Our Doctrinal Statement

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What We Believe ~ Our beliefs are key themes that emerge from the Bible, which is the Word of God and our first and final authority.  The Bible is the historical account of how God rescues lost humanity, centered around His Son Jesus Christ, known as the Gospel, which means "good news." Notice that each section of our beliefs is clearly demonstrated to be connected to the gospel. 

God ~ We believe in one God, eternally existing in a loving unity (Jn. 17:5, 24) of three equally divine Persons (Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19) This is commonly called the Trinity.  God created all things (Gen. 1:1) culminating in the creation of humans in His image (Gen. 1:26-28). The love and grace of the Triune God is the origin of the Gospel (Eph. 1:1-14).

The Father ~ We believe in God the Father, one in nature and distinct in Person from the Son and Spirit (Matt. 3:16-17). Being reconciled with the Father is the outcome of the Gospel (Jn. 14:6). 

Jesus Christ ~ We believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son (Jn. 1:1) and Israel’s promised Messiah (Acts 2:36). He took on flesh through a supernatural conception and virgin birth (Luke 1:34-35), becoming one Person in two natures, fully God and fully man (Jn. 1:14; Col. 2:9-10).  He lived a sinless life (Heb. 4:15), was crucified for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3), arose bodily from the dead (Lk. 24:36-43; Acts 1:3), was seen by many witnesses (1 Cor. 15:6), ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-11) and sits at the right hand of God the Father (Heb. 1:3) as our High Priest (Heb. 4:14) and Advocate (1 Jn 2:1).  Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is the message of the Gospel. 

The Holy Spirit ~ We believe in God the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19; Heb. 3:7-11).  The Holy Spirit convicts unbelievers of the truth about Jesus (John 16:8-11), indwells each believer in Christ (Rom. 8:9), and empowers believers to apply the gospel to their lives. We affirm and accept the gifts and manifestations of Holy Spirit, embracing the practice of such according to Holy Scripture. 

The Bible ~ We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and the supreme and final authority for faith and life (Ps. 19:7-14; 2 Tim. 3:15-17).  The central theme of the Bible is the history of the Gospel, God’s eternal plan to redeem and restore His fallen creation (Eph. 1:4-5). 

The Human Condition ~ We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image. They sinned when tempted by Satan (Gen. 3:1-6). Human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God (Gen. 3:22-23), and under His wrath (Eph. 2:1-3). The human condition exposes the great need of the Gospel.  

The human condition, that we are created in God’s image but fallen into sin, leads us to three important implications that are especially important in our society. 

1. Discrimination – We deplore and do not practice discrimination based on race, color, nationality, social class, ability or gender. All humans are made in God’s image and are equally valuable in God’s sight, and therefore in ours (John 3:16; Revelation 5:8-9).  In Christ all human distinctions are superseded by our standing as children of God (Galatians 3:28-29).  

2. Human Sexuality ~ We believe God created human beings in His image, male and female (Genesis 1:26-27). He created permanent marriage between one man and one woman as the place where sexuality is to be practiced, both for procreation and for bonding in the closest human relationship (Genesis 2:23-25; Proverbs 5:15-20; Ephesians 5:22-33; Hebrews 13:4).  Human sexuality and marriage is intended as an illustration of the relationship with Christ and His church through the gospel (Ephesians 5:21-33; Revelation 19:7-9). 

3. Sanctity of life  ~  We believe that God has set apart human life as unique and valuable, in His image (Genesis 1:27; 5:1; Psalm 8; James 3:9), and commanded that it be preserved and protected from conception until death (Genesis 9:6; Exodus 20:13).  The gospel demonstrates the preciousness of human life in that Jesus came and died for the human race (John 3:16).

Salvation ~ We believe that salvation is by grace alone (Eph. 2:8-9) and occurs when a person places his faith in the Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior (Rom. 1:16-17), the death and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-6), as the only way to be made right with God (1 Tim. 2:5-6). The Gospel is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes.

The Church ~ We believe that the church consists of all true believers (1 Cor. 12:13; 4:3-7), the body of Christ (Rom. 12:4), of which Christ is the Head (Eph. 1:22-23). All who are the church should join with a particular local assembly (Heb. 10:19-25). The church exemplifies the Gospel to the world.

Christ's Return  ~  We believe in the personal, glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7). Christ’s Second Coming is the realization of the hope of the Gospel.  

Christian Living ~We believe that Christians should live as The Father’s beloved children (Eph. 5:1-2) by abiding in Christ, (John 15:5) and being filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18).  By growing the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-23), we fulfill God’s command to love Him supremely while loving others sacrificially (Mark 12:30-31).  In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people (Matt. 28:19), bearing witness to the Gospel in word and deed (Matt. 5:14-16). 

Response & Eternal Destiny ~ We believe that God desires everyone, everywhere (Acts 20:20) to believe the gospel (John 6:29) by turning to Him in repentance (Luke 24:47) and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:12). Every person has an eternal destination, the believer to blessedness and joy in the Lord, the unbeliever to condemnation. Everyone is responsible for their personal response to the Gospel.