STATEMENT OF FAITH

This doctrinal statement reflects the broad, mainstream, conservative evangelical tradition which is consistent with the teachings of the Bible and which has stood the test of history and experience. We specifically affirm the following doctrinal truths:

THE BIBLE

The Bible is God’s Holy Word, without error, and is the sole authority for life.

(2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).

THE GODHEAD (TRINITY)

There is one God: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; who subsist in unity, and also as three separate distinct Persons.

(Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; John 1:14, 10:30; 2 Cor. 13:14).

GOD THE FATHER

We believe that God the Father is the first person of the Trinity and is the eternal, all-powerful, all-loving, just and perfectly holy, sovereign Ruler and Sustainer of the universe.

(Gen. 1:1; Eph. 4:6; John 1:12-13, 5:19-21, 17:1-5; Isa. 40:21-28, 43:10-13, 46:8-11; Rom. 8:14-16).

GOD THE SON

We believe that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity and God’s Son. He was born of a virgin as both God and man, lived a sinless life, died to atone for the sins of human beings, was buried, arose from the grave, ascended into heaven, and will literally return to earth.

(John 1:1,14,18, 3:16; Luke 1:30-35; Phil. 2:5-8; Col. 2:3,9; Mark 10:45; Acts 2:22-24; John 1:29; Rom. 3:25-26; Heb. 10:5-14; 1 Pet. 2:24, 3:18; John 20:20; Phil. 3:20-21; Heb. 1:3; Rom. 8:34; I John 2:1; Acts 1:11; Heb. 9:28; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 2 Thess 2:7; Matt. 24:44; Rev. 19:11-21; Rev. 21-22).

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is the divine helper, assistant, counselor and instructor and His work is to reveal Christ, convict of sin, lead to repentance, guide believers, comfort, strengthen, and sanctify the soul.

(1 Cor. 13:8, 14:22; John 16:7-8; 1 Cor. 6:19, 12:13; Eph. 1:13-14, 4:30; Gal. 5:16-17, 22-23; Rom. 8:5-13; 1 Pet. 4:10-11; Rom. 12:3-8).

MAN

Man is the special creation of God, made in His image. Man was created to glorify God, worship and serve Him, and have fellowship with Him. Man fell through sin by disobeying God, thus incurring both physical and spiritual death, which alienated him from God. All men are sinners, utterly lost, and totally incapable of saving himself and coming back into right relationship with God by his own merit or effort.

(Gen. 1:26, 2:6-17, 3:17-24; Isa. 59:1-2; Rom. 3:9-19,23, 5:8; Luke 18:26-27; Eph. 2:13).

SALVATION

Salvation is a gift through repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ. Every person who truly is saved is eternally secure in the Lord Jesus Christ and will spend eternity in heaven, while those who die in their sins will spend eternity in hell.

(Eph. 1:7,13-14; John 1:12-13, 3:1-7, 14-16; 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 1:16, 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-10; Rom. 8:14-17, 31-39; John 10:27-29, 14:6; Acts 26:20; 1 Pet. 1:3-5).

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

Every Christian should live for Christ to God’s glory. By obedience to the Word of God, each believer should mature and progressively become more like Jesus. In the power of the Spirit, each believer should live a holy life; be part of a Christian community to build up the body of Christ through serving others; and be personally involved in making disciples to fulfill the great commission.

(Gal. 2:20; 1 Pet. 1:15-16, 2:11; 2 Cor. 5:14-15; Rom. 6:11-13; Eph. 2:10, 4:11-12, 4:22-24; 1 Pet. 4:10-11; Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:18-20; Col. 1:10; John 15:8, 16).

THE CHURCH

The church is a local body of baptized believers with the Lord Jesus Christ as the Head. The purpose of the church is to make Christ known to lost men and to make disciples, and glorify God on earth

(Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 1:20-23, 4:1-6, 4:12-16; Matt. 28:18-20; John 17; Col. 1:24-29).

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you...”

— Matthew 28:18-20