Our Beliefs

The Bible, in its original autographs, is the divinely inspired Word of God. It is infallible and inerrant, revealing God and His will in the Old and New Testaments. It is not the privilege of men to add to or subtract from any of its words or teachings. The New Testament is God’s further and final written revelation to man. Its authority supersedes all other revelations, insights, and counsels. Ps 119:105; Mark 13:31; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Rev 22:18-19

There is one eternal, self-existent God who exists in the perfect oneness of the Trinity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is perfect and glorious in all His attributes; the heavens and earth are full of His glory. Gen 1:1; Deut 4:35, 39, 6:4; Matt 28:19; 1 Tim 1:17; 1 John 5:6-7

He is the first person of the Trinity, the invisible, unbegotten Father of whom are all things. He is the source of every good and perfect gift and in Him is no variableness or shadow of turning. For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen. Rom 11:36; 1 Cor 8:6; Eph 1:3; James 1:17

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the eternal Word of God and is equal with the Father. He became incarnate through the miraculous conception of the Holy Spirit, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, suffered and died for the sins of all humanity, and was resurrected from the dead. Being both fully divine and fully human, His work is entirely satisfying to God and eternally sufficient for the redemption of mankind. Isa 7:14, 53:11; Luke 1:35, 24:1-7; John 1:1-3, 14; 1 Cor 15:20; Col 2:9; 1 Tim 2:5-6; Heb 1:1-3; 1 Peter 2:22-24

He is the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, and the Breath of God. He comes to convict of sin, quicken the spiritually dead, indwell the saints and enable the believer to live a holy life. He equips His people with gifts for the work of the ministry and brings them into the image and glory of Jesus Christ. He is the earnest of our inheritance. John 14:26, 16:7-14; Ac 1:8, 2:1-40; 1 Cor 12:4-11; Eph 1:14, 4:1-16

In the beginning, by His word, God created the heaven and the earth in six literal days. He created all things for His pleasure and called it very good. He made man in His own image with a free will. Gen 1:1-31; Ex 20:11; Neh 9:6; John 1:1-10; Col 1:16-17; Rev 4:11

Adam, the first man, enjoyed unbroken fellowship with God until he sinned through disobedience. By Adam’s sin death came into the world. Man, as a sinner, is self-centered, darkened in heart and mind, not seeking after God, dead in sins, and unable to redeem himself. Gen 3:1-24; Ps 14:2-3; Rom 3:10-18, 23, 5:12,19; Eph 2:5

Jesus shed His blood, died as our substitute on the cross at Calvary, and paid the ransom for sin. He was resurrected from the dead, ascended to heaven triumphant over death, and is seated at the right hand of the Father as our intercessor. He gave himself as the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God! The sinless Christ was made to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. Isa 53:4-6; John 3:16; 2 Cor 5:21; Col 1:20-22; Heb 7:25, 9:11-14; 1 Pet 3:18

Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ and is freely granted by God to all who believe in Jesus, repent of their sins, and are baptized. As this gift is received, the believer is made a new creature in Christ Jesus. John 3:3-7; Rom 6:1-7, 10:9-10; 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 2:8-10

On the merits of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God forgives the sinner, counts his faith as righteousness, and receives him as His child. The forgiven sinner is completely acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Ac 13:38-39; Rom 3:24-26, 4:5-8, 5:1-2; 1 Cor 6:11; Phil 3:9

For His own holy purposes, God sets the believer apart. This is both a position in Christ and a progression in holiness of life for the child of God. John 17:17-19; 2 Cor 7:1; 2 Thess 2:13-14; 2 Tim 2:21; 1 Peter 1:2, 15-16

Salvation culminates in the promise that the redeemed will be fully conformed to the image of Christ when they are ushered into the presence of God. Rom 8:17-30; 1 Cor 15:40-54; Phil 3:21; Col 3:4; 1 John 3:2-3; Rev 22:5

Upon confession of faith in Jesus Christ and His redemptive work, the repentant sinner is commanded to be immersed in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit for the remission of sins through the blood of Jesus Christ. Water baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God and represents our death to sin, burial of the old man, and resurrection to new life. Matt 28:19; Mark 16:16; Ac 2:38, 10:44-48; Rom 6:3-6; Col 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21

The church consists of those who are born again and who continue to walk in faith and obedience to the Word of God. It is the pillar and ground of the truth, and the body of Christ, of which He is the head. While the church is both invisible and universal, yet it is clearly to be experienced and portrayed in a visible manner in a local, congregational setting. Eph 1:22-23, 2:19-22; Col 1:18; 1 Tim 3:15; 1 John 1:7

Within the church, God has given specific leadership roles. Some men are called to serve as elders, ministers, or deacons, and they are expected to shepherd God’s people, to care for the flock, to teach the Word, to administer ordinances, and to be examples of the believers. In all things, they are to diligently and tenderly care for the saints, as Jesus taught and lived. 1 Cor 14:29-32; Eph 4:11-16; Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4

Christ commanded the church to take the Gospel to the world, make disciples of all men, teach them to walk in obedience to him, and minister to the needs of all people. Ps 96:3; Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Ac 26:16-18; 2 Tim 4:5

