In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.

Statement of Faith

GOD THE FATHER

We believe in God the Father – an infinite, personal spirit; perfect in holiness, justice, wisdom, power, and love.  We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of each person, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves all who come to Him through Jesus Christ from sin and death.  (Exodus 34:6-7Isaiah 40:21-31John 3:16-17)

JESUS CHRIST

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit.  We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe that He is 100% God and 100% man. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, continual intercession for His people and personal visible return to earth.  (Philippians 2:6-8Colossians 1:15-20Hebrews 9:24-281 Corinthians 15:1-11)

THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the Holy Spirit, sent from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and sent to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ.  We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ and that He is our helper, teacher and guide. (John 14:15-2116:5-16Ephesians 1:13-14)

THE TRINITY

We believe that there is one living and true God who exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that these are equal in every divine perfection and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.  (Matthew 3:16-1728:19-20Ephesians 4:5)

THE BIBLE

We affirm that the Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, is alone the only infallible, inspired Word of God, and that its authority is ultimate, final, and eternal. It cannot be added to, subtracted from, or superseded in any regard. The Bible is the source of all doctrine, instruction, correction, and reproof. It contains all that is needed for guidance in godliness and practical Christian conduct. (2 Timothy 3:16-172 Peter 1:20-21)

SALVATION

We believe that all people are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation  (Romans 1-3).  We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ alone (apart from works) as their Savior are made new by the Holy Spirit. They are then reconciled to God, forgiven, justified, and will spend eternity in heaven.  (Romans 3:23-4:7; 5:126:23Titus 3:4-8Ephesians 2:8-9)

THE LOCAL CHURCH

We believe that the church is the body of Christ on earth and a movement of disciple-making disciples. As such, every believer should be identified with a local church for the purpose of mutual encouragement, spiritual growth, and accountability.

1 Corinthians 12:12–31; Ephesians 4:11–16; Colossians 1:18–20, Colossians 3:12–25; 1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 10:24–25

DISCIPLESHIP

We believe that all disciples should continually grow as (1) worshipers, knowing, loving, and obeying God above all else; (2) family members, committed to our aspiring multiethnic family; (3) servants, gladly giving of themselves for the good of others; (4) stewards, managing God’s gifts for God’s purposes; and (5) witnesses, proclaiming Christ in word and deed.

Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 4:19, Matthew 12:46–48, Matthew 28:18–20; Philippians 2:5–7; 1 Peter 4:10

THE ORDINANCES

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: Baptism and Communion.

BAPTISM

We believe that baptism by immersion is a church ordinance that represents a person’s first public act of confession, repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.

Matthew 3:6, Matthew 13–17; Acts 2:38-41, Acts 22:16; Romans 6:4–11; 1 Peter 3:21

COMMUNION

We believe that Communion was instituted by Christ to commemorate His death.  It is for the purpose of remembrance of Christ’s payment for our sin. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.  (Matthew 28:16-201 Corinthians 11:23-32)

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

We believe that Christian marriage is a sacred institution ordained by God for the happiness of mankind and the propagation of the human race. It is the spiritual and physical union of one man and one woman; this is the only legitimate sexual relationship according to scripture (Genesis 2:24-25Matthew 19:4-6Ephesians 5:22-33Romans 1:18-32). Accordingly, we affirm this biblical view of marriage as the only legitimate form of marriage.

END TIMES

We believe in the personal, visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ when he will establish His Kingdom on earth.  We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal well being of the righteous and the endless suffering of the wicked.  (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:32 Thessalonians 1:5-12Romans 14:9-12)