Statement of Faith

 

The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are the inspired, infallible Word of God, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of mankind, and the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life (Ps. 119; II Tim. 3:14-17; Heb. 4:12).

There is one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Gen. 1-2; Matt. 28:18-20; John 14:25-27; Eph. 4:4-6)

Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He manifested the kingdom of God through acts of love, the proclamation of the truth and the exhibition of a multitude of miracles. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Father, He is now our High Priest and Advocate (Matt. 1:18-23; Acts 2:22-24; Rom. 3:21-26, 8:34; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 1:1-3).

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and, during this age, to convict mankind of sin; regenerate the believing sinner; indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service (John 14:26, 16:7-14; Acts 1:8, 13:2; I Cor. 2:10-14, 12:3-11; Gal. 5:16-26).

Man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is therefore lost, and only through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can salvation and spiritual life be obtained (Gen. 1-3; Rom. 3:21-26; Eph. 2:1-22).

The shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for the justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ by faith are born of the Holy Spirit and thus become the children of God ( Rom. 6:1-23; Eph. 2:8-22; Col. 1:15-23; I John 5:11-13).

The true Church is composed of all such persons, who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ of which He is the Head (Acts 2:42-47; I Cor. 12; Eph. 2:19-20; Col. 1:18; I Pet. 2:9-10).

Water baptism by immersion soon after accepting Christ as personal Savior and Lord is a testimony of death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Matt. 3:13-17, 28:18-20; Acts 2:40-41, 8:35-39; Rom. 6:3-5).

The Lord’s Supper is a memorial service, setting forth in sacred and symbolic manner the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. All believers and only believers should share in it (Luke 22:7-19; I Cor. 11:17-34).

God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to his promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord (I Thess. 4:13-5:11; Revelation)

God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Followers of Christ have a binding stewardship in their possessions, gifts, and talents (Ps. 100, 104; Matt. 25:14-30; James 1:17; I Pet. 4:10)

It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).