STATEMENT OF FAITH
The following are based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible.
All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these Biblical doctrines.
THE BIBLE
The sole basis of our belief is the Bible, composed of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament. We believe that Scripture in its entirety originated with God, and that it was given through chosen men. Scripture thus speaks with the authority of God and reflects the backgrounds, styles and vocabularies of the human authors. We hold that the Scriptures are infallible, inspired, and inerrant in the original manuscripts. They are the unique, full and final authority on all matters of faith and practice and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God.
[2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21]
[2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21]
God
We believe that there is one true, Holy God, eternally existing in three persons of the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit—each of Whom possess equally all the attributes of deity and the characteristics of personality. In the beginning God created out of nothing the heavens and the earth and all the things therein, thus manifesting the glory of His power, wisdom and goodness. By His sovereign power He continues to sustain His creation. By His providence He is operating throughout history to fulfill His redemptive purposes.
[Genesis 1:26, Matthew 3:16-17, John 10:30, Ephesians 1:3-6]
[Genesis 1:26, Matthew 3:16-17, John 10:30, Ephesians 1:3-6]
Sin and Salvation
The central purpose of God’s revelation in Scripture is to call all people into fellowship with Himself. Originally created to have fellowship with God, man defied God and sinned. He chose to go his independent way, and was thus alienated from God, and he suffered the corruption of his nature, rendering him unable to please God. The fall took place at the beginning of human history, and all individuals since have suffered these consequences and are thus in need of the saving grace of God. The salvation of mankind is, then wholly a work of God’s free grace, not the result, in whole or in part, of human works or goodness, and must be personally appropriated by repentance and faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ. When God has begun a saving work in the heart of any person, He gives assurance in His Word that He will continue performing it until the day of its full consummation.
[Genesis 3:1-9, Romans 3:23, Romans 11:32, Ephesians 2:8-10, Galatians 3:22]
[Genesis 3:1-9, Romans 3:23, Romans 11:32, Ephesians 2:8-10, Galatians 3:22]
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the eternal second Person of the Trinity who was united forever with a true human nature by a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father and voluntarily atoned for the sins of all by dying on the cross as their substitute, thus satisfying divine justice and accomplishing salvation for all who trust in Him alone. He rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of the Father, where He, the only Mediator between God and man, continually makes intercession for His own. He shall come again to earth, personally and visibly, to consummate history and the eternal plan of God.
[1 Timothy 2:5, Luke 1:34, Matthew 1:20, Romans 3:21-26, John 20:17, Luke 24:6, Luke 22:19-20, John 10:15, 1 Timothy 2:6, Acts 7:55, 1 Corinthians 15:14]
[1 Timothy 2:5, Luke 1:34, Matthew 1:20, Romans 3:21-26, John 20:17, Luke 24:6, Luke 22:19-20, John 10:15, 1 Timothy 2:6, Acts 7:55, 1 Corinthians 15:14]
The Holy Spirit
The essential accompaniment of a genuine saving relationship with Jesus Christ is a life of holiness and obedience, attained by believers as they submit to the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity. He was sent into the world by the Father and the Son to apply to mankind the saving work of Christ. He enlightens the minds of sinners, awakens in them a recognition of their need of a Savior and regenerates them. At the point of salvation He permanently indwells every believer to become the source of assurance, strength and wisdom, and uniquely endows each believer with gifts for the upbuilding of the body. The Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying the Scripture. His power and control are appropriated by faith, making it possible for the believer to lead a life of Christ-like character and to bear fruit to the glory of the Father.
[2 Corinthians 5:17, John 1:12-13, John 3:5-6, John 16:13, John 16:7-11]
[2 Corinthians 5:17, John 1:12-13, John 3:5-6, John 16:13, John 16:7-11]
The Church
That which joins believers together as one is Jesus Christ. He is the head of the church. There is one true church comprised of all those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The Scripture commands believers to gather together to devote themselves to worship, prayer, and teaching of the Word, fellowship, service to the body through the development and use of talents and gifts, and outreach to the world. Observance of baptism and communion are the sacraments of the church established by Jesus Christ. Wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to this command, there is the local expression of the church. Under the watchful care of elders and other supportive leadership, its members are to work together in love and unity, intent on the one ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.
[Ephesians 1:22, Acts 2:38,41,47, Romans 12:4-8, Ephesians 4:11-12, Acts 20:28, Matthew 28:19-20, Hebrews 10:25]
[Ephesians 1:22, Acts 2:38,41,47, Romans 12:4-8, Ephesians 4:11-12, Acts 20:28, Matthew 28:19-20, Hebrews 10:25]
Faith and Practice
Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. This church recognizes that it cannot bind the conscience of individual members in areas where Scripture is silent. Rather, each believer is to be led in those areas by the Lord, to whom he or she alone is ultimately responsible and accountable. We believe the Statement of Faith to be an accurate summary of what Scripture teaches. All are urged to refrain from advocating doctrines that contradict the Statement of Faith in such a way as to cause dissension or confusion.
[1 Corinthians 10:31-33, Romans 14:1-12, Titus 3:10, Romans 16:17]
[1 Corinthians 10:31-33, Romans 14:1-12, Titus 3:10, Romans 16:17]
Marriage
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God [Genesis 1:26-27]. Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one genetic man and one genetic woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture [Genesis 2:18-25]. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other [1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4]. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman.
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..."
2 Timothy 3:16
OUR CORE VALUES
BIBLICAL LITERACY
We are committed to studying and teaching the Bible with accuracy and clarity so that we may know God and apply His timeless truth to our lives today. We believe developing a biblical worldview is essential for growing more like Jesus Christ and being equipped for every good work.
[Romans 12:2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17]
[Romans 12:2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17]
COMMUNITY
As members of Christ's body, we are all inter-connected and dependent upon one another. Being united in Christ-centered relationships is necessary for our spiritual growth and our witness for a watching world. We are committed to fostering a safe community where we share life, exercise our spiritual gifts, and build up one another in love.
[John 17:20-21; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:15]
[John 17:20-21; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:15]
MISSION
We have the responsibility and heart to share the message of Jesus Christ with those who are spiritually lost and to invite them to turn to the Lord for forgiveness, new life, and a permanent home in his family. We seek to lovingly speak grace and truth into our culture with our lips and our lives, our words and our works.
[Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 19:10; John 13:34-35]
[Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 19:10; John 13:34-35]
WORSHIP
Authentic worship must be heartfelt and grounded and guided by God's truth. It is not merely an activity confined to a particular time and place, but rather a way of life. Therefore, we strive to love and honor God both in our personal lives and in the corporate worship of our church.
[John 4:23-24; Romans 12:1]
[John 4:23-24; Romans 12:1]