We believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21; John 17:17).
The Godhead
We believe in one God eternally existing in three equal persons Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who have the same nature and attributes but who are distinct in office and activity (Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14).
The Person And Work Of Christ
Jesus Christ is the eternal Second Person of the Trinity who was united forever with a true human nature by a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father and voluntarily atoned for the sins of all by dying on the cross as their substitute. His act of obedience satisfied divine justice and accomplishes salvation for all who trust in Him alone. He rose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which He lived and died. He ascended into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of the Father, where He, the only Mediator between God and man, continually makes intercession for His own. He shall come again to earth, personally and visibly, to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. (Hebrews 1:3; 3:1; 7:23-5; I John 2:1-2).
The Person And Work Of The Holy Spirit
We believe that God the Holy Spirit is a person who restrains evil in the world and convicts men of sin. He also regenerates those who receive Christ as Savior, baptizes them into the Church, the body of Christ, indwells in them permanently, seals them to the day of redemption, and gives spiritual gifts to each one for the up-building of the body. The Holy Spirit guides and guards believers in understanding and applying scripture. This makes it possible for the believer to lead a life of Christ-like character and to bear fruit to the glory of God. (John 3.8, 14:16-17, 16:7-11; I Corinthians 3. 16, 6:19-20, 12:4-11,13; Ephesians 4:30; 5:18; Romans 8:4-8).
Creation
We believe God created all things in heaven and earth, which exist by His power (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16-17). We believe that man was created innocent and in the image and likeness of God but that he sinned bringing both physical and spiritual death to himself and his posterity. We believe that man has inherited a sinful nature, is alienated from God, and is in need of salvation (Genesis 1:27; 2:17; 3:19; Ephesians 2:1-3).
Salvation
We believe that salvation is a gift of God and is received by man through personal faith in Jesus Christ. We believe that man is justified by grace through faith apart from works (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-10). We believe that all true believers, once saved, are kept secure in Christ forever (Romans 8:1; 33-39; John 5:24, 10:27-30; Philippians 1.6). When God has begun a saving work in the heart of any person, He gives assurance in His Word that He will continue performing it until the day of its full consummation.
Sanctification
We believe that the Holy Spirit sets apart believers to do Gods work. However, each believer retains his sinful nature and has need for daily purification. This can be appropriated through prayer, the study of Gods Word and the fellowship with other believers. (II Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 10:10, 14).
The Church
We believe that the Church, the body and bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism, made up of all born-again persons. Christ is the head of the visible church where believers gather to worship, study of the Word, observe baptism and the Lords Supper, fellowship, and evangelize. (Ephesians 1:22-23, 4: 11-13, 5:23, 25-27, 1 Corinthians 1.2, 12: 12-28, Acts 2.42-47, Matthew 28: 19-20)
Human Destiny And The Eternal State
Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. For all mankind, there will be a resurrection of the body into the spiritual world and a judgment that will determine the fate of each individual. Unbelievers will be separated from God into condemnation forever. Believers will be received into eternal communion with God and will be rewarded for work done in this life. (II Thessalonians 1:6-9; Revelation 20:11-15)
