OUR BELIEFS

We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—one in being, essence, and nature. The three persons of this Trinity are equal in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfections. God is the Creator of the universe. He has always existed, unchanging and without beginning or end. He is holy, loving, merciful, forgiving, compassionate, just, and will judge the world in righteousness.

We believe that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, was written by men divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction, and is completely true and trustworthy. All Scripture points to Jesus Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.

We believe that humanity was created in the image of God and was originally innocent from sin. Yet by their free choice, Adam and Eve sinned sinned against God. Because Adam is the head of the human race, his fall and spiritual death became the fall and spiritual death of every single human being. Having inherited this disease of sin, all human beings are now corrupt by nature, enslaved, and dead to sin. As a result, we are unable to please God or come to God apart from His grace.

We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He is fully man and fully God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to the Virgin Mary. We believe that Jesus accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross in our place and that our justification is made sure by His physical resurrection from the dead. We believe that Christ ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father where He intercedes on our behalf. We believe that Jesus will return one day to judge all men and will establish His kingdom on Earth, ruling and reigning forever.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He inspired men of old to write the Scriptures. He exalts Christ, enables men to understand truth, and convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He affects the new birth, baptizes every new believer into the body of Christ at conversion, and seals them until the day of redemption. He sanctifies and comforts believers, and He bestows spiritual gifts upon the church for its edification and the glory of Christ.

Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who repent of their sin and trust in Jesus Christ, who by His own blood shed on the cross, obtained eternal redemption for the believer. Salvation is by grace alone through faith in Christ alone.

We believe that everyone who is truly redeemed is kept by God’s power, and is thus secure in Christ forever. We believe the Bible teaches that there is nothing man can do to earn his own salvation, and there is nothing he can do to lose it either. If we are truly in Christ, He is faithful to keep us until the end. This assurance of salvation produces in believers a joyful obedience rather than sinful indulgence.

We believe that the church, which is the body and bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all people who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the head of the church, and we are members of His body.

While the church is a universal body made up of all believers from every tribe, tongue, and nation throughout history, we believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament. Such local churches should be independent, autonomous bodies of believers who are led by pastors, yet ultimately operate under the headship and authority of Jesus Christ.

We recognize believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper as the two scriptural ordinances of the local church and a means of testimony for believers in this age.

The mission of the church is to preach the Gospel to every tongue, tribe, and nation (starting with our next-door neighbors), baptizing and teaching them to follow Jesus, gathering them into churches, and enabling them to fulfill their Christian calling among their own people. The ultimate goal of the church’s mission is to see God create for Himself a group of worshippers who will glorify His name through all of eternity.