Scripture
We believe in the verbal (every word), plenary (complete), divine inspiration of the original manuscripts of the Holy Bible, as found in the Old and New Testaments. We believe that they were transmitted by God to humanity without error and were intended to be the supreme guide and standard for faith and practice.
While we believe that God has miraculously preserved His written Word and that the English Bible is extremely accurate and indeed the Word of God, we do not believe that any particular translation is verbally inspired.
Scripture: Isaiah 40:8; Luke 24:13–27; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:16–21
The True God
We believe in one true God, eternally existing in three persons, equal in every divine attribute and one in essence, known to humanity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that each is coequal and coeternal, and that each has an individual identity and distinct responsibilities.
Scripture: Genesis 1:1, 26; Exodus 20:2–3; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1–4; 5:17–27; 10:30; 16:7–8; Acts 5:3–4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:6–11
The Father
We believe the Father orders and disposes all things according to His own purposes, and that He alone is sovereign. In His sovereignty, He neither authors nor condones sin. We believe He has known from eternity past those who would accept His offer of salvation. He saves all who come to Him through Jesus Christ, adopting them as sons/daughters and becoming their Father.
Scripture: Genesis 1:1–31; Habakkuk 1:13; John 1:12; 6:44; 8:38–47; Romans 8:15, 28–30; 11:36; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:4–6, 9–11; 3:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14; Hebrews 12:5–9
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, being true God and true man. He lived a sinless life; that He died on the cross, shedding His blood as a substitutionary sacrifice to provide atonement for the sins of all mankind. He arose bodily from the grave and ascended to Heaven. He now resides at the right hand of the Father, where He intercedes on behalf of believers.
Scripture: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 1:26–38; 23:22–47; John 20:10–29; 21:5–15; Romans 5:10–11; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:6; 3:16; Hebrews 4:15; 7:24–25; 9:11–15; 10:9–12; 12:2; 1 John 2:1
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit restrains evil, convicts of sin, and bears witness to the truth of the Gospel. He is the agent of the new birth, indwelling every believer at the moment of conversion and baptizing him into the Body of Christ. He seals the believer and equips him for service with spiritual gifts. He comforts and helps the believer as they live out their faith.
Scripture: Matthew 28:19; John 3:5; 7:38–39; 15:26; 16:7–14; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 12:7–13; Ephesians 2:13–14; 4:30; 5:17–18; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; Titus 3:4–6
Creation and Man’s Fall
We believe God created all things by direct act in six literal twenty-four hour days, and that man was the special creation of God, made in His image to rule on the earth. Man, in the person of Adam, was created in innocence but, fell into sin through voluntary transgression. The result of this sin is physical and spiritual death, which is separation from God. Every person is born with a sinful nature and becomes a willful sinner through personal choice, and is without excuse before God.
Scripture: Genesis 1:1–3:24; Psalm 51:5; 58:3; Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Romans 1:20; 3:10–26; 5:10–21; 6:23
Satan
We believe Satan is a real being, created by God as the Angel Lucifer; that Satan rebelled against God in an attempt to usurp God’s sovereign position leading part of the angelic host into rebellion with him; that he currently leads his fallen host in the deception of mankind and rules as the unholy god of this age; that one day Satan and his followers will face eternal judgment in a literal place called Hell.
Scripture: Job 1:6–7; Ezekiel 28:11–19; Isaiah 14:12–21; Matthew 4:1–11; 25:41; John 8:44; 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 11:13–15; 1 Peter 5:8–9; Revelation 12:3–9; 20:1–3, 7–10
Salvation
We believe that escape from the condemnation of sin and restoration of fellowship between humanity and God is provided solely through the finished work of Christ on the cross. No works, no matter how good, can make salvation more secure. This justification is offered to all on the basis of grace and must be accepted individually by faith, in response to conviction of sin and repentance toward God. All who accept Jesus Christ as Savior are eternally secure.
Scripture: John 3:14–18; 10:27–29; Acts 4:10–12; 16:30–32; 20:20–21; Romans 5:1, 9; 8:15, 38–39; 1 Corinthians 15:1–4; Ephesians 2:8–9; 1 Timothy 4:10; Titus 3:4–7; Hebrews 10:4–14; 1 Peter 1:18–19; 2:24
Sanctification
We believe in the sanctification of the believer, who is set apart for the Master’s use. The believer is positionally sanctified at the moment of salvation and progressively sanctified through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. The believer will one day be perfectly sanctified when freed from the sinful nature and given a glorified, eternal body.
Scripture: John 16:12–14; 17:17; Acts 20:32; Romans 6:1–22; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30; 6:11; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:16–17; Ephesians 5:26–27; Philippians 3:20–21; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 2:11; 10:10, 14; 1 John 3:2
The Church and its Mission
We believe the church is a New Testament institution established by Jesus Christ to accomplish His work in this age. Its mission of making disciples is set forth in the Great Commission. The church represents the living spiritual body of Christ, who is its head, and His future bride. It includes all believers from Pentecost until the rapture and is expressed through local assemblies of baptized believers who gather for worship, fellowship, and service.
Each local church is self-governing and answerable only to Christ. It is led by pastors and deacons and observes the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is by immersion for believers, and the Lord’s Supper is a commemoration reserved for those walking in obedience.
Scripture: Matthew 28:16–20; Acts 2:28–47; 8:30–39; Romans 6:3–5; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 11:26–34; 12:14–27; Ephesians 1:22–23; 4:11–15; 5:23–32; Colossians 1:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; 1 Timothy 3:10–15
Holiness
We believe God’s children are called to be separate from wickedness, living lives of holiness as unto God; that separation applies to the individual as well as the church body; that separation entails avoidance of worldly practices in obedience to the direct commands of Scripture and in subjection to the conscientious application of biblical principles and requires the believer to refrain from alliances or fellowship with groups or individuals which deny the basic fundamentals of the faith or choose to walk in open defiance of clear commands of Scripture. Such would include evangelicals who practice or tolerate ecumenical evangelism and inclusive fellowship with groups holding unsound doctrines. We oppose the charismatic movement in all its various manifestations.
Scripture: Amos 3:3; Matthew 18:15–17; Romans 12:1–2; 16:17–18; 2 Corinthians 6:14–18; Ephesians 5:11–12; Colossians 3:1–17; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14–18; Titus 3:10–11; 1 Peter 1:13–16; 1 John 2:15–17
Marriage
We believe that God’s Word upholds the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman for life. We believe that intimate sexual activity is to occur only within this covenant. Any deviation from this design is contrary to God’s will.
Scripture: Matthew 19:5–6; Genesis 2:24; Leviticus 18:1–30; Romans 1:26–29; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Hebrews 13:4
Future Kingdom
We believe in the personal, imminent, bodily, pre-tribulational, and premillennial return of Christ to call away the church. The dead in Christ will rise first, followed by living believers. This will be followed by the judgment seat of Christ and the tribulation. Christ will then return to establish His millennial kingdom. The unrighteous will ultimately face judgment and eternal punishment, while Christ will reign eternally with the righteous in Heaven.