A. What We Believe About the Bible
The entire Bible, in the original manuscripts, is without error, was verbally inspired of God, and is our absolute authority (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:21). We believe that scripture originated with God and that it was given through the writings of men chosen by God. When correctly interpreted the Scriptures are trustworthy and fully truthful in all they affirm. They are the unique, full and final authority on all matters of faith and practice, and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God. In practice the Bible must be followed and obeyed through the power of the Holy Spirit. To believe and obey the Scriptures is to believe and obey God.
B. What We Believe About God
We believe in one living, true and holy God eternally existing in three distinct persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and each person is fully God, and there is only one God. Each of these three persons (referred to as the Trinity) possesses equally all the attributes of deity and the characteristics of personality. God is the creator and preserver of all things. He is infinite in being and perfection, and His goodness is everlasting. By His sovereign power He is operating throughout history to fulfill His redemptive purposes, and by His providence He continues to sustain His creation. God is self-existent and is in need of nothing. God exists and acts for His own purposes and glory. (Is 44:6,8,24; Is 45:5,6,18,21,22; Mt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14; Jn 1:1-4,14,18)
C. What We Believe About Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man. He is the eternal second person of the Trinity who was united forever with a true human nature by a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He was begotten of the Father, not made. He lived a life of perfect obedience by the Father and voluntarily atoned for the sins of all people by dying on the cross as their substitute, thus satisfying the divine justice of God and accomplishing reconciliation. Through His act of righteousness He secured salvation for all who put their trust in Him alone. Jesus Christ was raised from the dead in the same body, in which He lived and died. He ascended into heaven where He intercedes for his people and rules as Lord of all creation. He shall come again to earth, physically and visibly, to judge the living and the dead, and will consummate His sovereign rule and the eternal plan of God. (Mt 1:23; Lk 1:35; Jn 10:15,30; Phil 2:5-9; 1 Tim 2:5; Jn 1:14; Rom 1:3-4)
D. What We Believe About the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit was sent into the world by the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to apply to mankind the saving work of Jesus Christ. He enlightens the minds of sinners, awakens in them recognition of their need for a savior, and regenerates them. At the point of salvation, He permanently indwells every believer to become the source of assurance, strength and wisdom, and uniquely endows each believer with His gifts for the building up of the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit guides each believer in understanding and applying the truth of Scripture. His power and control are appropriated by faith, making it possible for the believer to live a life of Christ-like behavior and character and to bear fruit to the glory of God. (Mt 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; Rom 8:9-11; 1 Cor 2:10-11; 3:16; 12:4-6; Eph 4:4-6)
E. What We Believe About Man
We believe that man (male and female; “he,” hereafter) was created in the image of God in order to bring pleasure and glory to God. But, through rebellion against their Creator, man fell from a sinless state into a condition the Bible calls sin, death, and alienation from God. Thus, apart from God, all men are spiritually dead, and no unsaved person can please God. The entire human race is born into this state of sin and death; sinful by nature and by choice; and apart from the grace of God is incapable of returning to God. Because of this we are all in need of His saving grace. (Gen 1:27; Is 43:7; Rom 3:9-19,23; Rev 4:11
F. What We Believe About Salvation
Salvation is wholly a work of God’s free grace through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, not the result, in whole or part, of human works of goodness, and must be personally appropriated by repentance and belief (faith). When God has begun a saving work in the heart of any person, He gives assurance in His Word (the Bible) that He will continue performing it until the day of redemption (its full consummation). In order to be saved, a person must repent of his sins and receive and accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, believing He is God, and trusting only what Jesus Christ has done through His obedient redemptive act. This is the central message of the Christian Faith and gospel. It is essential for a person to understand and believe this without reservation. The Holy Spirit seals all true believers until the day of redemption. Therefore, no true member of the Body of Christ can lose his salvation. (Phil 1:6; Eph 1:4-15; 4:30; Rom 8:23-39; 1 Cor 3:11-17; 2 Cor 1:21-22; 2 Tim 2:10-13,19)
G. What We Believe About the Church
The Church is the spiritual fellowship of believers, created by the Spirit and Word of God, with the risen Christ Jesus as its Lord (Headship). There is only one true universal church comprised of all those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Scripture commands all believers to assemble together and to devote themselves to worship, prayer, biblical teachings, fellowship, and to service to the Body of Christ, through the exercising of talents and gifts of the Holy Spirit, and to outreach to the world through evangelism and ministry. We also observe baptism and communion as ordinances established by the Lord Jesus Christ. (Mt 28:19; Acts 2:42; Rom 6:3-5; 1 Cor 11:23-26; 12:13; Eph 1:22-23; 4:4-6; Col 2:10-12; Heb 10:24-25)
H. What We Believe About Human Destiny
Physical death seals the eternal destiny of every person. The dead are conscious. For all mankind, there will be a resurrection of the physical body and a judgment of each individual. The saved dead are with the Lord. At the resurrection of the Just, the saved will be received into eternal communion with God in Heaven. They will dwell with God in their glorified physical bodies forever and ever. The unsaved dead are in Hades. The unsaved dead will be separated from God into eternal condemnation in a literal place called Hell for their rejection of God and unbelief in the person of Jesus Christ. They will be cast into the lake of fire forever and ever. Forever and ever means without end and is everlasting in duration of time. (Is 14:9-17; Mk 12:27; Lk 16:19-31; 2 Cor 5:6-9; Phil 1:20-23) and (Rom 1:32; Phil 3:18-19; 2 Thes 1:7-10; Rev 14:9-11; 20:10-15)
I. What We Believe About Faith and Practice
Every believer should make it his aim to walk in the Spirit and make no provision for the flesh. Every believer will give an account to God for the deeds done in the body and is ultimately responsible for his own actions. Every believer should strive within the power of the Holy Spirit to love God with all his heart, mind, soul and strength and his neighbor as himself. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Therefore, every believer should strive with all of God’s might to live by faith and trust in every area of life. (Dt 6:4; Lk 10:27; Rom 13:14; Gal 5:16; 1 Cor 3:10-15; 2 Cor 5:10-11; Col 2:6-7; Heb 11:6)
