Our Beliefs
ABOUT GOD
God is the cause, sustainer and the creator and ruler of the universe. Our eternal God is one, yet is manifested in three distinct persons; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal.
Genesis 1:1; Genesis 1:26-27; Isaiah 45: 5-8; John 14:26; Psalm 90:2; Psalm 139:7-14; Matthew 28:18-19; II Corinthians 13:14; John 20:30; Acts 5:3-4
ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was sent by the Father to live a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Luke 1:26-33; John 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14; Hebrews 4:14-15; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; John 20:30; Matthew 1:21
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son as God. The Holy Spirit is active in the world and is calling us to Salvation through Jesus Christ and to Spiritual maturity. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation to provide us with the power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.
Genesis 1:26-27; II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-15; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:10-12; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25
ABOUT MAN
Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like him in character. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates man from God.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2
ABOUT SIN
Humanity was separated from God when sin entered the world. Sin produces spiritual death to the soul. We believe we are all sinners by both nature and act and that we need God’s forgiveness and cleansing through the Blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to restore us back to the glory given to us in creation.
Genesis 3:6-7; Romans 3:23, 5:12-14; II Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 2:13; Matthew 15:18-20; Ephesians 2:3; Psalms 51:5; Romans 6: 6, 22; Proverbs 4:23; James 4:17; Romans 14:23; Genesis 6:5-6; John 9:39-41; John 15:22-24
ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works; only by trusting in Jesus Christ. We believe that each person must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, repent and turn away from his sins, and live a life that is pleasing to God. We believe that when we turn from sin and trust Christ, the old record of sin is wiped clean, and we are born anew, thus becoming part of the family of God.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; John 1:12-13; Titus 3:5-8; Romans 5:1, 8; Isaiah 9:6; John 3:16-18; Acts 4:10-12; I Timothy 1:15; I John 5:13; II Corinthians 5:17
ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. The Bible teaches, rebukes, corrects, and shows us how to live a holy life. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.
II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:9, 105,160; Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 1:2-3; Romans 1:16-17; Hebrew 4:12; James 1:22-25
ABOUT ETERNITY AND THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST
Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. The Bible teaches that at an appointed time by God, the Lord Jesus Christ will return with the shout of an archangel and sound of a trumpet. This event will terminate the current phase of His creative work and usher us to the final Judgment and into Eternity wherein all souls will live out their chosen destiny forever. Those who are eternally separated from God will have eternal life in hell, and, those who are eternally in union with God will have eternal life in heaven.
John 3:15-16; Romans 6:23; I John 5:11-12; Matthew 25:31-46; Acts 1:10-11; II Peter 3:1-14; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:20-28; John 6:54; Revelation 20:10-15; John 5:19-30
ABOUT WATER BAPTISM
Baptism by immersion symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and is a public declaration that one has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Baptism does not save you, but shows the world that you have already been saved. And while baptism is not required for salvation, it is a biblical command and demonstrates your love and obedience to Christ.
Romans 6:3-6; Mark 16:15-16; Colossians 2:12-13; Acts 2:38-41; Ephesians 2: 8-9; Matthew 28:19-20; John 3:23; Matthew 3:13-17; Luke 3:21
ABOUT COMMUNION
Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is an ordinance given to all believers by Jesus Christ to remember his sacrifice for us and to symbolize the new covenant. The elements of bread and wine or juice are symbols of Christ’s broken body and shed blood. Communion is not a means of salvation; rather, it is a testament of a believer’s faith in the atoning work of the cross.
Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19-20; I Corinthians 11:23-29
ABOUT FOOT-WASHING
Foot-washing is an ordinance given to all believers by Jesus Christ to remember his sacrifice for us and to remind us of the sacrificial relationship we must have for one another. He expressly commanded it to be practice by His disciples. Foot-washing symbolizes Christ’s meekness, humility, and selfless service that he wants us to practice. Foot-washing should remind us of our calling, and, the privilege it is to serve God, one another, and a lost and dying world.
John 13:1-17; I Corinthians 11:2, 23, I Timothy 5:9-10
ABOUT THE CHURCH AND IT’S SPIRITUAL GIFTS
We believe in the Church, the community that confesses Jesus Christ as Lord, called together by the Holy Spirit through the Word, existing both as local congregations and as a universal body, “The Body of Christ”. It is a loving fellowship; embracing people of all races, colors and all different walks of life. Every believer is to be committed to a local congregation for personal growth, fellowship, service and evangelism. Believers acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ over their time, talents and treasures as they give these to their local congregations.
Every Christian has been given at least one spiritual gift through the Holy Spirit. Gifts are to be exercised in an orderly manner that exalts Christ and edifies the Church.
The Church is commissioned to declare the Gospel message and making disciple for Jesus Christ. Jesus says in Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” God has equipped the Church with the necessary pattern, qualified ministers, and spiritual gifts to successfully carry out His purpose in the world.
Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; II Corinthians 5:19; Ephesians 1:6; 2:7; Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:42-47; I Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 2:20; Matthew 25:15; Romans 12:4-8; I Corinthians 14:33; I Peter 4:10; Ephesians 4:7-16