We Believe in one eternal God who is co-existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We believe Jesus Christ to be the only begotton Son of God and that He died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. We believe that He was resurrected from the dead and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. We believe that forgiveness of sins comes to those who repent of their sins and call upon His name accepting Him as Lord and Savior. Further, we believe the Holy Bible to be the inspired, true, and only written Word of God.
The Fall of Man
We believe that Adam and Eve, the precursors of the entire human race, were created in the image of God; however, they disobeyed God and became sinners. Through Adam, all people inherited sin’s nature and consequences, and all are in need of a Redeemer (Genesis 1:27; Romans 5:12, 19).
The Plan of Redemption
We
believe that Christ died for all of us while we were still sinners; He
took the punishment for our sin. With His own blood, He purchased
salvation and redemption for all who believe in Him (John 3:16; Isaiah
53:5; Titus 2:14).
Salvation Through Grace
We
believe that salvation is totally an act of God’s grace that is
accessed through faith in Jesus Christ. No person can be good enough to
earn salvation, and “being good” does not contribute to receiving God’s
love and favor (Ephesians 2:8, 13).
Repentance and Acceptance
We
believe that, when people repent for their sins and accept Christ, they
are justified through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. To repent
means to be sorry for sins, but it also means to turn away from a sinful
lifestyle. Accepting Christ means believing in Him as the only Savior.
To be justified means being declared “not guilty” in regard to sin
(Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 1:9).
The New Birth
We
believe that the change that takes place in people when they are “born
again” is very real. They receive righteousness through Jesus Christ,
and they are empowered by the Holy Spirit; therefore, they should have
new desires, interests and pursuits (John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Daily Christian Life
We
believe that people who have been born again grow in sanctification
which means that they separate themselves from the value system of the
world and embrace and live according to the values of the kingdom that
Jesus proclaimed. As they do so, they increase in holiness, faith,
power, prayer, love and service (2 Corinthians 7:1).
Evangelism
We
believe that evangelizing and making disciples is the primary
“business” of the church; every hindrance to worldwide evangelism should
be removed (James 5:20; Mark 16:15).
Tithing and Offerings
We
believe that tithing (giving 10 percent of earnings) and offerings
(amounts determined by the individuals) are God’s instruments to carry
on His ministry, spread the gospel, and release personal blessing
(Malachi 3:10; 1 Corinthians 16: 1, 2).
Moderation
We
believe that Christians should avoid excess and that their moderation
should be obvious to others. Their commitment to Christ should be deep
and sincere, but they should not indulge in or lead other people into
extremes of fanaticism. Christians should be well thought of, balanced,
humble and self-sacrificing, reflecting Christ’s grace and character in
all areas of their lives (Colossians 3:12, 13; Philippians 4:5).
Church Relationship
We
believe that it is essential for all believers to join with and become
part of a congregation of other believers. It is important to worship
together, observe the ordinances of the church, encourage and support
one another, and work together to advance the Lord’s kingdom (Hebrews
10:24, 25).
Civil Government
We
believe that civil government is established by divine appointment;
civil laws should be upheld at all times except when they are in
opposition to the Word of God (Romans 13:1-7).
The Holy Scriptures
We
believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God; it is absolutely
true, enduring, and unchangeable (2 Timothy 3:16, 17. Matthew 24:35).
The Eternal Godhead
We
believe in the Trinity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy
Spirit. The three parts of the Trinity are coexistent and coeternal,
which means that they always have existed and always will exist
together; they are coequal in divine perfection, which means that no
person of the Trinity is more powerful or more perfect than any other
person in the Trinity (1 John 5:7).
Water Baptism and the Lord's Supper
We
believe that people who have been born again should be baptized in the
name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself was baptized and
instructed His followers to be baptized. Baptism also confirms that
Christ is the Lord and King in each believer’s life (Romans 6:4). We
believe in observing the Lord’s supper, or communion, just as Jesus
instructed. This means that born-again believers take the broken bread
and the fruit of the vine as a remembrance and celebration of the new
life that is theirs because of Jesus’ death on the cross and His
resurrection. It is also looking forward to His return as triumphant
King (1 Corinthians 11:24-26)
Baptism with the Holy Spirit
We
believe that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is an experience that
follows salvation. All believers have God’s Spirit within them. Holy
Spirit baptism empowers believers to exalt Jesus, to live lives of
holiness, and to be witnesses of God’s saving grace. We believe that
those who experience Holy Spirit baptism today will experience it in the
same manner that believers experienced it in the early church; in other
words, we believe that they will speak in tongues languages that are
not known to them (Acts 1: 5, 8; 2:4).
Divine Healing
We
believe that Jesus Christ heals people who are sick. God does not
change; He is still willing and able to heal the body, as well as the
soul and spirit, in response to faith (Mark 16: 17, 18; James 5:14-16).
The Spirit-Filled Life
We
believe that born-again believers should be people who pray and who
allow the Holy Spirit to shape their values and behaviors every day;
their lives should exemplify love, honesty and sincerity (Ephesians
4:30-32).
The Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit
We
believe that the Holy Spirit gives ministry gifts to believers; in
other words, the Holy Spirit gives people special abilities for
ministry. These gifts will build up groups of believers and help them
mature in Christian faith (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). Further,
Spirit-filled believers should show the spiritual “fruit” that has been
given to them: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,
gentleness, self-control (Romans 12:6-8; Galatians 5:22-25).
The Rapture (Catching Away) of The Church
We
believe that the rapture of the church is imminent, and at that time
the Lord Himself will appear, the dead Christians will be resurrected,
and living believers will be changed. Both groups will be taken up to
meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17, Luke 14:14).
Judgment of the Righteous or “The Judgment Seat of Christ”
We
believe that immediately following the rapture, all Christians will
stand before Christ to be judged by Him, The Judgment Seat of Christ for
the saints is a judgment of rewards and is distinguished from the
judgment of the wicked. (2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10, 1 Corinthians
3:9-15).
The Second Coming of Christ
We
believe that following the rapture and the prophetic events of
Revelation chapters 4 through 18, that Jesus Christ will return with His
saints to the earth to put an end to the reign of Anti-Christ and
establish Christ's millennial kingdom. (Revelation19:11-21, Jude 14-15,
Matthew 24:29-30).
Judgment of the Wicked or “The Great White Throne of Judgment”
We
believe that final judgment in history is reserved for the judgment of
the wicked dead. Hell itself will give up the wicked dead for judgment.
All those whose names are not found in the Book of Life will be cast
into the Lake of Fire. (Revelation 20:11-15, 2 Peter 3 7-13, Matthew
25:41)
Heaven
We
believe that heaven is the habitation of the living God and the eternal
home of born-again believers (John 14:2; Revelation 7:15-17).
Hell
We
believe that hell is a place of darkness, deep sorrow and unquenchable
fire, which was not prepared for man but for the devil and his angels;
it will become the place of eternal separation from God for all who
reject Christ as Savior (Matthew 13: 41, 42; Revelation 20:10, 15).