THE BIBLE

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We believe that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” By this, we believe that all sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the Word of God. The Word is without error in their original writings, written by man under the inspiration of God’s Spirit, and is the final authority in all we believe and do. (Mark 13:31; John 8:31-32, 10:35, 20:31; Acts 20:32; 2 Pet. 1:20-21)  

We believe in one God, Creator of Heaven, and Earth, who exists in three equally divine and sinless persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) who execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and salvation. 

We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and He saves from sin and hell all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Gen. 1:1, 26; Matt. 28:19; John 1:1-3, 4:24; Rom. 1:19-20; Eph. 4:5-6)   

We believe that Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son, born of the virgin Mary. We believe that He lived a sinless life, that he performed miracles, and that His teachings are true. He died in our place, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven, where He now represents us before the Father, from where He will one day visibly return to earth. (Matt. 1:18-25, 20:28; Luke 1:26-28; John 1:1, 20:28, 20:30-31; Acts 1:11; Rom. 5:6-8, 6:9-10, 8:46, 9:5; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 1:4; Heb. 7:25; 1 Pet. 2:21-23)  

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict mankind concerning sin, right living, and judgment. We believe that He draws us to Christ, gives us new life, sanctifies us (sets us apart), and empowers us. God’s Spirit lives in all who believe in Christ, and He continually helps, teaches, and guides us. His present work includes the distribution and operation of gifts, as He sees fit, to fortify the Body of Christ. (John 14:16-17, 26, 15:26-27, 16:9-14; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16, 6:19, 12:4- 11, 28-29; Gal. 5:22-26) 

We believe that all humankind began at creation and the will of God, that each person is “made in the image and likeness of God” by God’s direct power, will, and command; and not from any previously existing forms of life. That all humankind is descended from the historical persons, Adam, and Eve—the first parents of the entire human race. We believe that Adam and Eve disobeyed God (sinned) and thereby became subject to death (physical and spiritual) and, consequently, subjecting all prodigy of each human thereafter to each one die. (Genesis chapters 1-3; Mark 10:6; Romans 3:23 & 6:23)

We believe that because man sinned and thereby humankind incurred physical, spiritual, and eternal death—which is separation from God. All human beings are born with a sinful nature and are under condemnation because they are sinners by nature and choice. We believe that Jesus’ substitutionary death on a wooden cross paid the price of every sin that every person ever born has committed except for rejecting him as “Savior.”   

Those who repent and turn from sin to follow Jesus Christ as Savior are “born again” (John 3:3) “born of the Spirit,” delivered from condemnation, and receive new and eternal life. Scriptures clearly state that “All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13) and “If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved” (Romans 10:9). (Gen. 1:26, 3, 5:2; Ps. 51:7; Prov. 28:13; Eccles. 2:11; Jer. 17:9; John 1:13, 3:14, 3:16, 5:24, 5:30, 7:13, 8:12, 10:26; Rom. 3:19, 5:12, 8:1, 9:22; 2 Cor. 5:17; 2 Thess. 1:9; James 1:14; 1 John 1:9; Rev. 19:3, 20, 20:10, 14-15, 21:18). 

We believe that all Christians should repent of all known sin (Acts 17:30; 2nd Tim 2:19) for God hates sin and always wants what is best for his creation; to walk in holiness (dead to his or her former way of life), and be alive to Christ, living for the glory of God according to the truths of Scripture. The believer should honor Christ as Lord of all, in every aspect of his or her life. 

We should honor God with our time, talents, and possessions and strive to be conformed to the image of Christ, both individually and as a church; and this takes commitment and sacrifice (Luke 9:23). 

All these things are undergirded and developed through faithful worship and prayer, regular Bible reading, faithful church attendance and involvement, being involved in acts of service to others, discovering and deploying one’s gifts and evangelism (sharing one’s faith with nonbelievers). 

(Gen. 2:18-25; Lev. 18:22, 20:13; Matt. 15:18-20; John 14:15, 23-24; Rom. 1:26-28, 12:1-3; 1 Cor. 6:9-11, 10:31-33; 2 Cor. 9:6-9, Eph. 5:1-6:4; Heb. 12:1-2, 13:4; 1 John 2:3-6; Matt 28:18-24). 

We believe the Local Church is a gathering of committed, likeminded, local believers (within the worldwide “Body of Christ”) called out, assembled, organized, and mobilized for Worship, Fellowship, Acts of Service, Evangelism, Discipleship, and Biblical Accountability. We believe that a Christian is not to be nonchalant but committed and regularly involved in life and services of the church. 

As a nondenominational church, we practice that the local church is an independent and self-governing body responsible and accountable, first and foremost, to Christ (who is the Head of his church worldwide) as Savior and Lord; and next to its’ raised up and affirmed Elders and then to its faithful congregation and an external advisory council (of three wise men of Christian maturity). (Heb 10:25, Matt 16:18, Luke 22:18-20, 1 Cor. 11:17, Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5). 

We believe the local church is enjoined to practice the sacred ordinances of Baptism (Matt. 28:19) and the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19-20). 

Baptism signifies repentance and the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16), identifies the believer with Christ (Rom. 6:3- 8), and further unites one with Christ’s church (1 Cor. 12:13). We believe in public baptism, by immersion (where practical & desired), conducted willfully at age of consent and understanding. 

The Lord’s Supper is an occasion for reflection and celebration of Christ’s life and loving sacrifice (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26). Participation in the Lord’s Supper involves thanksgiving (1 Cor. 10:16) and sober self-examination with, at times, the confession of sins (1 Cor. 11:20-22, 27-29). Doing so on a regular basis is intended to emphasize the importance of Jesus’ death for us, “until He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26); and to exemplify the unity of the body of Christ (John 17). 

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ will visibly return to earth, in person, to establish His Kingdom. At that time, our bodies will be resurrected; all will be judged; the righteous (saved by the blood of Christ and faith in Christ) will enjoy eternal life with God, and the lost (those that have rejected Christ’s sacrifice and gift of mercy) will experience eternal damnation in a literal place called Hell. (Matt. 16:27; Mark 14:62; Luke 16 John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Phil. 3:20; 1 Thess. 4:15; 2 Tim. 4:1; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor. 4:5, 15; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Rev. 20:4-6, 11-15).