Statement of Faith

This Statement of Faith represents a brief overview of what we believe and what we hold as doctrine of the Church.  It's purpose is not to divide, but unify all believers who desire to be disciples of Jesus Christ as well as members of our local body of Christians.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called-one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  -Ephesians 4:3-6

Doctrine of God and His Word

This is a brief description of what we believe about who God is and where His message to us is recorded.  

Holy Bible:  The Holy Bible, and only the Bible, is the authoritative Word of God.  It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths.  In its original writing it is inspired, infallible and inerrant.
(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25-26)

Trinity (Godhead):  There is one God, who created the heavens and the earth.  He is eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  These three are co-equal and co-eternal.
(Genesis 1:1; 1 John 5:7; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 3:7-11)

Doctrine of Jesus Christ

This is a brief description of who we believe Jesus Christ to be.  Jesus claimed all power and authority as well as being God's Son and our ransom for sin.

Jesus Christ:  Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Godhead.  On earth, Jesus was the 100% unique God-man.  He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life.  He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind and thus atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood.  He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father and will return again in power and glory.
(John 1:1, 14, 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5-6; 1 Timothy 2:5)

Virgin Birth:  Jesus Christ was conceived by God the Father through the Holy Spirit (the third person of the Godhead) in the virgin Mary's womb; therefore, He is the Son of God.
(Matthew 1:18, 25; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 7:14)

Jesus' Blood:  The Blood that Jesus Christ shed on the Cross of Calvary was sinless and is 100% sufficient to cleanse mankind of all sin.  Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be free from the penalty of sin, which is death.
(1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 5:9; Colossians 1:20; Romans 5:9; John 1:29; Hebrews 9:22)

Doctrine of Man

This is what we believe about mankind, from the time he was created to the time he allowed sin to enter the world and where his hope of reconciliation lies.

Redemption:  Man was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression he fell; his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
(Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21)

Doctrine of Salvation

This is an overview of what we believe about the gift of Salvation and our response as believers who receive it.  This description is not a checklist but rather a condition of our hearts to being obedient to the Word of God. Inclusive in this doctrine are the historical beliefs of the Christian Church, as it attempts to reflect the early Church found in the Book of Acts. This belief is encompassed in what we believe is "the most excellent way."  

THE GIFT
Salvation:  We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; his death, burial and resurrection.  Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human efforts.
(Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22; Titus 2:11)

OUR RESPONSE
Repentance:  Repentance is the comittment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ, which allows us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit.  Thus, through repentance, we receive forgiveness of sins and appropriate salvation.
(Acts 2:21, 3:19; 1 John 1:9; Mark 1:15; Romans 2:4)

Jesus Christ Indwells All Believers (Belief & Confession):  Christians are people who have confessed with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed in their heart that God raised him from the dead and have thus invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come and live inside them by His Holy Spirit.  They relinquish the authority of their lives over to Him thus making Jesus the Lord of their lives as well as Savior.  They put their trust in what Jesus accomplished for them when He died, was buried and rose again from the dead.
(John 1:12, 14:17, 23, 15:4; Romans 8:11, 10:9-10; Revelation 3:20)

Water Baptism:  Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized by immersion in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  An important act of obedience that expresses identification in Christ and a public expression of new life because Jesus has forgiven our sins.
(Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21-22; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-27)

Doctrine of the Christian Life

This is a brief description of the work of the Holy Spirit in and through our lives after receiving the free gift of salvation and what we do as an ongoing ordinance of gratitude and obedience.

Regeneration:  For anyone to know God, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.  This occurs at salvation.
(John 6:44, John 6:63, 65; Titus 3:5; Ezekiel 36:26-27)

Sanctification:  Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God's Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ's character in us.  It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
(1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3; Romans 8:29, 12:1-2; Hebrews 2:11)

The Lord's Supper:  A unique time of Communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice (the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross.
(Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25)

Doctrine of the Church

This is what we believe about the Church of Jesus Christ and our role in it.

The Church:  The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Holy Spirit, with a divine appointment for the fulfillment of Jesus' great commission.  Every person who is born of the Spirit is an integral part of the church as a member of the body of believers.  There is a spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23)

Doctrine of the Promised Blessing

This is an overview of the promised blessing from God that His believers have available through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  These are offered because of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

Baptism In The Holy Spirit:  Given at Pentecost, it is the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after His ascension to empower the church to preach the Gospel throughout the whole Earth.
(Joel 2:28-29; Mathew 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5, 2:1-4, 17, 38-39, 8:14-17, 10:38, 44-47, 11:15-17, 19:1-6)

Healing Of The Sick:  Healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus, and included in the commission of Jesus to His disciples.  It is given as a sign which is to follow believers.  It is also part of Jesus' work on the cross and one of the gifts of the Spirit.
(Psalm 1:3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; James 5:14-16; 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28; Romans 11:29)

God's Will For Provision:  It is the Father's will for believers to become whole, healthy and successful in all areas of life.  But because of the fall of man, many may not receive the full benefits of God's will while on Earth.  That fact, though, should never prevent all believers from seeking the full benefits of Christ's provision in order to better serve others.

-Spiritual (John 3:3-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 10:9-10)
-Mental & Emotional (2 Timothy 1:7, 2:11; Philippians 4:7-8; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3)
-Physical (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24)
-Financial (Joshua 1:8; Malachi 3:10-11; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; Deutoronomy 28; Psalm 34:10, 84:11; Philippians 4:19)

Doctrine of the Afterlife

This is what we believe about the destinies of both believers and unbelievers after life on Earth has ended.

Heaven:  Heaven is a reward for believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
(Matthew 5:3, 12, 20, 6:20, 19:21, 25:34; John 17:24; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; 1 Peter 1:4)

Hell:  After living one life on Earth, the unbelievers will be judged by God and sent to hell (hades) where they will be tormented with the Devil and the fallen angels.  At the end of all things, hell is cast into the lake of fire.
(Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9-11, 20:12-15, 21:8)

Doctrine of End Times

This is what we believe will occur at the end of the age.  

Second Coming:  Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to Earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom.  This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures.
(Matthew 24:30, 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7)