We believe that the Bible is God’s written revelation to man, and thus the 66 books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit
constitute the plenary (inspired equally in all parts) Word of God (1 Corinthians 2:7-14; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
We believe that the Word of God is an objective, propositional revelation (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13),
verbally inspired in every word (2 Timothy 3:16), absolutely inerrant in the original documents, and infallible.
Therefore, we believe that the Bible constitutes the final and ultimate rule of faith and practice
(Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
We believe in one and only one God, infinitely and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe that each Person of the Godhead is equal in essence and perfection and each executes distinct
and harmonious roles. Furthermore, we believe that God is Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of all life.
He is holy, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, immutable, and is rightfully deserving of all worship.
GOD THE FATHER - We believe in God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1; Nehemiah 9:6; Hebrews 11:3),
perfect in holiness (Leviticus 11:45; Isaiah 6:3), infinite in wisdom (Daniel 2:20-21; 1 Corinthians 3:19-20),
and measureless in power (2 Chronicles 20:6; Job 26:7-14; Ephesians 3:20).
He concerns Himself mercifully with the affairs of men (Psalm 8:3-5), He hears and answers prayer (Psalm 4:3; 1 John 5:14-15),
and He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (John 3:16-17; 14:6).
GOD THE SON - We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son (John 1:14; 3:16), through whom all things
came into being (John 1:3),and in whom all things are held together (Colossians 1:16-17). He was conceived
of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18), born of the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:23-25),
and is fully God and fully man (John 1:14, 18). Through His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15)
He fulfilled the divine law and in His substitutionary death on the cross fully paid for the sins of every single person
who would ever believe on Him (Hebrews 7:25-27). We believe in His bodily resurrection (Luke 24:1-7; Romans 6:9),
His ascension into heaven (Acts 1:9), His high priestly intercession for His people (Hebrews 7:25-26),
and His literal return (Titus 2:13; Acts 1:11).
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT - We believe in the Holy Spirit, who inspired men of old to write the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:20-21),
who enables people to understand the truth (John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13-14), who exalts Christ (John 16:14),
convicts people of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 14:26; 16:8-11), and regenerates (Titus 3:5).
We believe it is the Holy Spirit who adopts, seals, baptizes (Titus 3:5), sanctifies (2 Thessalonians 2:13),
and comforts those who believe in Jesus Christ (Acts 9:31),
and gifts each believer in order to help the church look more like Christ (Romans 12:6-8).
MAN – We believe that man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), that he sinned and thereby incurred
not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:6; Romans 5:12),
and that all human beings are sinners by nature and by choice (Romans 3:10-12, 23).
Therefore, we believe that every person is by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God,
is positively inclined to evil, and is therefore under the just condemnation of God
without defense or excuse (Romans 3:9-18; Ephesians 2:1-3).
SALVATION – We believe that salvation from sin and judgment is only through Christ
since Christ took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin,
fulfilled God’s law by His perfect obedience,
and through His death made full atonement for our sins (John 14:6; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26-27).
We believe that all who receive, by faith, Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are adopted by the Holy Spirit
into the family of God and, thereby, become children of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17).
We believe that a person who is justified is declared righteous in the sight of God by grace alone,
through faith alone, in Christ alone (Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 2:8-10).
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again;
that regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit who through the Word of God imparts spiritual life to the sinner
so as to secure our voluntary embrace and trust in the gospel
which is evidenced by the fruits of repentance, faith, newness of life, and growth in Christlikeness
(John 3:3-8; Romans 6:6; 10:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 2:1-10).
THE CHURCH – We believe that the Church is a living, spiritual body in which Christ is the Head
and of which only regenerated people are members (Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 5:23).
We believe a visible Church is a local assembly of believers in Jesus Christ, buried with Him in baptism (Romans 6:3-5),
who gather regularly, and are associated for the purpose of helping one another look more like Christ
through worship, instruction, fellowship, and evangelism
(Philippians 3:3; Jude 1:24-25; 2 Peter 3:18; Romans 15:5-6; Matthew 28:18-20).
We believe Christ has committed to the local Church the ordinances of Baptism and Communion to be observed
until He comes, and that Christ has committed to each Church the responsibility of spreading the gospel
to all nations and through church planting (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
We believe human betterment and social improvement are essential products
of the Gospel (Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Peter 4:9-11).
ATTITUDE TOWARD CIVIL GOVERNMENT - We believe that each church is independent and
autonomous, and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority.
Therefore, Church and State must be kept separate, as having different functions (Matthew 28:19-20;
Romans 13:1-7), each fulfilling its duties free from the dictation or patronage of the other.
We also believe it is the responsibility of the Church (individually and corporately) to live in submission
to the government (Romans 13:1; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14), as long as such submission does not violate
Scripture or conscience (Acts 5:29; 1 Corinthians 11:3), and to pray for those who are
in authority over us (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
We believe in the personal, visible and triumphant return of Jesus Christ to the world according to His
promise (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).
STATUS IN ETERNITY – We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust—the everlasting
blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting, conscious punishment of the lost (Matthew 25:46;
Revelation 20:11-15).