What we believe (Statement of Faith)

1. ABOUT GOD

God is the living Creator and Ruler of the universe who created us for an ongoing personal relationship with Him. He eternally exists in three Persons as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All are co-equal and are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes and perfections, and worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence and obedience.

Gen. 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matt. 28:19; Mark 12:29; John 1:1-4, 14, 18; II Cor. 13:14; I Peter 1:2.

2. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

He is the Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to the virgin Mary. He is true God and true man. By offering his sinless life as a sacrifice, he brought salvation to all people. He arose from the dead to conquer the power of sin and death. He now lives in Heaven and will return again as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Master of all creation. Jesus is the creator and fulfillment of all our hopes and dreams.

Isa. 9:6; Isa. 7:14, Matt. 1:18, 25; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11;Rom. 1:3-4; I Cor. 15:3-4; Heb. 4:14,15; I Tim. 6:14,15; Titus 2:13; Phil. 2:6-11; Rev. 1:4-8.

3. ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives within each believer from the moment of his or her salvation, thereby assuring their redemption from the penalty of sin and baptizing them into the one body of Christ. He gives each believer a spiritual gift or gifts. He provides each believer with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.

John 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 5:3-4; Rom. 8:22-27; I Cor. 2:9-13; 3:16; 6:19-20; 12:4-13; II Cor. 1:21-22; 3:17-18; Gal. 3:14; 5:22-26; Eph. 1:13; 2:22;4:30; 5:18.

4. ABOUT THE BIBLE

The Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is God’s Word to us. It is fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is a living document made relevant to us through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth and the final authority for Christian belief and living.

Psalm 119:105; Prov. 30:5; Mk. 12:36; Lk. 25-27, 44; Acts 1:16; 17:2-3; 18:28; 26:22-23; 28:23; II Tim. 1:13; 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21.

5. ABOUT PEOPLE

People were originally created in the image of God. That image was altered by choices made by the original man and woman. Yet, people are still the supreme object of God’s creation and love, and are intended to celebrate and enjoy God’s goodness. However, all people, by their inherent nature and by their choice, are disobedient toward God in attitude and action, which is sin. As a result, people are separated from God spiritually and physically and have been rendered unable to please Him.

Gen. 1:27; 2:16-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 14:1-3; 8:3-6; 51:5; Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1-2; Rom. 1:18, 32: 3:10-19; 5:12, 19, 23; 10:9.

6. ABOUT SALVATION

Salvation is God’s gift, through the work of Jesus, offered to restore His relationship with His people. It is totally a work of God’s grace, and cannot be earned. To receive this gift, and to be made eternally right with God, we must realize our need for God and turn to Him and, by faith, believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and, by faith, trust in and accept the death and resurrection of Jesus as the perfect and only payment for our sins.

John 1:12-13, 3:3-16; 5:24; 10:28-29; Acts 3:19; 17:30; 16:31; Rom. 3:21-28;5:1; 6:23; Gal. 3:26; Eph. 2:8-10; Titus 2:11; 3:3-8; I Tim. 1:15; 6:12;I Pet. 1:23; II Pet. 1:4-11; Heb. 5:7-9; Rev. 1:5.

7. ABOUT ETERNITY

People were created to exist forever and will either exist eternally in Heaven with God through salvation, or will be eternally separated from God in Hell because of sin!

John 3:16; 5:28-29; Matt. 10:28; 18:8-9, 25, 41, 46; Mark 9:43-49; Luke 16:19-26; 23:42; Rom. 6:23; 8:17-18; II Cor. 5:8; II Thes. 1:6-9; Phil. 1:23; Rev. 20:15.