Our Theology
What do we believe?
- In essential beliefs - we have unity "We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all." Ephesians 4:4-6
- In non-essential beliefs - we have diversity "Accept Christians who are weak in faith, and don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong...Who are you to condemn God's servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him tell them whether they are right or wrong. The Lord' power will help them do as they should...Yes, each of us will have to give a personal account to God. So don't condemn each other anymore. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not put an obstacle in another Christian's path...You may have the faith to believe that there is nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God." Romans 14:1,4,12,22
- In all our beliefs - we show charity "If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn't love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody." 1 Corinthians 13:2
1. The Word of God
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13, Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
2. The Trinity
We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit); that these three are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices (roles) in the work of creation, providence and redemption. Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
3. God the Father
We believe in God the Father, an infinite personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that he concerns himself mercifully in the affairs of man, that he hears and answers prayer, and that he saves from sin and death all who come to him through Jesus Christ. John 4:23-24; 17:1-22; Romans 1; Ephesians 1:3-14
4. Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in his virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe in his substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for his people, and personal visible return to earth. Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
5. The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that he is an abiding helper, teacher and guide. 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
6. Regeneration
We believe that all people are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Romans 3:23; 5:1; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26
7. The Church
We believe in the universal Church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon members of the local church the primary task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. Acts 2:42-47; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2
8. Christian Conduct
We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and the well-being of his fellowman, that his conduct should be blameless before the world, that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions, and that he should seek to realize, for himself and others, the full measure of maturity in Christ.
9. The Ordinances
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the triune God. We believe that the Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of his death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 8:26-39; 10:46-48; Romans 6:3,4; Luke 22:7-22; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
10. Religious Liberty
We believe that every human being has direct relations with God and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that, therefore, Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other. Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 2:9; Luke 11:2-13; Romans 14:12
11. Church Cooperation
We believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperating with one another in a denominational organization. Such an organization, whether it is a national or district conference, exists and functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in a conference is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. Churches may likewise cooperate with inter-denominational fellowships on a voluntary independent basis. John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Cor. 2:7-9
12. The Last Things
We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of his kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal happiness of God's people, and the endless suffering of those outside of Christ. Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Thess. 4:14-17; 2 Thess. 1:5-10; 2 Peter 3:9-13