What We Believe

The necessity of sound doctrine in the church is a consistent theme of the New Testament. (1 Tim. 1:3-10, 4:16, 6:3, 2 Tim. 1:13, 3:16, 4:2, Titus 1:9-11, 2:1).

  • It is essential to its spiritual health (Eph. 4:4-15)
  • It is the standard by which the conduct of the church is evaluated (Titus 2:1)
  • It is the faith the church contends for (Jude 3)
  • It is the truth the church upholds (1 Tim. 3:15-16).

There is a very real sense in which we can say that the Bible is our creed, for right doctrine is an accurate and systematic statement of what the Bible teaches. It is impossible to discern right and sound doctrine without being a student of the Scriptures. Therefore, we affirm our dependence upon the Scriptures for our doctrine, and gladly uphold the Bible as our final authority.

The statement of doctrine outlined below is neither exhaustive nor infallible. Rather, it is a summary of those truths which we hold as foundational to the Christian faith. It has been formulated to fulfill three main functions:

  • To stand as a contemporary confession of our faith.
  • To identify us in a day of varied theologies.
  • To be a standard by which we can evaluate ourselves.

Bible

We believe that every word in the original writing of the Holy Scriptures is inspired of God and without error (Mat. 5:18; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).

We believe, therefore, that it is the final standard of faith and practice for the believer in Jesus Christ and for His Church.

God

We believe that the Godhead exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one God. (Gen. 1:1,26; Deut. 6:4; Mat.28:19-20; John 4:24; 2 Cor. 13:14).

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is God’s only Son (John 3:16) and our sole mediator (1 Tim. 2:5).

We believe in His pre-existence (John 1:1), His incarnation (John 1:1-14), His virgin birth (Mat. 1:23-25), His sinless life (Heb. 4:15), His substitutionary atonement (Rom. 3:23-25), His bodily resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:24-27), His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:9-11), and His bodily return from heaven (Titus 2:13).

Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person, who regenerates, indwells, baptizes and seals all believers in Christ at the time of conversion and fills those believers who are yielded to God (Mat. 28:19; John 3:3-7; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 2:12; 6:19; 12:13; Eph. 4:30; Titus 3:5).

Angels

We believe that angels are personal beings, originally created holy, but now exist as fallen and unfallen, including Satan (Ps. 148:2-5; Mat. 25:41; Eph. 6:11-12; Col. 1:16; 1 Tim. 5:21; Jude 6; Rev. 12:7-12). Satan’s intent is to supplant God and frustrate His purposes. Satan’s ultimate end is consignment to eternal punishment (2 Cor. 4:1-6; Eph. 2:17; Rev. 12:7-12).

Man & Sin

We believe that man was created in the image of God, that he sinned in Adam, and that he is now a sinner by nature and by choice, yet maintains the essence of God’s image in his fallenness (Gen 1:26-27; 3:1-6; Rom. 10:18, 5:12-14; James 3:9).

Salvation

We believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from human merit, works or ceremonies (Acts 4:12; 16:31; Eph. 2:8-9).

Church

We believe that the church is the spiritual body of which Christ is the Head and that there is a two-fold aspect to the church, the universal and the local (Eph. 1:22-23; Philem. 2; 1 Thes. 1:1; Rev. 2:3).

We believe that the ordinances of the local church are two in number; water baptism (a public identification of the believer with Christ), and the Lord’s supper (a memorial of the atoning death of Christ until He comes), (Mat. 28:19; Acts 2:41; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-24).

While we recognize that many true believers practice infant baptism, we would not see such a practice as fulfilling the New Testament ordinance. Therefore, we would encourage every Christian to be baptized after trusting Jesus Christ as his/her Savior.

Resurrection & Judgements

We believe in the resurrection of the human body; the eternal existence of all men in either heaven or hell; in divine judgements, rewards and punishments (John 5:25-29; 11:25-26; 1 Cor. 15:51-57; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:11-15).

Spiritual Gifts

We believe that every believer has at least one spiritual gift (1 Cor. 12:7-11). God the Holy Spirit sovereignly bestows the gift(s) to each believer. When each believer exercises his gift in the assembly he contributes to the working and maturing of the Body of Christ (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-31; Eph. 4:1-16). Therefore we encourage the discovery and exercise of each believer’s giftedness.

Great Commission

We believe that believers are sent into the world by Christ as He was by the Father. Those so sent are ambassadors to go and make disciples and to make Christ known to the whole world (Mat. 28:18-20; John 15:8; 17:18; 20:21; 2 Cor. 5:20-21).
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