What We Believe

Statement of Faith

The Bible

The bible is inspired by God and is free from error. Through it, God reveals who He is, who we are in Him, and how we can live a life pleasing to Him. It is the final authority on all matters pertaining to doctrine, conduct and discipline. 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Hebrews 4:12, John 6:63

God (Trinity)

There is one eternal God who is the Creator and Preserver of all things. He exists in three persons, the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. They are co-equal and co-eternal, and they are of one substance, equal in power and in glory. Deuteronomy 6:4, Philippians 2:6, Matthew 28:19, Genesis 1:26, 2 Corinthians 13:14

God the Father

God the Father is infinite, limitless in power and wisdom, and perfect in His love, holiness, justice and grace. He is all knowing and all powerful. He loves us, cares for us, hears and answers our prayers, and has provided us salvation in His Son, Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:8, Psalm 147:5, Isaiah 55:9, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 147:4-5, John 3:16, 1 Peter 5:7, 1 John 5:15

Jesus

Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He is 100% God and 100% man. As God, He is equal with the Father in power and perfection. As a man, he was tempted in every way you and I are, yet lived a sinless life. He was crucified for our sins and then rose from the grave three days later to be seated at the right hand of God. As a result, if we believe on His name, not only are we forgiven of our sins, but we are made brand new. Luke 1:35, John 1:34, Matthew 1:18-25, John 1:1, John 10:30, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Acts 16:31, Luke 9:22, Matthew 26:64, 1 Peter 3:18, Isaiah 53:4-6, Acts 1:9-11, John 14:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a person, not a force, and He is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son. He is all knowing, all powerful, and everywhere present. He convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgement. He teaches, empowers, guides, and renews all those who believe on the name of Jesus. Genesis 1:2, John 14:16, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, Psalm 139:7-8, John 16:18-11, John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, Acts 1:8, John 16:13-14

Man

Man was made in the image of God and made to be in relationship with Him. Every person has been uniquely created by God, has value, is worthy of respect and our love. However, because of sin, man has been separated from God. As a result, it is impossible for man to become right with God without based on our own effort. Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:14, Ephesians 2:10, Jeremiah 1:5, Romans 5:8, Luke 12:6-7, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Mark 12:31, Romans 3:23-24

Salvation

Because of sin, man is unable to attain a right standing before God on his own merit, and the penalty of sin is death. But God, in His infinite mercy and wisdom, sent His son to pay the penalty of sin on our behalf. By His death on the cross, He purchased forgiveness of sins, and His resurrection from the dead secured newness of life for all those who would believe on His name. And this salvation is an entirely free gift received by faith. We did not deserve it and we cannot earn it. Our responsibility is to simply confess with our mouth that "Jesus is Lord" and believe in our heart that He is raised from the dead. Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, John 3:16, 1 John 2:2, Ephesians 1:7, Romans 6:4, Ephesians 2:8, Romans 10:9

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is subsequent to salvation, and is a gift available to all believers. When a believer is baptized in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit comes upon them, and enables them to utilize the various gifts of the Spirit to further the church, proclaim the gospel, and live an empowered and holy life, and is evidenced by speaking in other tongues. We believe the gifts of the Spirit are for today, and all believers should earnestly seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Mark 16:17-18, Acts 2:4, Acts 8:14-17, Acts 10:44-47, Acts 19:1-7, Ephesians 1:13, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 1 Corinthians 12:31

The Believer's Responsibility

Every believer is called to live a life that is set apart for God and separated from sin. We are to live lives that are characterized by a renewed mind and obedience to God's word. It is our responsibility to contribute to the sharing of the gospel both locally and globally. Every believer is an integral part of the body of Christ, and we are to use our gifts, abilities, time, and money, which has been given to us as stewards, to benefit the Kingdom of God. This is not out of a sense of duty or obligation, but rather as a response to the great blessing and love shown to us by God, and is an act of worship. 1 Peter 1:16, Romans 13:14, Romans 12:2, John 14:15, John 15:14, Luke 6:46, Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 12:12-26, 1 Peter 4:10, 1 Tim 6:17-19, John 3:27, 2 Corinthians 9:7

Healing

Physical health and wellbeing was purchased by Jesus' death on the cross. We believe that through faith and the laying on of hands, healing is available to all believers. Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24, Matthew 8:16-17, Romans 1:17, Mark 16:18

Miracles

We believe in miracles. We believe God does things that cannot be explained. “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” The Bible is full of stories in which God steps into impossible situations, and shows that His power and ability are unlimited and unstoppable. Exodus 15:11, Psalm 77:13-14, Psalm 72:18, Acts 5:12, Matthew 19:26, 2 Corinthians 12:12, Hebrews 2:4, Mark 16:17-18

Marriage

Marriage was created by God and is a covenant between a man and a woman where the two become one. Genesis 2:22, 24, Matthew 19:5-6

Baptism

We practice full-immersion baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Baptism should be completed as early in the Christian life as possible, and represents both symbolically and spiritually dying to our old life and rising up in newness life in Christ Jesus. Through water baptism we declare to the Lord, and to all present, that we have repented of our old sinful ways, and we are choosing instead to follow Jesus and His teachings. Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-19, Romans 6:4

Communion

Communion, or the Lord' Supper, is a memorial meal where the elements of bread and the fruit of the vine (representing the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken to "proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." This is not a time where we focus on our failures but rather a time of prayerful reflection on the success of Jesus Christ. It is done in remembrance of Him. Matthew 26:26-29, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

Heaven & Hell

Every person has an eternal spirit and a physical body. The human spirit looks like the physical body, is recognizable, and is capable of feeling, seeing, and hearing. A person's spirit is eternal and never ceases to exist, and when a believer dies, their spirit is immediately with the Father. At the end of the age, the physical bodies of all the dead shall be raised. The righteous shall enter into full possession of eternal life in the presence of God (Heaven), and the wicked shall be condemned to eternal death away from the presence of God in eternal, conscious, torment in the lake of fire (Hell). 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 1 Corinthians 15:44, Luke 16:22-31, Luke 23:46, Acts 7:59, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Revelation 6:9-10, 2 Corinthians 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, Revelation 20:5, 13-14, Matthew 25:46, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Revelation 20:10, 14, 15