What We Believe

THE BIBLE

The Bible is the Word of God, written by human authors through divine inspiration by the Holy Spirit. In the Bible, God has given us the knowledge necessary for salvation. It is the complete and accurate testimony of His character.

 (Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Heb. 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20, 21.)

THE TRINITY

There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who exist in unity of three Persons.  Each member of the Trinity serves different functions, having equal power and authority.

(Gen. 1:26; Deut. 6:4; Isa. 6:8; Matt. 28:19; John 3:16 2 Cor. 1:21, 22; 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2.)

THE FATHER

God is the Creator and Sustainer of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and filled with love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also those of the Father.

(Gen. 1:1; Deut. 4:35; Ps. 110:1, 4; John 3:16; 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:28; 1 Tim. 1:17; 1 John 4:8; Rev. 4:11.)

THE SON

Jesus is fully human but, at the same time, fully God.  He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead. Through Jesus the character of God is revealed. His life, death, and resurrection, has given us an example by which to live, and the hope of eternal life.

(Isa. 53:4-6; Dan. 9:25-27; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3, 14; 5:22; 10:30; 14:1-3, 9, 13; Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; 2 Cor. 3:18; 5:17-19; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-19; Heb. 2:9- 18; 8:1, 2.)

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit guides, renews and transforms us into the image of God. The Holy Spirit extends spiritual gifts to all believers, convicts us of sin, and leads us to Christ.

(Gen. 1:1, 2; 2 Sam. 23:2; Ps. 51:11; Isa. 61:1; Luke 1:35; 4:18; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 5:3; 10:38; Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Peter 1:21.)

SALVATION

The death of Jesus has provided life to whoever believes in Him. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ. We are not capable of saving ourselves, therefore nothing we do can earn our salvation; it is a free gift, given to us by a good and loving God.

(Gen. 3:15; Isa. 45:22; 53; Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 33:11; 36:25-27; Hab. 2:4; Mark 9:23, 24; John 3:3-8, 16; 16:8; Rom. 3:21-26; 8:1-4, 14-17; 5:6-10; 10:17; 12:2; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Gal. 1:4; 3:13, 14, 26; 4:4-7; Eph. 2:4-10; Col. 1:13, 14; Titus 3:3-7; Heb. 8:7-12; 1 Peter 1:23; 2:21, 22; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rev. 13:8.)

THE CHURCH

The church is a community of believers who join together for worship, fellowship, and celebration. The church is committed to the teachings of Jesus, obeying His commands, and bringing hope and healing to the world.

(Gen. 12:1-3; Exod. 19:3-7; Matt. 16:13-20; 18:18; 28:19, 20; Acts 2:38-42; 7:38; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 1:22, 23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11; 5:23-27; Col. 1:17, 18; 1 Peter 2:9.)

BAPTISM

By baptism through immersion in water we demonstrate our desire to be a follower of Jesus. Baptism is a symbol of our commitment to Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy Spirit.

(Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 2:38; 16:30-33; 22:16; Rom. 6:1-6; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12, 13.)

DEATH AND RESURRECTION

God will grant eternal life to all who believe in him. Salvation is determined by our response to Jesus' offer of salvation. When Jesus returns, the resurrected righteous and the living righteous will be caught up to meet the Lord. Until the day Jesus returns, death is an unconscious state for all people.

(Job 19:25-27; Ps. 146:3, 4; Eccl. 9:5, 6, 10; Dan. 12:2, 13; Isa. 25:8; John 5:28, 29; 11:11-14; Rom. 6:23; 16; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 20:1-10.)

THE SABBATH

After creating the world in six days, God rested on the seventh day. As demonstrated by the life and teachings of Jesus, the Sabbath was given to us for a day of rest and recharging, a foretaste of our eternal future in God’s kingdom.

(Gen. 2:1-3; Exod. 20:8-11; 31:13-17; Lev. 23:32; Deut. 5:12-15; Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Ezek. 20:12, 20; Matt. 12:1-12; Mark 1:32; Luke 4:16; Heb. 4:1-11.)