What do we believe?

Doctrine of God - We believe in one God eternally existing as one essence and three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, each of whom is fully God, yet there is one God.  (Matthew 28:18-20)  Each person is fully, equally and eternally God, yet there is one God. Each person has precisely the same nature and attributes and is worthy of precisely the same worship, honor and praise. 

Doctrine of Revelation - God has made Himself known to the world in Jesus Christ, the Scriptures and creation.  We believe the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are God-breathed and without error in their original writings.  (2 Timothy 3:16).   The Scripture is sufficient for all that God requires for us to believe and do and is therefore to be believed, as God’s instruction, in all that it teaches; obeyed, as God’s command, in all that it requires; and trusted, as God’s pledge, in all that it promises (Isaiah 40:6-8).

Doctrine of Creation and Providence - We believe that God created the world from nothing and governs all things at all times in all places.  Creation, according to the design of God, was good (Genesis 1:3-31).  God doesn't just allow the world to exist, He makes the world exist.  (Genesis 1:1-2; Colossians 1:17)

Doctrine of Humanity - We believe that all humanity is created in the image of God, both male and female, and possesses intrinsic dignity and worth.  All men and women, thus bearing the image of God, are meant to represent God in His creation.  (1 Corinthians 10:31).   Adam and Eve were made to complement each other in a one-flesh union in the covenant of marriage that establishes the only God-ordained pattern of sexual relations for men and women. In God’s wise purposes, men and women are not simply interchangeable, but rather they complement each other in mutually enriching ways.

Doctrine of Sin - We believe that sin has fractured all things, leaving the world in desperate need of salvation.  Now the entire human race inherits a corrupt nature that is opposed to God and His law (Romans 3:9-20). Therefore, all humans are under condemnation.   This depravity is radical and pervasive. It extends to the mind, will, body and affections.

Doctrine of Salvation - We believe that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.  Through the rebirth offered by God, the mind is given a holy disposition and a new desire to serve God, the dominion of sin is broken, and the heart is transformed from a love of sin and self to a love of holiness and God.  (2 Corinthians 5:17).   Apart from the intervention of God, humanity cannot choose of his own accord to worship God and pursue righteousness (Ephesians 2:1-3). God’s sovereignty in salvation is comprehensive: from first to last, all of salvation is the work of God.

Doctrine of the Church - We believe that the Church is the body of Christ, sent into the world to glorify God and honor Christ by preaching the Gospel, making disciples, and ministering by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The Church is called to make disciples through worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, observance of the ordinances, fellowship, the exercise of our gifts and talents, and the proclamation of the gospel both in our community and throughout the world.  (Matthew 28:18-20).   The Holy Spirit has gifted every believer for supernatural service in the Church and for the Kingdom of God.  Gifts may be serving or speaking gifts (1 Peter 4:10-11; Romans 12:6-8) and are never intended to draw attention to the believer, but only to glorify Christ. 

Doctrine of Resurrection and Consummation of the Kingdom of God - We believe that Jesus Christ is returning to the world in the future to judge the living and the dead.   In the consummation, Satan, his angelic cohorts, and all those outside Christ, are finally separated from the benevolent presence of God, enduring eternal punishment (Revelation 20:7-15).  The righteous, having been clothed in the righteousness of Christ and transformed into their glorified bodies, will live and reign with Him forever, serving Him and giving Him unending praise and glory. Then the eager expectation of creation will be fulfilled, and the whole earth shall proclaim the glory of God, who makes all things new (Revelation 21:1-5).