The Authority of Scripture
We believe the 66 books of Scripture affirmed by the body of Christ through church history are words written by people but inspired by God. All scripture is useful to teach, encourage, convict, and edify the body. Teaching, words of prophecy, and wisdom should never directly contradict the teachings of Scripture.
[2 Timothy 3:16]
The Trinity
We believe in one God who created the heavens and the earth, who exists eternally in three persons; The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The mystery of the Trinity is beyond human comprehension and cannot be fully explained or understood, although it’s truth is evident in the Scriptures. This God is above all other powers and rulers, and exists eternally in complete sovereignty with no other gods above or before Him.
[Genesis 1:1-2, 2 Corinthians 13:14, John 10:30, Matthew 28:19, Matthew 3:16-17]
The Person of Jesus Christ
We believe the person of Jesus Christ is an eternal part of the trinitarian Godhead. He was before all things and all creation was made through Him. He descended to earth in the form of a human baby, conceived by the Holy Spirit in a virgin woman, and was born in Bethlehem. He lived a perfect and sinless life and was killed on a Roman cross, giving up His spirit of His own volition. He was resurrected and now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven, awaiting the day of final judgement.
[Colossians 2:9, Colossians 1:15-20, John 1:14, John 1:1, Isaiah 9:6, Hebrews 1:13, Philippians 2:6]
The Fall
We believe that humanity was created for a union with God, but instead chose sin. The consequence was a spiritual separation from God and an earthly death. All men, women, and children today are born into sin and fall short of God’s glorious standard.
[Genesis 3:1-24, Romans 3:23, Romans 8:20-23
The Resurrection
We believe that after willingly giving up His life for humanity by death on a Roman cross, Jesus was resurrected in body, coming out of His grave and appearing to more than 500 people in a 40 day span before He ascended to heaven where He awaits the day of His second-coming. Jesus defeated the power of death, hell, and the grave for all men and women through His bodily resurrection.
[Luke 24, Romans 6:9, Romans 8:34, John 11:25-26. Acts 3:15]
Atonement & Justification
We believe in the doctrine of atonement that by Jesus’ death and resurrection, the punishment for every sin and crime committed by those that put faith in Jesus is eternally paid for and finished. Jesus Christ lived a perfect life and bought the eternal spiritual freedom by His blood for those that put their faith in Him. We believe in the doctrine of justification that there is now no further need for punishment or condemnation for those that have been saved by Jesus’ sacrifice.
[Romans 5:6-8, 1 Corinthians 15:3, Hebrews 9:12-14, Revelation 5:9-10, Romans 3:23-25
Salvation by Grace through Faith
We believe that all people can be eternally saved by the grace of God simply through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. There is no other qualification or redemptive action that men or women can take for themselves, but a free gift offered by God through faith in Jesus.
[Ephesians 2:8-9]
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is an equal person of the trinitarian Godhead that has been active and present with God’s people throughout all of history and is present with the church today. We believe the Holy Spirit has been given to all believers of Jesus to help as a teacher, encourager, comforter, corrector, and equipper. He is the source of all power and gifting in the believer, and dwells within us in spirit.
[Isaiah 11:2, Genesis 1:1-2, John 14:26, John 16:12-15, Romans 8:26, Acts 2:4, Acts 4:31, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 1 Corinthians 2:13]
The Church
We believe that the church of believers in Jesus is a spiritually unified family that represents Christ’s body on earth in the present age. Jesus desired that His believers would be unified, and we believe in the value of corporate gatherings of worship and fellowship and that the Holy Spirit is always present in such gatherings. We believe in a holy and unified communion of all saints by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus Christ is the head of the church and retains authority above all pastors, doctrines, and organizations.
[Ephesians 2:19-22, Hebrews 10:24-25, Romans 12:5, Matthew 18:20, Colossians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 12:13]
The Second Coming of Christ
We believe that Jesus is waiting at the right hand of the Father for the appointed day at which He will return to earth and deal a final judgment over all humanity, bringing those who are saved by grace through faith to eternity with Him. We believe this day is unknown to all but the Father, and the specific date cannot be predicted.
[Hebrews 9:28, Revelation 1:7, 2 Peter 3:10, Matthew 24:36, John 14:3]
Sanctification & Freedom In Christ
We believe the Spirit of God dwells within a believer that has been made into a new creation and enables them to live a life of holiness that was previously unattainable. This holiness is not achieved through good works, but through the blood of Jesus, and is then evidenced by good works. After death, the believer will have a perfected holiness and unity with God.
[1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Peter 2:11, 1 John 3:2, Galatians 5:1, Romans 8:1-4]
The Great Commission
We believe the greatest mission for the church is to fulfill the calling given by Jesus to His disciples on the mount of His ascension; to go into all the world, preach the gospel, and make disciples. We believe the church’s primary function is to show the love of Jesus in action and preach the truth of Jesus in word.
[Matthew 18:20, 1 Peter 3:15, Acts 1:8]
Spiritual Gifts
We believe that upon faith in Jesus, the believer receives the Holy Spirit and receives from Him a spiritual gift that is meant to aid and edify the body and mission of the church. These gifts vary in function and effect, but all are useful for the body of Christ. The source of all spiritual gifting is the Spirit of God, and only He has authority to bestow and remove any such gift.
[1 Corinthians 12:7, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Peter 4:10-11]
Prayer
We believe in the power of prayer and intercession, and that when the saints pray, the Lord hears and answers. We believe the prayers of the saints are a delight to God and received by Him in the throne room of heaven. We believe God will show himself to us in deeper richness through our prayers and reveal the goodness of His grace to our spirits. We believe the prayers of a righteous person can bring deliverance and healing upon the sick, downcast, and oppressed; and that prayer will aid in the mission to spread the gospel. Corporate prayer unifies the church, brings the Lord’s people together, and is a requirement for a worship gathering.
[1 John 5:14-15, Luke 11:9, Revelation 5:8, Ephesians 1:15-22, James 5:14-15, Mark 9:29, Colossians 4:3, Acts 2:42]
Worship
We believe that followers of Jesus are meant to worship God individually and corporately. Jesus made a way by His sacrifice for believers to be united with God in spirit, and thus worship Him in a spiritual manner. There is value and power in prayer, song, word, and service that gives praise to God.
[John 4:24, Colossians 3:16, Romans 12:1, Isaiah 12:5, Psalm 9:2]
The Lord's Supper
We believe in the value and power of the practice of the Lord’s Supper, by which the church proclaims the death and resurrection of Jesus in awaiting His second-coming. We believe in the real presence of Jesus during the partaking of The Lord’s Supper and that He is present during times of communion in ways that are mysterious and undefinable. We believe this practice is intended only for followers of Jesus as an act of worship and remembrance, and serves no accomplishment of atonement or sanctification, but is an act of worship and spiritual communion with Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.
[Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25]
Baptism
We believe in the value of baptism in water as a public and outward testimony for a believer that indicates a personal and inward faith in Jesus Christ. The symbolic nature baptism, along with true repentance and spiritual regeneration, is a powerful statement of faith that all believers are encouraged to participate in as a one-time public statement.
[Mark 15:16, Acts 8:12, Matthew 28:19, Colossians 2:12]