What We Believe
WHAT WE BELIEVE
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless human life, and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He bodily arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin, Satan and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Matthew 1: 22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-4, 14; John 3:16, 17; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1: 3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13).
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present and alive in the world today making men aware of their need for a relationship with Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides Christians with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He is the source of all spiritual gifts and apportions them to every believer to do His ministry. We believe that all spiritual gifts are operative and needed in God’s church today. As Christians, we are to seek intimate fellowship and communion with the Holy Spirit and to live under His control daily (2 Corinthians 13:4; 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 14:12-31; John 16:7-15; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:2, 3:16; and Chapters 12-14; Romans 12; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18; Romans 8:26-27).
About the Bible
The Bible is God’s specific revelation to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural direction of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian belief and living. The Bible is entirely true and timeless (Matthew 24:35), without any mixture of error (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21,22; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5).
About Human Beings
People are made in the image of God, and as such we are to reflect the character of God in this world. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an inherent attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin” (Romans 5:18,19). Sin separates people from God and causes many problems in life. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and eternal separation from God in a place called Hell. The only remedy to man’s “sin problem” is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (Genesis 1:26, 27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 6:23; Isaiah 59:1,2).
Mankind is both “fallen” (Romans 3:23) and “alone” (Genesis 2:18). God has provided for our broken relationship with Him (falleness) through faith in His son, Jesus. God has provided for our need for human relationships (aloneness) through marriage, family, and the church (Matthew 22:37-40; Genesis 2:21-24; Psalm 68:4-6a; Matthew 16:18). We will make every effort to honor Christ by loving one another (John 13:34,35) and maintaining peace and unity in our marriages, families, and in the church (Ephesians 4:2,3).
About Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us through the blood of Jesus Christ. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we truly turn from our pride and self-ruled life to Jesus in faith, we are supernaturally saved by His Spirit. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith (Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9,10; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1; John 3:1-17).
About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation is for eternity. If you have been genuinely “born again” by the Spirit of God, you cannot “lose” your eternal life. Salvation is maintained by the power and grace of God, not the self-effort of man (John 10:29,30; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 10:10; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
