What We Believe

The Holy Trinity

We believe in the one triune God, self-existent and everlasting, both holy and loving in nature, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Creator and sustainer of all things and ruler over all. God exists in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—each eternal in being, equal in power and glory, and identical in essence.

God The Father

We believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth—from whom, through whom, and to whom are all things.

The Person And Work Of Jesus Christ

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal and only begotten Son of God, became man without ever ceasing to be God; He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life. He died on the cross to be the one sufficient sacrifice for sin and to reconcile all mankind to God. The third day He rose bodily from the grave. He then ascended into heaven, where He is enthroned at God’s right hand as our intercessor.

The Person And Work Of The Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son, truly and eternally God. As the third Person of the Trinity, he continually glorifies Jesus Christ, convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment to come, regenerates all who repent and trust in Christ for salvation, sanctifies and indwells believers, and guides into all truth. He is ever present, assuring, preserving, guiding, and empowering the believer for godly living and service.

The Holy Scriptures

We believe that the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments constitute the Holy Scriptures and are the written Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit. They are therefore inerrant in the original writings and have been transmitted to the present without corruption of any essential doctrine. They contain all that is necessary for our salvation and are the supreme authority for faith and practice.

Sin: Original Sin And Acts Of Sin

We believe that sin and death came into the world through the disobedience of Adam. We believe that sin is of two kinds: original and actual.

Human Will

We believe God created humanity in His image, with the ability to choose between right and wrong. As a result of Adam’s fall and the consequent corruption of human nature, apart from God’s grace, mankind is unable to choose right.

Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and freely received through faith and not by our own works. God graciously justifies and regenerates all who repent of their sins and believe on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He seals them as His own with the Holy Spirit. As the children of God, they are restored to fellowship with Him, delivered from the penalty of sin as well as from its willful practice, and are initially sanctified and given assurance of salvation by the Holy Spirit who dwells in them.

Sanctification

We believe that sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit by which the child of God is conformed more and more into the image of Jesus Christ. Further, we believe that by this same Spirit the heart of the believer may be purified by faith and empowered for more effective service.

Good Works

We believe good works are the necessary fruit of faith and follow salvation but cannot save us from our sins or prevent divine judgment.

The Church

We believe that the Church universal is composed of the entire body of believers in Jesus Christ, who is its founder and only Head, in whom it is being built into a holy dwelling place of God by the Spirit. The mission of the Church is to make Christlike disciples of all nations through the proclamation of the Word of God, the administration of the sacraments, the exercise of the Spirit’s gifts, and obedience to all that Christ commands.

The Sacraments:
Baptism And The Lord’s Supper

We believe that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the sacraments of the church commanded by Christ and ordained as a means of grace when received through faith. They are signs of our profession of faith and of God’s gracious ministry toward us. By them, He works within us, refreshing, strengthening, and confirming our faith in Him.

The Second Coming Of Christ

We believe that the imminent and bodily return of Jesus Christ is that blessed hope of believers, providing a powerful incentive to holy living and inspiring a zeal for world evangelism. Upon His return, Jesus Christ will fulfill all Scripture concerning the final triumph of good over evil, consummate His kingdom, and judge the world in righteousness.

The Resurrection Of The Dead

We believe in the resurrection of all mankind at which time the body and soul will be reunited. The resurrection of the just is unto eternal life; the resurrection of the wicked is unto eternal punishment. The bodily resurrection of Jesus is a miracle of supreme importance and foundational to our faith.

The Judgment Of Mankind

We believe that God is the Judge of all and the acts of His judgment are based on His omniscience and eternal justice. His administration of judgment will culminate before His throne of great majesty and power, where records will be examined, and final rewards and punishments will be administered.

Eternal Destiny

We believe that there is conscious, personal existence after death. The final destiny of each person is decided by his response to God’s grace and not by any arbitrary decree of God. The new heavens and new earth with their eternal glory and the blessedness of Christ’s presence is the final abode of those who choose the salvation which God provides through Jesus Christ. The Lake of Fire with its everlasting misery and separation from God is the final abode of those who neglect this great salvation.