Statement of Faith
The Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word of God. The 66 books which
constitute the Bible are entirely reliable, inerrant, and truthful in the
original manuscripts. The Bible stands as the central authority over our lives,
our faith, and the direction of our church.
(II. Peter 1:21; II. Timothy 3:16)
The Trinity
Three persons eternally and equally share the one Divine
Nature. The Bible refers to these persons as the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit. God is both self-existent and personal.
(Genesis 1:1, 26; Matthew 28:19; John 14:10, 26,
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, the Son, was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
was born of the virgin Mary, and is fully God and fully human. He lived a
sinless life, died for the sins of all humankind, was resurrected bodily on the
third day, ascended into Heaven, and is coming again as the King and Judge.
Faith in Jesus Christ is the only provision that God has given for people
to be reconciled to him. Jesus’ life on earth also serves as the model for the
Christian life.
(Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18; Colossians 2:9; John 14:6; Acts 4:12)
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God. He indwells us at the moment we
place our faith in Christ. He regenerates us and empowers us to live an
effective Christian life by affirming our salvation, encouraging us and giving
us the strength to live a life that is pleasing to God, and personally
fulfilling us. The Holy Spirit also endows each believer with a unique spiritual
ability to serve the church and the world.
(John 14:16; Ephesians 1:19-20;
Baptism in the Holy
Spirit
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift from God as
promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers, and accompanies the new
birth. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a one-time act of God that places the new
believer into the body of Christ at the moment of their faith in Jesus Christ.
(Acts 2:38;
Salvation
Salvation is reconciliation with God through the atoning
work of Jesus Christ. God offers us salvation by His grace alone and we receive
it as a gift through personal faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ died for our
sins, according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary
sacrifice. All who believe in him
are justified on the grounds of His shed blood. This right of standing before
God must be received and cannot be earned. God freely offers salvation to all
people. All who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born-again of the
Holy Spirit and are thereby children of God and are eternally saved.
(Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:13, 2:8-9;
Water Baptism
Baptism in water is by immersion, and is a direct
commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism is for believers only (those who
accepted Jesus Christ through personal faith) as a testimony to their salvation.
Baptism in and of itself does not save. Therefore, only those who are old enough
to believe for themselves should be baptized.
(Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Acts 8:26-39;
Sanctification
The Bible teaches us that without holiness, no man can see
God and that we are called into a life of separation from all worldly and sinful
practices. We believe that sanctification is a definite, yet progressive, work
of grace commencing and continuing until the consummation of salvation, at which
time the old sin nature will be completely removed.
(Romans 12:1-2; James 4:4;
Humanity
Human beings are created in the image of God. As such, we
are unique among all of God’s creation. However, through the Fall of Man into
sin by Adam, spiritual and physical death came upon all humankind. As a result,
all human beings are born with a sinful nature and are now sinners by birth and
by choice, positively inclined to evil, and are therefore under just
condemnation to eternal ruin without defense or excuse. Therefore, humanity
lives in a state of alienation and profound need, which can only be satisfied by
reconciliation with God through Christ. Without
this reconciliation, all people stand under God’s righteous judgment.
Humanity, although fallen, maintains the image of God and is, therefore, still
dignified and unique. God continues to love us and reach out to us, even though
we are hostile to him. Believers in Jesus Christ receive a new nature that
becomes the foundation for a process of transformation.
(Genesis 2:17; Romans
Genesis 1:26-27)
The Church
The church is composed of all those in this present age who
place saving faith in Jesus Christ. This is called the universal church. The
church is not an institution, but a people. God wants all Christians to live out
their spiritual lives in a corporate context. This is called the local church.
This context of Christian love relationships is a crucial feature of our witness
for Christ as it reflects God’s character to the world. The local church is
God’s chosen instrument through which the message of salvation is spread to
all people. This mission is the central purpose for, the church. We are to carry
the Good News locally and worldwide and demonstrate the Gospel by relevant
social action.
(John 13:34-35;
Memorials
The Lord’s Supper is a memorial of the Death of Christ,
and only those who have been saved through faith in His atoning blood and are
walking in obedient fellowship with Him ought to partake of it.
(I. Corinthians 11:23-32)
Satan
Satan is the personal, spiritual adversary of God and
God’s followers. Satan actively opposes the work of the church and the
spiritual vitality of Christians. We therefore take seriously, but in a balanced
way, the reality of personal, spiritual opposition. Satan is doomed to final
defeat and judgment when Christ returns.
(Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 20)
Second Coming
This age will conclude with the Rapture of the Church,
followed by the Tribulation, The Second Coming of Christ, The Millennial Reign
of Christ, and the New Heavens and New Earth. At that time, Jesus Christ will
complete God’s plan to re-establish His just and righteous rule over all
humanity.
(Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 20)
The Afterlife
At the final judgment, God will assign all people their
eternal destinies-either life or judgment. Those who have responded to Jesus
Christ with saving faith will receive the eternal life they have already been
promised (John
(Matthew 25:46; Revelation 19:20; II. Thessalonians 1:5-10)