by and baptized in the Holy Spirit. They become, thereby, the children of God, forever, and members of the one true church, the universal Body of Christ. This salvation will result in righteous living and good works as the believer submits their life to the control of the Holy Spirit who directs the life of the believer in harmony with the Word of God. (John 1:12; 3:16; 5:24; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:21-26; 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-7; Hebrews 10:10-12; 1 John 5:11-13)

THE CHURCH

We believe that all who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit belong to the one true universal church and are directed by the Scriptures to associate themselves in local, visible churches. The local church is the only scriptural representation of Christ’s invisible Church and consists only of regenerated believers. The local church is autonomous in its government and recognizes its own members for the biblical offices of elder and deacon. The purpose of the church is to lead others to Christ, mature them in the faith, and equip them for personal ministry. (Matthew 16:13-28; 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-47; 4:1-16; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Ephesians 2:19-22; 4:11-13; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Peter 5:1-3)

SACRAMENTS (BAPTISM AND COMMUNION):

We believe that Jesus gave His Church two sacred practices—Baptism and Communion—as visible signs of the gospel. Baptism is a public declaration that we belong to Him and have been raised to walk in the newness of life. Communion is a regular rhythm of remembrance and hope, where believers reflect on Christ’s broken body and shed blood and proclaim His saving work together. These practices do not save us, but they strengthen our faith, unite the church, and point us again to Jesus. (Matt 28:19-20, Romans 6:3-4, 1 Cor 11:23–26, 1 Cor 10:16–17, Colossians 2:12)

FUTURE

We believe that prophetic scriptures teach the imminent return of Jesus Christ. (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) We believe the second coming of Christ will occur in a bodily, visible manner with great glory. (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28; Revelation 20:1-4)