Jesus instituted the bread and cup as emblems of His broken body and shed blood. These emblems are to be shared by congregated believers in close communion with the Lord and with each other in a time of sober reflection and joyous expression of Christ’s redemptive work. The Lord’s Supper, distinguished from the communion, is a common meal; yet it is to be observed within the same setting in accord with the Biblical record and early church history. Matt 26:26-28; John 13:1-30; 1 Cor 10:16-21, 11:20-26

Jesus taught both by example and by commandment that feet-washing is a symbol of brotherhood, service, cleansing, and humility, and should be observed literally. John 13:3-17; 1 Tim 5:10

The holy kiss is to be practiced as an expression of Christian love and commitment among the believers, brother with brother, and sister with sister. Rom 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:12; I Thess 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14

The head of every man is Christ and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God. Though created of equal value before God, Scripture teaches that man and woman are designed for and ordained to uniquely different roles and responsibilities. This order is to be respected and honored. In recognition and acceptance of this relationship, when praying or prophesying a man’s head is to be uncovered and a woman’s head is to be covered (veiled). 1 Cor 11:1-16; Eph 5:23; 1 Tim 2:11-15; 1 Peter 3:1-7

Anointing with oil, accompanied by the prayer of faith, is honored by God in the forgiveness of sins and the healing of sickness, in accordance with His will. James 5:14-15

Marriage is instituted by God to be the union of one man and one woman for life. According to our Lord’s instruction, remarriage after divorce is forbidden if there is a living, former spouse. Believers should marry only in the Lord. Gen 2:21-24; Matt 5:31-32, 19:4-9; Mark 10:6-12; Rom 7:2-3; 1 Cor 7:39; Heb 13:4

Earthly governments and the kingdom of heaven are separate entities ordained of God. Christ clearly taught that His kingdom is now in the hearts of believers and is to be distinguished from the kingdom of this world. Citizens of Christ’s kingdom are to refrain from political involvement, living separate from the world’s value system. Believers are called to obey earthly governments where their laws do not conflict with the laws of God and are to honor and pray for earthly authorities. Luke 17:21; John 17:14-16; Rom 13:1-7; 1 Tim 2:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-17

One who is conformed to Jesus Christ will be non-conformed to this world. God desires His people to live as strangers and pilgrims in this world, seeking a city not made with hands, eternal in the heaven. As such, modest lifestyles are to be reflected in the life of believers as they purpose to avoid the entanglements of worldly fashion or adornment, carnal entertainment and amusement, and the pursuit of material wealth. Rom 12:1-2; 2 Cor 6:14-7:1; 2 Tim 2:4; Heb 11:8-16; James 4:4; 1 Peter 2:11; 1 John 2:15-17

Followers of Jesus should not take part in the destruction of human life for any reason nor in any acts of retaliation. Instead, they should live in a defenseless manner, demonstrating the love of Christ toward their fellow man, and their dependence upon God. Matt 5:39-46; Luke 6:27-31; John 13:34-35, 18:36; Rom 12:17-21, 13:10; 1 Peter 2:19-23

In accordance with Jesus’ teaching, his followers are to speak the truth in love, swearing not at all. Matt 5:33-37; Eph 4:15; James 5:12

Jesus has an intense desire that His church be of one accord and of one mind in Him. Out of this harmony will flow a visible demonstration to the unbelieving world of our union with Him. When questions arise regarding practical application of Biblical principle, His people are to prayerfully seek the mind of the Spirit, consider relevant Scriptures, and submit to each other in love in reaching agreement. John 13:34-35, 17:20-23; Ac 15:1-31; Rom 14:15-19, 15:5-6; 1 Cor 1:10; 2 Cor 13:11; Eph 4:1-6; Phil 1:27, 2:1-3; 1 Peter 3:8

When trespasses and offenses occur in the church, a patient attempt at restoration should be undertaken in accordance with Scriptural teaching. If a brother or sister remains unrepentant, the assembled church, after much forbearance, removes them from fellowship in the spirit of love. Upon a change of heart, a sincerely repentant individual is to be joyfully received back into fellowship. Matt 18:10-17; 1 Cor 5:1-13; 2 Cor 2:7-8, 6:14

The glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ, when the redeemed are to be gathered to Him eternally, has been the hope of the saints in all ages. His return will be heralded with a shout, the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God, culminating with the gathering of the faithful, both dead and living. 1 Thess 4:16-17; Titus 2:13; Rev 22:20

Each soul will give an account of himself to God and shall be individually judged, for it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. The righteous will be resurrected to life eternal and the unrighteous will be banished to everlasting punishment. Matt 25:46; Rom 14:11-12; Heb 9:27; Rev 20:11-15

Created upright by God in the angelic realm, Lucifer rebelled and became Satan, the adversary of God and man; as such, he is now working in the world as the prince of the power of the air. He continually attempts to thwart the plan of God, enticing and tempting man to turn from God. His judgment was secured by Christ’s death and resurrection, and he will ultimately meet his eternal damnation in the lake of fire. Isa 14:12-15; Matt 4:3-11; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:1-2, 6:12; Heb 2:14; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 3:8; Rev 12:9-10, 20:10

Anticipating an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled and never-fading, the redeemed look forward to a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. There, forever in the presence of the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb, all things will become new. Rom 8:18-23; 1 Cor 15:24-26; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev 21:1-27; Rev 22:1-21