Core Beliefs

THE BIBLE

We believe that the Bible is God's written Word, uniquely inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is the trustworthy record of God's revelation, completely truthful in all it affirms. The Bible has authority over all human life. It teaches the truth about God, His creation, His people, His one and only Son, and the destiny of humankind. It also teaches the way of salvation and the life of faith.

GOD

We believe that there is but one living and true God, the maker and preserver of all things. God exists in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. These three are one in eternity, deity, and purpose; everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness.

JESUS

We believe that God was himself in Jesus Christ to reconcile people to God. Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; He joined together the deity of God and the humanity of humankind. Jesus was both truly God and truly human. For us, the Son of God suffered, was crucified, dead and buried. He is our Savior, the one perfect mediator between God and us. After His crucifixion and death, Jesus Christ rose victorious from the grave. He then ascended into heaven where He sits as our exalted Lord at the right hand of God the Father, where He intercedes on our behalf.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. Proceeding from the Father and the Son, He is one with them, the eternal Godhead; equal in deity, majesty, and power, He is God effective in Creation, in life, and in the church. The Incarnation and ministry of Jesus Christ were accomplished by the Holy Spirit. He continues to reveal, interpret, and glorify the Son. The Holy Spirit is the effective agent in our conviction, regeneration, sanctification, and glorification. He is our Lord's ever-present self, indwelling, assuring, and enabling the believer. In relation to the world He is the Spirit of truth, and His instrument is the Word of God.

HUMANKIND

We believe that God created human beings in His own image: innocent, morally free and responsible to choose between good and evil, right and wrong. By the sin of Adam, humans are corrupted in their very nature so that from birth they are inclined to sin. Humans are unable, by their own strength and work, to restore themselves in right relationship with God and to merit eternal salvation. By God's grace and help, people are enabled to do good works with a free will.

THE CHURCH

We believe that the church is created by God. The people of God make up its body and Jesus Christ is Lord and the Head of the church. The Holy Spirit is its life and power. The church is an organism and not an unchanging institution. It exists to fulfill the purposes of God in Christ. The church is a fellowship of the redeemed and the redeeming, preaching the Word of God and administering the sacraments according to Christ's instruction.

SALVATION

We believe that Jesus Christ has offered, once and for all, the one perfect sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. A new life and a right relationship with God are made possible through the redemptive acts of God in Jesus Christ, God, by His Spirit, acts to impart new life and put people into a relationship with Himself as they repent and their faith responds to His grace.

THE SACRAMENTS

We believe that water baptism and the Lord's Supper are the sacraments of the church commanded by Christ. They are means of grace through faith, tokens of our profession of Christian faith, tokens of our profession of Christian faith, and signs of God's gracious ministry toward us.

Baptism

We believe water baptism is a sacrament of the church, commanded by our Lord, signifying acceptance of the benefits of the atonement of Jesus Christ to be administered to believers, as declaration of their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. Baptism is a symbol of the new covenant of grace.

The Lord's Supper

We believe the Lord's Supper is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ's death. To those who rightly, worthily, and with faith receive it, the bread which we break is a partaking of the body of Christ; and likewise the cup of blessing is a partaking of the blood of Christ. The supper is also a sign of the love and unity that Christians have among themselves.

RESURRECTION

We believe in a bodily resurrection from the dead of both the just and the unjust; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. The resurrected body will be a spiritual body, but the person will be whole and identifiable. The Resurrection of Christ is the guarantee of resurrection unto life to those who are in Him.