Statements of Faith

ABOUT GOD: God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe.  He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  These three are co-equal and are on God. Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

ABOUT MAN: Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude separates man from God. Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2

ABOUT ETERNITY: Man was created to exist forever.  He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation.  To be eternally separated from God is Hell.  To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life.  Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence. John 3:16, John 2:25, John 5:11-13, Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:15, 1 John 5:11-12, Matthew 25:31-46

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST: Jesus the Messiah is the Son of God.  He is co-equal with the Father.   Jesus lived a sinless human life. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men, by dying on a cross.  He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death.  He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords. Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5, 14:10-30, Hebrews 4:14-15, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

ABOUT SALVATION: Salvation is a gift from God to man.  Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works.  Only by trusting in Jesus, the Messiah, as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty.  Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus into his life by faith. Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 14:6, Titus 3:5, And Galatians 3:26, Romans 5:1

ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY: Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus the Messiah, the believer is secure in salvation for eternity.  Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God – not by self-effort of the Christian.  It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security.  John 10:29, 2 Timothy 1:12, Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14, 1 Peter 1:3-5

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God.  He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus, the Messiah.  He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation.  He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth.  Also, guidance in doing what is right.  The Christian seeks to live under His control daily. 2 Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16, Ephesians 1:13

ABOUT THE HOLY SCRIPTURES: The sole basis of our belief is in the Bible, which is uniquely God-inspired, without error, and the final authority on all matters on which it bears.  The Bible is God’s Word to all men.  It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.  It is the supreme source of Truth for Christian beliefs and living.  Because it is inspired by God, it is Truth without any mixture of error. 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13, Psalm 119:105-160, Proverbs 30:5

ABOUT THE CHURCH: We believe that all people, anywhere, who acknowledge Jesus the Messiah, as Savior and Lord, make up the one true church.  The purpose of our local church is to reach unbelievers with the message of salvation, serve as the corporate body for worship of God, and provide fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and for the edifying of the Church Body.  Additionally, our purpose is to develop the gifts and talents of the believers for Godly service.

ABOUT BAPTISM AND HOLY COMMUNION: We believe baptism and communion are God’s ordinances to be observed by believers in Jesus Christ, but not to be regarded as a means of salvation. (Mt.28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16; Heb. 10:24)