"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."
Statement of Beliefs
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe.
He has eternally existed as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are coequal and are one God.
He has eternally existed as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are coequal and are one God.
- Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22
- Psalm 90:2
- Matthew 28:19
- 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus is the Son of God.
He is coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return again someday to earth to reign as King.
He is coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return again someday to earth to reign as King.
- Matthew 1:22, 23
- Isaiah 9:6
- John 1:1-5
- Hebrews 4:14-15
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
- Romans 1:3-4
- Acts 1:9-11
- Colossians 2:9-10
- 1 Timothy 6:14-15
The Holy Spirit lives in each Christian from salvation.
The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He provides Christians with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He provides Christians with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
- Acts 1:8
- John 14:16-17, 16:7-13
- Galatians 5:25
- 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16
- Ephesians 1:13
- 2 Corinthians 13:14
- 1 Peter 1:2
The Bible is God's Word to us.
The Bible was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error.
The Bible was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error.
- 2 Timothy 3:16
- 2 Peter 1:20-21
- Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6
- Proverbs 30:5
- Isaiah 55:11
People are the supreme object of God's creation.
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our life.
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our life.
- Genesis 1:27
- Isaiah 53:6
- Romans 3:23
- Isaiah 59:1-2
- Psalm 139:13-16
- Colossians 2:13-15
Salvation is God's free gift to us, but we must accept it.
We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
- Romans 6:23
- Ephesians 2:8-9
- John 14:6
- Romans 5:1, 5:8, 10:9-10
People will exist eternally with or without God.
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
- John 3:16, 14:17
- Romans 6:23
- Revelation 20:15
- Phillippians 2:5-11
- Matthew 25:31-34 , Matthew 25:41
Baptism is symbolic of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
Once we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, baptism is a way for us to publicly declare our new life in Christ. It is also a step of obedience based on God’s commands and allows us to follow the example of Jesus, who submitted himself to baptism to "fulfill all righteousness."
Once we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, baptism is a way for us to publicly declare our new life in Christ. It is also a step of obedience based on God’s commands and allows us to follow the example of Jesus, who submitted himself to baptism to "fulfill all righteousness."
- Matthew 3:16-17, 28:18-20
- Acts 2:41, 8:12
- Romans 6:4
- Colossians 2:12
The Church of Jesus Christ, founded on the Day of Pentecost, consists of all Christians everywhere, and is organized into local assemblies, called churches.
- Matthew 16:13-18
- Acts 2:14-47
The Elders of the church are the overseers of its affairs and the shepherds of its members; that they are the final interpretive authority of the Bible’s meaning and application for the church; and that they are responsible for the oversight, instruction, edification, discipline, and restoration of church members.
- 1 Peter 5:1-4
- Titus 1:9
- Titus 2:1-15
- Hebrews 13:17
- Matthew 18:15-17
- Galatians 6:1
- 1 Corinthians 5:11-13
The Bible instructs church members to:
- Meet together regularly for teaching, fellowship, prayer, including the Lord’s Supper at times.
- Acts 2:42
- Hebrews 10:25
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
- Use our natural abilities and spiritual gifts to serve one another.
- Romans 12
- 1 Peter 4:10
- Galatians 5:13
- 1 Corinthians 12:7
- Love one another, bear with one another, accept one another, and forgive one another.
- John 13:34-35
- John 15:17
- 1 John 4:7
- Romans 13:8
- Ephesians 4:2, 32
- Colossians 3:14
- Romans 15:7
- Seek unity, agreement, and peace with one another.
- Romans 12:16, 18
- 1 Thessalonians 5:13
- Philippians 2:2
- 2 Corinthians 13:11
- Encourage and build up one another.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11
- Bear one another’s burdens and pray for one another.
- Galatians 6:2
- James 5:16
- Spur one another to love and good deeds.
- Hebrews 10:24
- Submit to the authority of the elders of the church.
- Hebrews 13:17
- Support the church financially.
- 2 Corinthians 8:7
- Malachi 3:10
- 1 Timothy 5:17-18
- Pursue personal holiness and obedience to God’s Word.
- 2 Corinthians 7:1
- 1 Thessalonians 4:7
- 1 Peter 1:15
- Strive together to fulfill the Great Commission.
- Matthew 28:18-20
In addition to Essential Beliefs, we have liberty in Non-Essential Beliefs:
- Romans 14: 1, 4, 12, 22
- 1 Corinthians 10:23-24