Statement of Faith
The Word of God-The Bible
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (John 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
The Trinity
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections. (Matthew 28:18-20; John 1:1-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 5:7)
God the Father
We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of all people, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 45:5; John 3:16-17)
Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe He died on a cross, a sacrifice for our sins; His bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people and personal, visible return to earth. (Isaiah 7:14; John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:2-3; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide. (John 16:7-15; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:9-11, 14-17)
Regeneration
We believe that all people are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Only those who receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and thus become children of God.(John 1:12-13; John 3:3, 16- 17; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:1-9; Titus 3:5)
The Church
We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a united body of believers in Jesus Christ, called together for worship, service and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. (Acts 2:38-41; Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 2:19-22; Ephesians 5:25-27)
Christian Conduct
We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and well-being of others; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; he should be a faithful steward of his possessions; and that he should seek to realize for himself and others the full stature of maturity in Christ. (1 Corinthians 9:6-8; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 2:14- 16; Colossians 3:17-23)
The Ordinances
We believe that water baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into the name of the triune God. We believe the Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-42; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)
Religious Liberty
We believe that every human being has direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that therefore Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling it's duties free from dictation or patronage of the other. (Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4:14-16)
Church Cooperation
We believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperating with one another in a denominational organization. Such an organization, whether a regional or district conference, exists and functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in a conference is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. Churches may likewise cooperate with inter-denominational fellowships on a voluntary independent basis. (2 Corinthians 8:1-9)
The Last Things
We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgement, the everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord for the believer, and the everlasting conscious punishment for the unbeliever. (John 5:28-29; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:1-15)