What We Believe
God
we believe that there is only one true and living God. He is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. God eternally exists in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each is a distinct Person, but all of one essence and all have the same nature, perfection and attributes. Each is worthy of precisely the same worship, confidence, and obedience. (Genesis 1:1-3, 26, 27; Matthew 3:16, 17; John 1, 14, 10:30, 14:26, 15:26; Matthew 28:19; Psalm 90:2)
Jesus Christ
we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with God, the Father. Jesus Christ in the flesh was both God and man. He was born of a virgin. He lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of His people by being crucified to His death on the cross. He died and shed His blood to become substitution atonement for the sins of His people. He rose from the dead bodily after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to His Father’s right hand in heaven, where He is the Head of the church and intercedes for believers. He will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 1:22-23; Luke 1:26-33, 22:20, 24:46; Romans 1:3-4; Hebrews 4:14-15; Isaiah 9:6; Acts 1:9-11; John 1:1-5, 14:10-20)
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is the divine Helper, Assistant, Counselor, Convector, Comforter, and Instructor of the believer. He is present in the world to make mankind aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation, thereby baptizing him and permanently indwelling him and sealing him in salvation for all eternity. He provides the believer with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. (2 Corinthians 3:17; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:13-14, 5:18; John 16:1-13, 14:16-27; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 12:1-11; Galatians 5:25; Titus 3:5; Matthew 3:11)
God’s Word
we believe that the Bible is God’s Word. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. God’s Word is inerrant (without error) in the original writings. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and Christian living. God’s Word is a living Word. It is the sole authority for life. (2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105, 119:160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; Hebrews 4:12)
Man
we believe that man is the direct creation of God. Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. As the supreme object of God’s creation, we were designed for holiness. However, the sin of Adam catapulted creation into a fallen state, and forced all his descendants into depravity, both physically and spiritually. Therefore, all of us are marred by rebellion and disobedience toward God, which is SIN. Sin separates mankind from God and causes many problems in life. (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 8:3-6; Romans 3:10, 3:23, 5:12, 8:18-23; Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1-2)
Salvation
we believe that all who, through repentance and in faith, receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior are born again by the Holy Spirit and thus become children of God. Salvation is God’s free gift to us. Salvation involves redemption, regeneration, sanctification and glorification. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, His perfect obedience is credited to us so that God sees us as the righteousness of Christ. (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 10:9-10; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:1, 7-11; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22; John 17:16-22; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19; John 14:6, 1:12; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5)
Eternal Security
we believe that God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ. If you have made a genuine commitment of faith in Jesus, you cannot lose your salvation. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by self-effort of the Christian. God’s grace and power enable us to persevere in faith until the end. (John 10:29; Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 10:14; 2 Timothy 1:12)
Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15)
// Ordinances
Baptism
Baptism is a picture and an illustration—a symbolic act. Baptism by immersion best illustrates the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ on our behalf and our subsequent faith in Him. It is not necessary for salvation, but is strongly associated with salvation as it best illustrates our new identity with Jesus Christ.
We believe in believer’s baptism. A person must first exercise faith in Jesus Christ, believing that He died for their sins, was buried, and rose from the dead. An infant or person who does not understand God’s plan of salvation cannot make that kind of commitment. The Scriptural order is belief first followed by baptism. Baptism is limited to those who have personally believed in Jesus Christ as Savior. (Mark 1:9-11; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:12; Matthew 3:13-17; Colossians 2:12)
Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of the church. It was instituted when the Lord had the Passover meal before His crucifixion. We observe the Lord’s Supper on a regular basis in remembrance of Jesus Christ atonement for our sins. It is a proclamation of His death and an assurance of His second coming. We ask only those who have made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ to participate in the Lord’s Supper. The elements of bread and grape juice are used as symbols of Christ’s body that was broken and His blood that was shed for the remission of our sins. (1 Corinthians 11:21-32, 5:11-13; Matthew 26:29)