What We Believe

The Bible, comprised of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is inspired by God and is the only authoritative written revelation from God to humanity. The Bible is infallible and the trustworthy and reliable rule of faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21).

There is only one true God–revealed in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity).

In the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God’s son, Jesus was both human and divine. The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God.

When Adam and Eve chose not to obey God, (Gen. 3:6)they ceased to be what they were made to be and became distorted images of God. This caused them to fall out of fellowship with God, and fractured all of creation ever since that time. Sin separated humanity from God (Eph. 2:11-18) and left humanity in a fallen, or sinful, condition (Rom. 3:23).

Jesus Christ came to reconcile us with God. He lived a life without sin and willingly died on the cross to pay the penalty for our transgressions. God raised him from the dead and now, by grace, offers as a free gift eternal life to all who follow Christ, by faith, as their Lord and Savior. Every person can have restored fellowship with God through "salvation" (accepting Christ’s offer of forgiveness for sin.)

The Holy Spirit is given to every follower of Christ to help us obey Jesus, teach us, give us peace and comfort, and convict us. The nine fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) are by-products of a Spirit-filled life and evidence of spiritual maturity.

The gifts of the Spirit are different manifestations of the Spirit to build up the body (1 Cor. 12:1- 11). We are instructed to diligently seek the gifts (1 Cor. 14:26-33) in the context of love (1 Cor. 13:1- 13).

The baptism in the Spirit is a special experience following salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service just as it did in the New Testament times. This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of salvation. (Luke 3:16; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-18; Acts 8:14-19; Acts 9:17-18; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 19:1-6)

Baptism in Water
The Scripture teaches that all who repent and believe in Christ are to be baptized by immersion in water (Matt. 28:19). Baptism is a public profession of faith in Christ. It is symbolic of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It is a declaration to the world that we have died to sin and have been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4).

Communion
The Lord’s table consists of two elements: the bread and cup. Those elements are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. Communion is a memorial of Christ’s sufferings on the cross and a celebration of our salvation. It is an opportunity for a believer to examine oneself and remember the forgiveness available in Jesus. (Luke 22:19-20)

The Church has a mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin. We believe "the Church" is the body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God’s offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son, Jesus Christ.

There will be a final judgment in which the dead will be resurrected and judged (Matt. 25:31-46; Rom. 2:1-9). Those who have not trusted in Christ for salvation, along with the Devil and his angels, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:11-15). Those who have trusted in Christ for salvation will be resurrected, stand at the judgment seat of Christ to be rewarded for their good deeds (1 Cor. 4:5), and enjoy God’s presence forever.