The Bible

 

We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are God’s revelation of Himself to mankind. They were written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, with the result that Scripture is God’s Word—entirely true and without error in the original writings. They are the supreme and final authority for Christian beliefs and living. We further believe that the focus of all Scripture is the person and work of Jesus Christ.

(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:11, 89, 105, 160; Jude 3; Romans 15:4; Titus 1:1-3)

 

God

 

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1,26,27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; Peter 1:2;

2 Corinthians 13:14) You have a Creator and a God that can be trusted.

 

Jesus Christ

 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was both fully God and fully human lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people 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 someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 8:58, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 2:5-11;

1 Timothy 6: 14-15; Titus 2:13) Jesus, the Son of God, sacrificed Himself so that you could have a relationship with God.

 

Holy Spirit

 

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian with power for living, understanding spiritual truths, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16: 7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8, Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:25) As a Christian, the Holy Spirit works in you and through you.

 

Salvation

 

Salvation is God’s free gift to us. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (Romans 5:1, 6:23; Ephesians 2:9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26) Sin separates us from God, but God has provided a way, through Jesus Christ, for us to have a restored relationship with Him.

 

Baptism

 

People are baptized after they trust Jesus Christ with their lives.  Believers’ baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience that symbolizes a person’s faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in a new life under the lordship of Jesus Christ. It is visible evidence of a person’s faith in God and His promises, including the final resurrection of the dead. Baptism by immersion is a requirement for church membership.

 

The Church

 

As a Church member, you are a part of a community of believers. Being a church member means that you have certain opportunities and responsibilities. A New Testament Christian church is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by a common faith in and community that centers on the gospel. A local church observes Believers Baptism and the Lord’s Supper and is governed by the principles found in Scripture. A local church also is responsible for exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges with which God has empowered its members through His Word. A local church always looks for ways to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. The New Testament speaks also of the church as the Body of Christ, which includes all believers from every time and place. (Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4;

Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.)