What We Believe

With respect to GOD, THE FATHER, we believe that He is the Creator, with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, of all things. And that He created the universe out of nothing, apart from any pre-existing materials. As sovereign over all things, He is currently involved in human history working His own will, purpose, and grace, so that all comes to His eventual glory. With respect to His character, He is perfect, infinite, and righteous in every way. The Father is one of three eternally existing persons of the Godhead: equal in power and identical in essence and character; however, distinct in personality and activity.

Representative verses: Genesis 1:1, Acts 14:15, Psalm 29:10, Ephesians 1:3-14, Leviticus 11:44, Psalm 19:9, 147:4-5, 1 John 4:8, Deuteronomy 6:4, 2 Corinthians 13:14.

With respect to JESUS CHRIST, THE SON, we believe that He is the incarnated Son of God; fully divine and fully human. And He became such through the historical, actual virgin birth; without surrendering any of His divine attributes. He lived a sinless life, thus being the appropriate sacrifice for mans sin. On the cross, redemption was accomplished by His substitutionary death. However, His physical, actual resurrection from the dead followed, rendering the ultimate defeat of sin and death. And imminently, He will visibly return to establish His earthly kingdom.

Representative verses: John 1:14, Colossians 2:9-10, Matthew 1:18-25, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15, Isaiah 53:4-6, 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Revelation 22:12.

With respect to GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, we believe He executes the will of the Father. He convicts of sin and regenerates at salvation; at which a once-for-all spiritual baptism occurs. Every genuine believer is endowed with spiritual gifts for personal ministry by Him. And He is available to continually fill any believer with His Spirit for living.

Representative verses: John 16:7-15, Titus 3:5, Romans 8:9-10, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 12:3-7, Galatians 5:16-25, Ephesians 5:18.

With respect to SCRIPTURE, THE BIBLE, we believe that both the Old and New Testaments are Gods Word to man. The Holy Spirit directed human authors by way of verbal, plenary inspiration thus producing inerrant original manuscripts. Therefore, the Scripture is infallible in all matters to which it speaks; whether with respect to history and science or faith and practice. As such, it is authoritative over mans life. It must be interpreted literally; taking into account figurative language and stylistic differences and respecting historical, grammatical, literary, and cultural aspects.

Representative verses: Psalm 119:89, 160, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Matthew 5:17-19, John 10:35, Hebrews 4:12.

With respect to the NATURE OF MAN, we believe that man was created in Gods image, innocent and without sin, enjoying perfect fellowship with Him and able to fulfill His will. However, by disobedience, man fell into sin; resulting in the sinful, fallen nature of all mankind throughout history. As such, all men are spiritually dead in sin and alienated from God.

Representative verses: Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, 3:1-6, Romans 5:12, 3:9-23, Ephesians 2:1-3.

With respect to SALVATION, we believe that man is saved only by Gods grace; quite apart from human effort or merit. Justification comes by faith alone in the substitutionary death and supernatural resurrection of Jesus Christ. At the point of belief, an individual is regenerated by the Holy Spirit and indwelt by Him; thus reconciling man to God. Likewise, every true believer immediately becomes a member of the church; Gods forever family. Each believer then enters a process of sanctification, whereby an ever-increasing conformity to Jesus Christ comes through righteous living and obedience to God.

Representative verses: Ephesians 2:9-10, Titus 3:4-7, John 14:6, Acts 4:22, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 5:10-11, 8:9, 8:16, 12:4-5, Galatians 2:20.

With respect to the CHURCH, we believe that all truly regenerated believers in Jesus Christ are members of the universal church. This is made visible as individuals unite to form autonomous, local church bodies. The goal of each church is to glorify God with the objectives of exalting Him in worship, edifying one another in fellowship, evangelizing the lost world, equipping one another in discipleship, and by exercising personal spiritual gifts in ministry service. With respect to the offices of the church, the church is to be governed through the plurality of elders and to be served by the ministry of deacons. The ordinances of the church are baptism by immersion and the Lords Supper; both of which are available only to professed believers in Jesus Christ.

Representative verses: Matthew 16:18, Romans 12:4, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 5:18-20, Hebrews 10:24-25, Matthew 28:19-20, Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 12-14, Acts 20:17, 20:28, 2:38, 8:12, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29.

With respect to FUTURE EVENTS, we believe in the personal, imminent return of Jesus Christ; after which He will establish His earthly kingdom. However, the exact timing and unfolding of these events is a mystery, known only to God the Father. At His return, all those not believing will be eternally separated from God in hell and all those believing will be eternally saved in heaven, and there reign with Christ.

Representative verses: 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18, 5:1-3, Matthew 24:36, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, John 14:1-3, 1 Peter 1:3-5.

If there is a theological issue on which you would like clarity, or is not addressed in this statement, please contact the church office. Our pastor, or one of our elders, would be happy to discuss that issue with you.

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