Core Beliefs

The Scriptures

The Bible is God’s Word to us, inspired by the Holy Spirit and written without error by man. It is

the final authority in all matters of faith, practice, and truth. It is the basis and guide for all

teaching in the church, and the standard for those who declare Christ as Lord. The church has

no authority to establish doctrine or practice contrary to the Scriptures. The Biblical Canon of

66 books is the full Revelation of God's word and there is no new revelation or expansion on

that to be had. It is sufficient in its capability for instruction, salvation, and God's glory; and

stands alone in its ability to do so. (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21)

God

There is one and only one living and true God. The eternal triune, God, reveals Himself to us as

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature,

essence, or being. (2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 John 5:7)

God the Father

God is the creator and sustainer of the universe. He is the supreme being who eternally exists in

three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He is all-powerful, all-present, and all-

knowing. He is the only true God and is revealed in the pages of the Bible. God desires to have a

relationship with us and sent His Son Jesus to make that relationship possible. (Genesis 1, John

1, John 3:16)

God the Son

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, sent by the Father. He is both fully God and fully Man,

conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He lived a perfect sinless life and died on the

cross as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. Three days later He rose from the dead victorious

over sin and death, and later ascended back to Heaven. He is now seated at the right hand of

God and will one day return to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

(John 1, Luke 1: 26-38, Luke 2: 1-20, 1 Peter 2: 21-24, Luke 23, Luke 24, Matthew 27, Matthew

28)

God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God that dwells in all believers upon their conversion to faith in

Jesus Christ. He convicts us of our sins and reveals our need for Jesus. He provides the believer

with comfort, encouragement, understanding of spiritual truths, and direction to do what is

right. He illuminates God’s word and gives believers unique spiritual gifts that enable them to

serve the church. (1 Corinthians 3:16, John 16:7-13, Acts 1:8)

Salvation & Assurance

Salvation is God’s free gift to us and cannot be earned through our own effort or good works.

Salvation is received by faith alone in Jesus and His work on the cross. Eternal life begins the

moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior (Justification). (Romans 5:1, Romans 6:23, Romans

10:9, John 14:6)

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water. It is an act of obedience, symbolizing

belief in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior. This act represents the believer’s death to sin, the

burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in the newness of life in Jesus Christ. The

Lord’s Supper (Communion) is a symbolic act memorializing the death of the Redeemer and

anticipating His second coming. (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 16:16, 1 Corinthians 11:28-32)

Evangelism and Missions

It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and every church of the Lord Jesus Christ

to endeavor to make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:19)

Eternity

Man was created to exist forever. Believers will spend eternity in Heaven with God through

salvation in Jesus Christ. Unbelievers will spend eternity in Hell, forever separated from God by

sin. (Matthew 25:41, John 3:17-18, Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 22)

Man/Humanity

Man was created in the image of God, male and female, and is the supreme object of His

creation. Because of the fall in Genesis 3, he is now spiritually separated from God through

sinful nature, and incapable of restoring fellowship with God apart from salvation in Jesus

Christ. (Genesis 1:27, Romans 3:23-24)

The Church

The local church is a family of believers unified through their trust in Jesus Christ as Lord. It

provides nurture, encouragement, guidance, protection, and correction to its members. The

Church is commissioned to be the hands and feet of Jesus, giving hope to a broken world. We

believe that the Bible instructs believers in God's plan for discipleship and the Holy Spirit

convicts them into action. Therefore, the church shall/will not align itself with any political or

social justice organizations. Grace, compassion, and Christian love are sufficient for improving

the community/nation/world, with Kingdom building as our focus. (Ephesians 4:11-14)