DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
1. The Scriptures
We believe that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God,” by which we understand the whole Bible is inspired in the sense that holy men of God “were moved by the Holy Spirit” to write the very words of Scripture. We believe that while there was progress in revelation from God, this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the writings–historical, poetical, doctrinal, and prophetical and to the smallest word and inflection of a word as appeared in the original manuscripts. We believe that the whole Bible in the originals is therefore without error.
We also believe that all the Scriptures were designed for our practical instruction. (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Romans 15:4)
2. God
We believe in only one God, the Creator, who is infinite, personal, eternally existing in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 44:6, Genesis 1:1-2, Colossians 1:15-17)
3. Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son who has neither beginning nor ending. He was conceived in the flesh by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is fully God and fully man. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and arose bodily on the third day. He ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father as our only mediator, high priest, and advocate. (Acts 4:12, Matthew 1:20-25, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
4. Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is God, the third person of the Trinity. That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and, during this age, to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, and indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service. (Titus 3:5-7, 1 Corinthians 2:9-12, 12:3-13, John 14:15-18)
5. Human Race
We believe that both man and woman were created in the image of God to enjoy a personal relationship with Him. As a result of deliberate disobedience they fell from their sinless state and they and all their descendants became sinners. Consequently, they cannot save themselves and apart from the grace of God in Jesus Christ, they are condemned to a place of eternal torment. (Genesis 1:26-27, Romans 3:23-24, Ephesians 2:1-2, John 3:16-18, 36)
6. Salvation
We believe we are saved solely by the grace of God through faith in Christ alone. This salvation was purchased by substitution death and shed blood of Jesus Christ for the sins of every person and is offered to everyone as a free gift. The person who has trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior is eternally secure, and can enjoy the assurance of salvation.
We believe that the new birth of the believer comes only through faith and in Christ and that repentance is a vital part of believing, and is in no way in itself a separate and independent condition of salvation, nor are any other acts, such as confession, baptism, prayer, or faithful service to be added to believing as a condition of salvation. (Romans 3:28, 10:19, Ephesians 2:4-10, John 3:16-18, Acts 16:30-33)
7. Church
We believe that Christ is the head of the Church, which is His body. All who have trusted in Him as Savior are members of this body. Christians shall devote themselves to worship, instruction, fellowship, stewardship, and service. We also believe that Christ commanded all believers to observe two church ordinances: believers’ baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper. (Colossians 1:18, Matthew 28:18-19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Acts 2:41-42)
8. Blessed Hope
We believe that according to the Word of God, the next great event in the fulfillment of prophecy will be the coming of the Lord in the air to receive to Himself into heaven both His own who are alive and remain unto His coming, and also all who have fallen asleep in Jesus, and that this event is the blessed hope set before us in Scripture, and for this we should be constantly looking. (John 14:3-4, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Ephesians 4:4-6)
