1.
We believe the Bible is God’s Word given by divine inspiration, the record of God’s revelation of Himself to humanity (II Timothy 3:16). It is trustworthy,
sufficient, without error—the supreme authority and guide for all doctrine and conduct (I Peter 1:23-25; John 17:17;
II Timothy 3:16-17.) It is the truth by which God brings people into a saving relationship with Himself and leads them to
Christian maturity (John 20:31, I John 5:9-12; Matthew 4:4; I Peter 2:2).
2.
We believe in the one living and true God, perfect in wisdom, sovereignty, holiness,
justice, mercy and love (I
Timothy 1:17; Psalm 86:15; Deuteronomy 32:3-4). He exists eternally in three coequal persons who act together in creation,
providence and redemption (Genesis 1:26; I Peter 1:2; Hebrews 1:1-3).
a.
The Father reigns with providential care over all life and history in the created universe. He hears and answers prayer
(I Chronicles 29:11-13; Matthew 7:11). He initiated salvation by sending His Son, and He is Father to those who by faith accept
His Son as Lord and Savior (I John 4:9-10; John 3:16; John 1:12; Acts 16:31).
b.
The Son became man, Jesus Christ, who was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary (John 1:14; Matthew
1:18). Being fully God and fully man, He revealed God through His sinless life, miracles and teaching (John 14:9; Hebrews
4:15; Matthew 4:23-24). He provided salvation through His atoning death in our place and by His bodily resurrection (I Corinthians
15:3-4; II Corinthians 5:21; Romans 4:23-25). He ascended into heaven where He rules over all creation (Philippians 2:5-11).
He intercedes for all believers and dwells in them as their ever-present Lord (Romans 8:34; John 14:23).
c.
The Holy Spirit inspired men to write the Scriptures (II Peter 1:21). Through this Word, He convicts individuals of their
sinfulness and of the righteousness of Christ, draws them to the Savior, and bears witness to their new birth (James 1:18;
John 16:7-11; I Thessalonians 1:5-6; Romans 8:16). At regeneration and conversion, the believer is baptized in the Holy Spirit
(I Corinthians 12:13). The Spirit indwells, seals and gives spiritual gifts to all believers for ministry in the church and
society (Romans 8:9-11; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 12:5-8; I Peter 4:10). He empowers, guides, teaches, fills, sanctifies and
produces the fruit of Christlikeness in all who yield to Him (Acts 4:31; Romans 8:14; I Corinthians 2:10-13; Ephesians 5:18;
II Thessalonians 2:13; Galatians 5:16; 22-23).
3.
We believe God created an order of spiritual beings called angels to serve Him and
do His will (Psalm 148:1-5; Colossians 1:16). The holy angels are obedient spirits ministering
to the heirs of salvation and glorifying God (Hebrews 1:6-7; 13-14). Certain angels, called demons, Satan being their chief,
through deliberate choice revolted and fell from their exalted position (Revelation 12:7-9). They now tempt individuals to
rebel against God (I Timothy 4:1; I Peter 5:8). Their destiny in hell has been sealed by Christ’s victory over sin and
death (Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:10).
4.
We believe God created man in His own image to have fellowship with Himself and
to be steward over His creation (Genesis 1:26-28). As a result, each person is unique,
possesses dignity and is worthy of respect (Psalm 139:13-17). Through the temptation of Satan, Adam chose to disobey God;
this brought sin and death to the human race and suffering to all creation (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12-21; 8-22). Therefore, everyone
is born with a sinful nature and needs to be reconciled to God (Romans 3:9-18, 23). Satan tempts people to rebel against God,
even those who love Him (Ephesians 4:27; II Corinthians 2:11; Matthew 16:23). Nonetheless, everyone is personally responsible
to God for thoughts, actions and beliefs and has the right to approach Him directly through Jesus Christ, the only mediator
(Romans 14:12; I Timothy 2:5).
5.
We believe salvation is redemption by Christ of the whole person from sin and death
(II Timothy 1:9-10; I Thessalonians 5:23). It is offered as a free gift by God to all
and must be received personally through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (I Timothy 2:4; Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 20:21).
An individual is united to Christ by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27). As a child of
God, the believer is acquitted of all guilt and brought into a new relationship of peace (Romans 5:1). Christians grow as
the Holy Spirit enables them to understand and obey the Word of God (II Peter 3:18; Ephesians 4:15; I Thessalonians 3:12).
6.
We believe the Church is the body of which Christ is the head and all who believe in
Him are members (Ephesians 1:22-23; Romans 12:4-5). Christians are commanded to be baptized
upon profession of faith and to unite with a local church for mutual encouragement and growth in discipleship through worship,
nurture, service and the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world (Acts 2:41-42, 47; Luke 24:45-48). Each church
is a self-governing body under the lordship of Christ with all members sharing responsibility (Acts 13:1-3; 14:26-28). The
form of government is understood to be congregational (Matthew 18:17; Acts 6:3-6; 15:22-23).