The following is a detailed list of our beliefs with accompanying scripture references.
1. THE WORD OF GOD
We believe the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God and is without error. It is completely sufficient and has supreme authority in all matters of faith, doctrine, and conduct.
References: 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:19-21; John 17:17; Psalm 12:6; Psalm 19:7; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Deuteronomy 29:29; 1 Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12
2. THE ONE TRUE GOD
We believe in one true God who is the creator and sovereign ruler of all things. The scriptures testify that God eternally exists in three equal persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each has the same nature and attributes but is distinct in office and activity.
References: Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10, 11; Isaiah 44:6; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22; 1 Corinthians 13:14
3. THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, laid aside his glory and left heaven, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, was wholly God and wholly man; performed many miracles and lived a sinless life. We believe Jesus Christ came to reveal God to mankind and through his substitutionary death on the cross paid the penalty for mankind’s sin. We believe in His bodily resurrection from the dead, and his exultation to the right hand of the Father where he now intercedes for His people.
References: Hebrews 1:3; Revelation 1:17; John 17:4-5; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31; Luke 1:35; Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22; Matthew 26:39, 42; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42; John 4:34; John 5:30; John 6:38–40; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:1; Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9; Acts 1:11; Acts 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 7:23-2
4. THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
a. The Holy Spirit and Salvation
We believe God the Holy Spirit is a person who restrains evil in the world and convicts men of sin. He also regenerates (being born again) and seals those who receive Christ as Savior.
References: John 16:7-11; John 3:3-7; Ephesians 4:30; Titus 3:5-6; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
b. The Infilling/Baptism in the Holy Spirit
We believe in the baptism in the Holy Spirit (the promise of the Father) subsequent to salvation as experienced on the day of Pentecost. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian church. This infilling experience empowers believers to be a witness for Jesus Christ and results in the operation of the gifts of the Spirit for the edification of the church.
References: Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 8:12-17; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11:14-16; Acts 15:7-9; Acts 19:1-7; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
5. THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created innocent, good, and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” However, a man by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless state and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God.
References: Genesis 1:26-27; 2:17; Gen 3:1-6, 19; Romans 3:23; 5:10-19; Isaiah 53:6; Ephesians 2:1-3
6. SALVATION
We believe man’s only hope for the forgiveness of sin, and reconciliation with God, (salvation) is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
References: 1 Cor 15:1-4; Romans 1:16, Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23-24; Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7
a. How To Be Saved
We believe salvation is received by turning away from sin (repentance) and believing (faith) that Jesus Christ took the punishment for man’s sin by dying on the cross and rising from the dead. When a person repents and places their faith in Jesus Christ they are at that moment “born again”, washed and sealed by the Holy Spirit, forgiven of all sin, and become children of God.
References: Acts 2:38; Romans 5:21; Romans 10:9-10; John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5-6; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; Romans 5:9; Colossians 2:13; John 1:12-13; 1 John 3:1
b. Salvation is the Gift of God
We believe salvation is by grace (undeserved/unmerited favor) and cannot be earned; it is the free gift of God
References: Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; Titus 2:11; 3:5; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Acts 13:38-39;
c. Evidence of Salvation
We believe the inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16).
References: Romans 8:16
We believe the outward evidence of salvation to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness. A child of God lives to bring God glory, does good, and bears the fruit of the Spirit as evidence of salvation.
References: Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12; Matthew 5:16; Luke 6:43-45; Titus 3:8; James 2:18; Galatians 5:22-23; Galatians 6:20
7. THE CHURCH
We believe the Church, the Body, and Bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism, made up of all born-again followers of Jesus Christ throughout the world. We believe the church came into being on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out for the first time. We believe the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ brought into being the New Covenant, in His blood, and resulted in the coming of the promised Holy Spirit who gives us new birth into the family of God, which is the Church.
References: 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:4–12; Colossians 1:18–24; 1 Corinthians 11:2-3; Ephesians 5:22-23; Revelation 19:7-8; John 3:3-7; Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; Titus 3:5-6; Ephesians 2:11-22
We believe that the local church is an assembly of born-again believers who are voluntarily joined together in one locality for the purpose of worship, prayer, fellowship, teaching and preaching of the Bible, and observance of church ordinances. We believe that the “one another” of scripture is intended by God to be fulfilled in the context of the church.
References: Acts 2:42-47; 13:1-3; I Corinthians 1:1-2; 12:1-11; Ephesians 4:11-13; Matthew 16:18; 28:19-20
“One Another” References: Leviticus 19:11; Judges 20:22; Esther 9:22; Isaiah 6:3; Jeremiah 9:20; Zechariah 7:9; Malachi 2:10; John 5:44; John 13:14; John 13:34; Romans 12:10; Romans 13:8; Romans 14:13; Romans 15:7; Romans 15:14; Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:2; Ephesians 4:32; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Titus 3:3; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:24; James 4:11; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Peter 3:8; 1 Peter 4:9; 1 Peter 5:5; 1 Peter 5:14; 1 John 1:7; 1 John 3:11; 1 John 4:7; 2 John 5
We believe that the church has three foundational purposes for existence:
a. We believe the church exists as a corporate body to love and worship God.
