STATEMENT OF FAITH
We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority and play an important role in the lives of believers. (See Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, Mark 1:9-11, John 1:1, John 10:30, Romans 8:9-11, Ephesians 4:4-6, 2 Corinthians 13:14, James 2:19.)
We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood on the cross, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. (See Matthew 1:23, Matthew 24, John 1:1-4 and 1:14 and 1:29, Acts 1:11 and 2:22-24, Romans 8:34, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 2:5-11, Hebrews 1:1-4; 4:15.)
We believe the Spirit of God resides within a believer and empowers, comforts, guides, and works to transform believers into Christ’s image and yield godly results. When allowed to guide one’s life, the Holy Spirit can free people from anything preventing them from living a victorious, purpose-filled, productive life. The baptism in the Holy Spirit releases the fullness of the Spirit in the believer’s life and is evidenced by the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit. (See Joel 2:28-29, Matthew 3:11, Mark 16:17, Acts 1:5, 2:1-4, 38-39, 8:14-17, 10:38, 44-47, 11:15-17, 19:1-6, Galatians 5:1 and 16-26, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 2 Corinthians 3:17.)
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God revealing the love of God and His redemptive plan for the world. The Bible is the source and standard of all doctrine, instruction, correction, and reproof. It contains all the principles, promises, and provisions God has made available to believers. It is eternal and unchanging. Walking in obedience to God’s Word brings freedom, security, and abundant life; renewing one’s mind with God’s Word brings transformation and the ability to know God’s will. (See Psalm 19:7-11 and 119, Isaiah 55:11, Matthew 24:35, Luke 6:46-48, Romans 12:2, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Hebrew 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21, Revelation 22:18-19.)
We believe every person was made in the image of God, is loved by Him, and was created to have fellowship with Him. We believe God intentionally and immutably creates each person as either male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. We believe that each person is uniquely created with value and purpose. (See Genesis 1:26-30, 2:7, 18-22, Leviticus 26:12, Jeremiah 1:5 and 29:11, Matthew 19:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Galatians 3:26-29, Romans 1:25-27.)
We believe eternal salvation is received by personal repentance, belief in Jesus Christ, and personal acceptance of Him into one’s life as Lord and Savior. We believe God’s love is unconditional and unending and extends to anyone who would come to Him. Following a decision to follow Christ, we believe God desires believers to be water baptized as an outward sign of what God has already done in the individual’s life and is a public testimony to all that the person now belongs to Jesus. (See Matthew 3:13 and 16-17 and 28:19, Acts 2:38 and 8:12 and 8:36-38 and 10:47-48, Romans 6:3-5 and 10:8-13, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 John 1:9 and 2:2.)
Just as God exists in three persons, we believe all mankind is made in God’s image, having spirit, soul, and body, and that a person’s spiritual, emotional, and physical beings are interdependent. God desires wholeness in mind, body, and spirit and makes way for wholeness through the shed blood of Jesus and His Word. ( See Proverbs 23:7, Isaiah 61, Luke 4:18-19, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 3 John 2.)
We believe God has given all people unique gifts and abilities to accomplish a God-ordained purpose and that it is never too late to experience this purpose. God’s love and invitation to fulfill His purpose are available to anyone who would surrender their life to Him, regardless of their past choices. (See Jeremiah 1:5 and 29:11, Psalm 139:13-18, Romans 12:6-21, Philippians 1:25, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 4:10-11, 1 John 1:9.)
We believe marriage is defined in the Bible as a covenant, a sacred bond between one man and one woman, instituted by and publicly entered before God. We believe marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman, which has been the Biblical definition of marriage for all of human history. In marriage, husband and wife become one both spiritually and physically. Sexual intimacy was instituted and sanctioned by God to be enjoyed only within the covenant relationship of marriage. (See Genesis 2:22-24, Leviticus 18:22, Malachi 2:14-16, Matthew 19:4-6, Romans 1:25-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20 and 7:2-5, Hebrews 13:4.)