What we believe…
THE BIBLE
We believe that the entire Bible is completely and verbally inspired, is the product of human authors guided by the Holy Spirit, and is preserved in the many modern translations that uphold the accuracy and clarity of the original writings. We believe that the Bible is without error; that it is the true center of Christian unity; and that it is the ultimate standard by which all practices, beliefs, and opinions should be tried.
GOD
We believe there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent spirit. We believe He is the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; that He is indescribably glorious in holiness; and that He is worthy of all possible worship, confidence, and love. We believe that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit— who are equal in every divine perfection and execute distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
JESUS CHRIST
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin, Mary. We believe He lived an absolutely sinless life, and His death on the cross as the Lamb of God was a voluntary, substitutionary sacrifice to pay the full penalty of our sins and thus provide for the redemption of fallen and sinful men. We believe He arose bodily from the dead, and ascended into Heaven where He now sits exalted at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest, ever interceding for us.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son and is of the same nature. We believe that that He was active in creation and that He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled. We believe that He convicts unbelievers of sin, draws them to God, and bears witness to the truth of the gospel in preaching and personal testimony. We believe that at the moment of salvation, He seals and gives spiritual gifts, and after guides, teaches, convicts, sanctifies, and helps the believer. We further believe that the sign/revelatory gifts of the Holy Spirit have fulfilled their purpose and have ceased, and therefore are not applicable to the work of the Holy Spirit in today's church.
HUMANITY’S FALL
We believe that the first man, Adam, was perfectly created in innocence, but chose to rebel against God and His law, resulting in sin entering the world. Because of Adam’s sin, humanity is now born in a sinful state and chooses to rebel against God as well; all mankind is therefore under God’s just condemnation, without defense or excuse.
SALVATION
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again, and that faith in Jesus is the only condition of salvation; salvation is not bestowed because of any righteous works which we have done, but according to His mercy. We believe that at the moment of salvation the gospel believer is a new creation in Christ Jesus; salvation is instantaneous, not a process. We believe that at salvation, the one dead in trespasses and sins is made a partaker of the divine nature, is justified before God based on Christ’s imputed righteousness, and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that salvation is brought about solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that the evidence of salvation is seen through the fruit of the Spirit. We believe that those who are saved are eternally secure in their salvation.
THE LOCAL CHURCH
We believe that a local church is a congregation of immersed believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship in the gospel. We believe that the local church will observe the ordinances of baptism and communion; will be governed by God’s Word, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges given to them; and will be led by pastors and deacons whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe the true mission of the church is the evangelism of unbelievers and the discipleship of believers. We hold that the local church should be self-governing, free from a hierarchy of individuals or organization, because Christ is the ultimate Head of the Church, leading us through the Holy Spirit. We believe that true churches should cooperate with each other in contending for the faith, in fellowship, and for the furtherance of the gospel.
FUTURE EVENTS
We believe that the return of Christ is imminent and that prior to His judgement of the world through the seven years of the Tribulation that Christ will rapture His people, both living and dead. We believe that following this, Christ will establish a literal kingdom on earth where He will fulfill promises made to the nation of Israel, and will reign for 1000 years, before ultimately putting all enemies under his feet and dwelling with His people for eternity.