References: Mark 12: 29-30; 1 Corinthians 12:13, Acts 13:1-3
b. We believe the church exists to evangelize the world.
References: Acts 1:8; Acts 4:29-31; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16
c. We believe the church exists to build a body of believers being conformed into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.
References: Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 14:12
8. THE MINISTRY
We believe that God calls and anoints men to the five-fold ministry in the church to prepare God’s people for ministry and to bring them to maturity. We believe that God has also ordained other ministry leadership positions to ensure the church functions properly spiritually and administratively. We believe that all divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord to lead the church in the accomplishing of its aforementioned purposes.
References: Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 2 Timothy 4:2; Acts 11:30; Acts 14:23; Acts 20:17; Acts 21:18; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5; 2 John 1; 3 John 1; Acts 6:1–6; Romans 16:1–2; Philippians 1:1
9. THE ORDINANCE OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe Christ instituted the ordinances of water baptism and the Lord’s Supper, both of which are to be observed by believers until He returns.
a. Baptism
We believe that only those who have made a personal confession of faith in Jesus Christ should be water baptized. We believe when water baptized, by immersion, a believer in Jesus Christ is publicly identified with his Savior. Thus declaring to the world that they have died with Christ (to the old self/man) and they have also been raised with Him to walk in newness of life.
Reference: Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47, 48; Romans 6:4
b. The Lords Supper (Communion)
We believe the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of Christ’s suffering and death, the elements being symbols of His body and blood. We believe that in the ordinance is a prophecy of His second coming and an expression of our participating in the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. We believe every Christian has a right to partake of the elements of the Lord’s Supper but that participation must always be preceded by self-examination.
References: Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34; 2 Peter 1:4
10. SANCTIFICATION
We believe that sanctification is being separated from evil (the world) and dedicated to God. It is the state of being holy and is made possible through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and is accomplished through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. We believe that sanctification is both positional and progressive.
References: Hebrews 13:12-13; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Hebrews 10:29; Hebrews 12:14
a. Positional Sanctification – God’s Work
We believe positional sanctification is realized by every believer at the moment they place their faith in Jesus Christ and are born-again. At that moment we are identified with Christ and his life and holiness are imparted to us, God the Father then sees us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
References: Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; Ephesians 5:25–27; 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24; Hebrews 2:11; Hebrews 10:10–14; Hebrews 10:29; Hebrews 13:12-13
b. Progressive Sanctification – The Believer’s Work
We believe that sanctification is also progressive and as we surrender to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, Christ gains greater and greater dominion in our lives.
References: Matthew 5:48; Romans 12:1–2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:11–15; Philippians 3:12; Colossians 1:6; Colossians 1:10; Colossians 2:18–19; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7; Hebrews 6:1–3; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 2:1–3; 2 Peter 3:18
11. DIVINE HEALING
We believe divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers. Divine healing is appropriated according to the scriptures and is subject to the will and purposes of God. We believe that God has always been the “healer” of His people and because of His immutability, He continues to be our healer.
References: Isaiah 53:4, 5; Matt. 8:16; 17; John 14:11-14; James 5:14-16; Psalm 103:1-5; Psalm 107:20; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 1:12; Hebrews 13:8
12. THE LAST THINGS
a. The Blessed Hope
We believe in the “Blessed Hope”, the personal and imminent (impending), coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe at his coming there will be a resurrection of those who have died in Christ and that they, along with those who are alive and remain (the saved on earth), will be caught up to meet the Lord in the clouds and forever be with the Lord.
References: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Luke 21:34-36; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9; Romans 5:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12
References for Immanency: Luke 12:36; Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 11:26; 2 Corinthians 5:2; Galatians 5:5; Philippians 3:20; Philippians 4:5; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; James 5:7–9; 1 Peter 4:7; 1 John 3:3; Jude 21; Revelation 3:11; 22:7; 22:20; Matthew 25:1-30
b. The Judgment Seat of Christ
We believe that every saved person will appear before the before the “Judgment Seat” to be judged by the Lord in regard to faithful service.
References: 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10
c. The Millennial Reign of Christ
The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on earth for one thousand years. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel and the establishment of universal peace.
References: Zechariah 14:5; 12:10; Matthew 24:27, 30; Revelation 1:7; 19:11-14; 20:1-6; Ezekiel 37:21, 22; Zephaniah 3:19-20; Romans 11:26-27; Isaiah 11:6-9; Psalm 72:3-8; Micah 4:3-4; Luke 1:32; Acts 2:29- 30; Isaiah 9:6-7
d. The Final Judgment
We believe there will be a final judgment at which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever name is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire, which is the second death
References: Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; 2:11; 21:8
e. The New Heavens and the New Earth
We believe in, and look for, the new heavens and a new earth where all His own will dwell with Him for eternity.
References: 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-2; Revelation 21:22
13. THE ETERNAL STATE
a. The Righteous and the Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; the righteous are those justified by grace through faith in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. We believe that all who continue in unbelief are in His sight wicked, under the law of sin and death, under the wrath of God, and in a state of condemnation.
