What We Believe
The Bible
The Holy Bible is the authoritative inspired Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible, and inerrant.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25-26
God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are co-eternal.
Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; Luke 1:35; John 1:1,2,14, 10:30; Genesis 1:1,26, 27,3:22; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 9:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:4-6; Hebrews 3:7-11; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 5:7
Jesus Christ
Jesus is fully God and fully man. He came to earth, was conceived in the virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life. He died and rose again to reconcile all people to God, and to free them from the power of sin and the devil. He will return someday and consummate the building of His Kingdom. All who are his bride shall reign with Him. All who reject Him shall suffer eternal destruction.
Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1,14, 20:28; Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13; 1 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5-6; 1 Timothy 2:5
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian 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. Believers are to always seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
John 16:5-15; Romans 8:16, 23, 26, 27; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 44-47, 11:15-17, 19:1-6
Gift of The Holy Ghost
The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. The Bible’s lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters.
John 15:8; Romans 1:11, 12 :4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-40; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:16; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6-7; Hebrews 2:4; 1 Peter 4:10
Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2
Redemption
Man was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression he fell; his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21; Titus 2:14; Galatians 3:13
Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into their life by faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; John 14:6; Titus 3:5; Romans 3:23-24, 5:1, 6:23, 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Galatians 3:26; Hebrews 9:22; I Tim 2:4; 1 John 2
Jesus' Blood
The blood that Jesus Christ shed on the Cross of Calvary was sinless and is 100% sufficient to cleanse mankind of all sin. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be free from the penalty of sin, which is death.
1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 5:9; Colossians 1:20; Romans 3:10-12, 23, 5:9; John 1:29
Repentance
Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ, which allows us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Thus, through repentance we receive forgiveness of sins and appropriate salvation.
Acts 2:21, 3:19; John 6:37; 1 John 1:9
New Birth
In order to become a child of God, a person must be born again.
John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17
Sanctification
Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ’s character in us. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3; Romans 8:29, 12:1-2; Hebrews 2:1
