What We Believe
What We Believe
GOD
We believe that there is one living and true GOD, eternally existing in three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; that this triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:8 and 48:16; Matthew 28:19-20; John 10:30; Hebrews 1:3).
SCRIPTURE
We believe that the SCRIPTURES of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired without error, and the infallible rule of faith and practice. The Word of God is the foundation upon which the Church operates and is the basis by which the Church is governed. We believe the Word of God overrules any earthly law that is contrary to the Holy Scriptures (Isaiah 28:13; Nehemiah 8:8; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Peter 1:3-4 and 1:21).
GOD THE FATHER
We believe in GOD THE FATHER, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalms 90:2; Psalms 102:27; John 3:16 and 4:24; 1 Timothy 1:17; Titus 1:3).
GOD THE SON
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, His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, eternal intercession for His people, and personal, visible return to earth (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:23; Mark 16:19; Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1-2, 8:58 and 11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 1:2; Revelation 1:8).
GOD 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 for ministry all who believe in Christ; we believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher, and Guide (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:18; John 16:8-11; Romans 8:26 and 15:13,16; Hebrews 9:14). We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a distinct and separate experience to that of regeneration, occurring either after or simultaneous with salvation, evidenced by a greater dynamic in the Christian's life; enabling that person to be a more effective witness. The supreme evidence of a Spirit-filled life is the fruit of the Spirit, love. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit regarding the exercise of all biblical gifts of the Holy Spirit according to the instructions given to us (1 Corinthians 12-14).
THE PROBLEM OF SIN, AND THE ANSWER
We believe that all PEOPLE are sinners by nature and choice and, therefore, are under condemnation. Yet, God saves and gives new life to all who come to Him in repentance and faith, trusting in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. At the cross, Jesus Christ died in our place, absorbing God's wrath that should have come upon us. Since Jesus died for the sins of the world the invitation to believe is open to all, and whoever desires may come unto Jesus for new life and the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 11:28; John 3:16; Acts 3:19, 20:21; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-3, 8-9; 1 John 2:2; Revelation 22:17).
LEADERSHIP
We believe in the pattern and principle of MALE LEADERSHIP and responsibility in both the home and the church, according to the sacrificial example of Jesus. We believe this limits the roles of pastoral leadership and doctrinal authority to qualified men (1 Corinthians 11:1-12; 1 Timothy 2:1-15). We believe in the universal CHURCH, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the Head and all regenerated persons are members (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:15-16).
ORDINANCES
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ committed two ORDINANCES to the Church: baptism (by immersion), and the Lord's Supper (Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 11:23- 26).
ETERNITY
We believe in a literal Heaven and a literal Hell and that all those who place their faith, hope, and trust in Jesus Christ will spend eternity in Heaven with Him. Those who reject Jesus' free will of salvation will spend eternity separated from Him (Psalm 9:17; Matthew 5:3.3, 5:22, 18:9, 25:31-34; Mark 9:42-49; Luke 12:5; John 3:18; Hebrews 12:23; 1 Peter 1:4; Revelation 14:10-11, 20:11-15).
THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS
We believe in THE SECOND COMING of Jesus Christ; His personal, visible return to earth and the establishment of His millennial Kingdom, in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment and eternal blessing of the righteous, and endless suffering of the wicked. (Matthew 16:27; Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:11-15). We Believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church where all believers will meet Jesus in the air and be taken out of this world before the Seven-Year Tribulation that will come upon the earth (Isaiah 26:20; Matthew 24: 29-31; Luke 21:36; Romans 1:18, 5:9; 1Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-16, 5:9; 2 Peter 2: 7-9; Revelation 3:10, 5:7-10, 7:13-14).
MARRIAGE
We believe that God created mankind and He created them male and female. As such, He created them differently to complement and complete each other. God instituted monogamous marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. Therefore, we perform marriages in accordance with the consistency of the Old and New Testaments in the Bible (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; John 4:16-18; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 5:11, 6:9-11, 18-20; 7:1-3, 8-9; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:3-7; 1 Timothy 1:9-11).
ABORTION
We believe abortion in all forms is morally unjustifiable and is the indefensible taking of human life. Abortion is murder. We are morally opposed to any teaching that abortion due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well-being of the mother, is morally permissible; we choose life. We are morally opposed to providing financial support for abortions (Ephesians 1:4; Deuteronomy 30:19).