We believe that the Holy Bible is the Word of God and that
- when properly understood - it is reliable and infallible. We believe this Book was written by men as
they were inspired by the Holy Spirit, to write in their own words, what He
wanted them to write. We also believe it
is powerful and able to instruct, rebuke, exhort and change a person's
life. The Bible is sacred and central to our faith. We receive it as revealed in PSALM 119; 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17; HEBREWS 4:12 and 2 PETER
1:20-21.
We believe in one God, eternally existing
as God the Father and His Son - The Word made flesh, our Lord
Jesus Christ - and His Holy Spirit; according to JOHN 1:1-4,14 and 1 JOHN 5:7.
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles and that He died for our sins, was buried and resurrected from the grave, and ascended into Heaven; where He is seated at the right hand of the Father; as our Lord, Savior, High Priest, Intercessor and Advocate. We believe He is also the Builder of His Church, the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, and our soon returning King. From many, here are a few Biblical references that talk about this: JOHN 3:13-16; ACTS 1:8-11; 2:32-33; 26:23 and 1 CORINTHIANS 15:3-4.
We believe mankind is created in the image and likeness of God, but through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into the world upon everyone, thus placing us all in dire need of Jesus Christ’s salvation, which is what the following verses are talking about: ROMANS 3:23-24; 5:12-19 and 6:23.
We believe that mankind’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow, that works repentance, and saving faith - which is a gift from God. We believe that when a person receives God's free gift of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ - genuine repentance will begin to occur. This is what Jesus called being born again, which He said was necessary for all people wanting to live in God’s eternal Kingdom. Here some verses this belief is based on: MARK 10:15; LUKE 18:17; JOHN 3:3-7; 2 CORINTHIANS 7:10 and EPHESIANS 2:8-9.
We believe that it is very important for a believer to be baptized in water, as commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; which was obeyed by all of His Apostles, according to: MATTHEW 28:19-20; MARK 16:15-16; ACTS 2:37-39; 8:12,14-17,35-38; 10:44-48; 19:1-6 and 22:16. We also believe that baptizing unbelievers in water is pointless and should be avoided.
We believe that assembling with other believers is vitally important for a believer’s spiritual growth and fruitfulness. See ACTS 2:42,46-47 and HEBREWS 10:24-25.
We believe that healing is provided for the whole person: spirit, soul, and body; made possible by the power of God through the prayer of faith and the laying on of hands. It is a continuation of Christ’s ministry and is the privilege of every child of God. Read: MATTHEW 8:16-17; 10:7-8; MARK 16:17-18; LUKE 4:18-21; ACTS 3:6-9; 5:14-16; 9:32-34; 14:8-9; 19:11-12; 28:8-9 and JAMES 5:14-16.
We believe in the ongoing current ministry of the Holy Spirit, and that, as Jesus Christ promised, He is convicting the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. We also believe He empowers us for our continuing the ministry of Jesus, and is teaching and guiding us into all truth and reminding us of what we have learned. See some of what Jesus said about Him in JOHN 14:12-18,26-27 and 16:7-15.
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a gift from God for all believers who have been born again. This experience is accompanied by spiritual gifts as the Holy Spirit Himself gives; which can include tongues, prophecy, power for witnessing, visions, dreams, joy and speaking God’s Word with boldness. While there are others, here are some verses communicating this belief: MARK 16:15-18; LUKE 24:49; JOHN 20:21-22; ACTS 1:4-5,8; 2:1-4,37-39; 4:31; 8:14-17; 10:44-47; 13:52 and 19:1-7.
We believe in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are to operate in the church - as the Lord wills - and also that they are to be exercised both decently and in order. To understand this belief more fully, please read: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-11 and 14:1-6,18-20,23-26,40.
We believe the fruit of the Holy Spirit will help all true believers to overcome their sinful ways and to be better witnesses for Christ, in both word and deed. The characteristics of this fruit are listed in GALATIANS 5:16-25 and are emphasized in 2 PETER 1:5-8.
We believe that prayer and worship are ways for us to relate to Almighty God who is invisible and yet draws near to us as we draw near to Him. We believe that a closer relationship with God is available to all believers who will pursue Him for such. Check out these promises: HEBREWS 4:14-16 and JAMES 4:8-10.
We believe in the ministry of the believer, who is called to do works of service; as God enables and he or she is equipped by leadership. Look up: ROMANS 12:4-8 and EPHESIANS 4:11-16.
We believe in the return of Jesus Christ; after His church has fulfilled His commission, by evangelizing the world, through making disciples as He commanded. This belief is based upon the truth in MATTHEW 24:14; 28:18-20; MARK 13:10; 16:15-16; LUKE 24:47; ACTS 1:6-8; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-11 and 2 PETER 3:8-9.
We believe there is coming a Day of Judgment when all will give an account to God for the kind of lives they have lived in relation to their devotion to Him. Then the Lord will either send them into everlasting punishment, separated from Him, or He will welcome them into eternal life, with Him forever. Examine your own beliefs in light of: MATTHEW 7:22-23; 12:35-37; 16:27; 25:31-46; ROMANS 2:5-11; 2 THESSALONIANS 1:9-10; 1 PETER 4:17-18 and REVELATION 20:12-15.
We believe that all human life is sacred and is created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. We believe that PSALM 139 and the command to love our neighbor as our self speaks to this very important issue; MATTHEW 19:19; 22:39; MARK 12:31; LUKE 10:27; ROMANS 13:9; GALATIANS 5:14 and JAMES 2:8.
We believe that God ordained marriage and defined it as the covenant relationship between one man and one woman; as stated in GENESIS 2:24 and Jesus Christ Himself emphasized in MARK 10:6-9. (While there are examples of polygamy in the Bible, in every case it proved to not be God's will through the chaos it produced).
This list of beliefs does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. We believe that the Bible itself, as already stated, is the inspired Word of God, which speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind and is the final source of all that we believe.