References: Ephesians 2:8-9; Malachi 3:18; Genesis 18:23; Romans 6:17-18; 1 John 5:19; Romans 7:6; Romans 6:23; Proverbs 14:32; Matthew 25:31-46; Romans 8:1-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
b. Eternal State of the Righteous (Believers in Jesus Christ)
We believe the souls of believers, those justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ do, at death, immediately pass into His presence, and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming for the Church, when soul and body reunited shall be associated with Him forever in glory.
References: 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; Luke 23:43; John 5:24; Luke 16:19-26; Revelation 21:26-27
c. Eternal State of the Wicked – Unbelievers (Those who have rejected Jesus Christ)
We believe the souls of unbelievers, those who have rejected the free gift of salvation, remain after death in constant misery in Hades until the final judgment of the Great White Throne at the close of the millennium when soul and body reunited shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to be punished with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord. We believe that God deals justly with all who have lived, regardless of time or location.
References: Ephesians 2:3; John 3:17-18; Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:11-1, Luke 6:25; Revelation 21:26-27
14. CREATION
We believe that God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) created the heavens and the earth, including all life, “each after its own kind”, by direct act in six literal days, according to the Genesis account and not by the process of evolution, and that man was created in the image and likeness of God.
References: Genesis 1:1-2, 1:3-26; 1:27; 2:1-3; Exodus 20:11; 31:17; Colossians 1:16, 17; John 1:3
15. THE FAMILY, MARRIAGE, CHILDREN, & SEXUALITY
a. Family
We believe that God created the family to be the foundational institution of society. The church, community, and nation are only as strong as the families that make up these institutions.
The family is the fundamental vehicle for evangelization and the training ground for the next generation.
b. Marriage Covenant
We believe the home was the first institution God provided for man, and that marriage was the first covenant in scripture, it is a sacred relationship and honorable for all. Marriage is a joyous, lifelong, covenantal relationship between one man and one woman. We believe marriage is intended to display to the world the nature of the relationship of Christ and His church. We believe marriage should be honored by all and according to scripture, this covenant ends only when one of the members dies.
References: Genesis 2:12-24; Malachi 2:14; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:2; Ephesians 5:21-23; Mark 10:9
We believe that marriages between believers and unbelievers are forbidden in Scripture.
References: 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Galatians 6:7; Ephesians 4:17-5:7; Deuteronomy 22:9-11
c. Children
We believe that it is the responsibility of parents to raise their children to love and to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and that this grave responsibility cannot be delegated to anyone else. We believe that the Bible is the authority in all matters of raising children and that the philosophies of this world are to be avoided.
We believe that Children are a blessing, a gift, a heritage from the Lord and should be a priority above all other earthly pursuits.
As a trust from the Lord, we believe children are to be loved, trained, and disciplined according to God’s Word. Failing to raise a child according to the Word of God has dire consequences for the parents and the child, but an obedient child is a blessing to their parents and as such will experience the blessings of God.
References: Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:4-9; 11:19; 31:12-13; Psalm 8:2; Colossians 2:8; Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 22:6; Hebrews 12:5-11; Proverbs 6:20-23;13:24; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15; 17; Deuteronomy 5:16; Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-4;
d. Sexuality
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one man and one woman. We believe that all forms of sexuality except what God has intended are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman for a lifetime.
References: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 19:5,13; Genesis 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; 7:10; 1 Thessalonians. 4:1-8; Ephesians 5:22-23; Hebrews 13:4
16. DEVIL OR SATAN
We believe in the personality of Satan, that he is the unholy god of this age, and the author of all powers of darkness, and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire. We also believe that it is a grave error to have anything other than a Biblical view of his purpose, character, and destiny. The devil or Satan is a liar, his purpose is to kill, steal, and destroy. He comes as an angel of light to deceive and makes plans to accomplish his wickedness.
References: 2 Corinthians 4:4; John 16:11; Revelation 20:10; Revelation 12:9; John 8:44; John 10:10; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 11:14; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11
We believe that Jesus Christ is greater than, and has complete authority over, the devil. This is true because Jesus Christ is God and the devil is not. The devil is a creation of Jesus Christ that has rebelled against Him and will be punished for his rebellion. Jesus defeated the works of Satan when he died on the cross and rose from the dead. We believe hell (the lake of fire) was created for the devil and the other angels (demons) that rebelled against God. We believe that he will be placed there one day not as an inflictor of punishment but as a sufferer for eternity.
References: Matthew 28:18; 1 John 4:4; Matthew 25:41; Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:12-17; 1 John 3:8; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:7-10;
We believe that because Jesus Christ lives in believers, we are not subject to the authority of the devil. Our weapons against the devil are not of this world because the war is spiritual. The weapons God has given us are powerful and fully sufficient to win the spiritual battles we face. God has equipped us with His Word (the Bible), the Name of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, prayer and the full armor of God.
References: Matthew 28:18; 1 John 4:4; Matthew 4:1-34; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; 2 Corinthians 4:4; James 5:16; James 4:7-8; Jeremiah 33:3; Ephesians 6:10-20