Summary of Beliefs
(this is an abbreviated list of our basic beliefs)
The Bible
The 66 books that make up the Bible are the authoritative words of God. The Bible is inerrant (without error), clear, and is sufficient for everything that pertains to life and godliness. It is to be believed in all it teaches, obeyed in all that it commands, and trusted in all that it promises.
God
There is only one eternal God who exists in three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (this is known as the Trinity).
God is perfect and His nature defines true holiness, justice, goodness, and love. God has decreed everything that comes to pass as He freely and unchangeably exerts His sovereign rule over all things according to His own eternal, wise, and holy purpose.
God created everything in the heavens and on the earth in six literal days.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He was sent to earth to bring salvation to mankind. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. On earth he was both fully God and fully man. He lived a perfect life, died on a cross to pay for the sins of his people and rose from the dead. After his resurrection he ascended into heaven.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the eternal Spirit of God, who glorifies Jesus Christ in all that he does. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He calls men to Jesus Christ, causes regeneration, and spiritually unities believers to the body of Christ. He indwells, guides, equips, and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service. He leads true Christians to persevere in the faith until the day of final redemption.
Mankind
Humans were created personally by God in His own image as the highest and ruling order of His creation. The first two humans were created innocent, but they chose to disobey God and sin. This sin infected the entire human race, and now all humans are sinners by nature and all humans choose to sin.
Sin is a violation of God’s law and every human being is guilty of disobeying God in their thoughts, words, and actions. The penalty for sin is eternal death and all humans deserve to be punished forever in hell.
Salvation
Jesus Christ’s death on the cross accomplished eternal salvation for his people. He died as their substitute, paying for their sin, and satisfying the justice of God. His death and resurrection gave forgiveness, justification, redemption, reconciliation, and transformation to his children.
People are saved, transformed and adopted by God when the Holy Spirit changes their heart and leads them to repent and put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. People are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Because of the transforming power of Jesus death and resurrection, and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, true believers have been freed from their slavery to sin, given new spiritual life, and are led to perform good works and live Christ-like lives. All believers still struggle with sin, but they will give evidence of their salvation through their changed lives.
The Church
The true, universal church is made up of every man and women who has put their faith in Christ alone for salvation, and has been transformed by God’s grace. The universal church is manifest in autonomous local congregations.
A local church teaches the word of God; encourages, supports, and disciplines its members; and observes the ordinances of Baptism and Communion. Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, that symbolizes the believer’s union with Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Communion is a symbolic act whereby believers partake of bread and juice to remember and proclaim Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death.
The two offices in a local church are pastors and deacons. While men and women are equal in value and worth, and both are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by scripture.
The mission of the church is to glorify God and make disciples of all nation.
The Future
At the end of time God will judge the world and all those who have not repented and believed in Jesus will be punished for all eternity in hell, while those who have turned to Jesus as their Lord and Savior will spend eternity in heaven with God.