The Bible
- We believe the Scriptures, all 66 canonical books, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament, to be God’s written, inspired, inerrant and infallible revelation that is sufficient and authoritative. (Mark 12:24; John 10:35; John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
- Of necessity this requires that all human experience does not supersede the Scripture, but is subordinate to the Scripture (Luke 16:27-31; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
- We believe the Bible is the final authority for faith and practice for every Christian. We believe it is sufficient for salvation (Luke 16:27-31; 2 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 2:23), sanctification (John 17:17), and spiritual growth (1 Peter 2:2)
- We believe in the literal interpretation of Scripture, which means recognizing figures of speech as such and which also means interpreting a particular passage in light of its context — its literary, historical, and cultural context. We do not believe in the allegorical interpretation of Scripture or spiritualizing a passage.
God
- We believe in the one, true, living, eternal and immutable God who is the Creator, Sustainer and Sovereign of the Universe (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 19:1; Psalm 90:2; Psalm 102:25-27; Psalm 115:3; Daniel 4:35; Isaiah 46:10-11; Jeremiah 10:10; John 17:3; Acts 17:24, 26; Romans 1:20, 25; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Hebrews 1:1-3)
- We believe He is a just Judge who shows no partiality. We believe He is self-existent and self-sufficient (Ex. 3:14; Acts 17:25).
- We believe God is transcendent, that is He is unlike us and other than us(Isaiah 55:8-9).
- We believe God does not lie, is immutable(unchangeable), and will bring to pass what He has said(Numbers 23:19).
- We believe that while there is one God, He is revealed as three distinct persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 4:16-17; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:1-2) who are co-equal in their essence, possessing all the attributes of the Godhead, yet different in their role.
Christ
We believe Jesus Christ, as the second member of the Trinity, is the eternal Son of God (John 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:5; 1 John 1:1), the Savior (Matthew 1:21, 1 Timothy 1:15), and the Lord (Acts 2:36; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 12:3).
We believe in the exclusivity of Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5), the humanity of Christ (John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-7: 1 John 4:2) and the Deity of Christ (John 1:1; John 5:18; John 8:58; John 10:30; John 14:9; John 17:5; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3).
We believe in the finished work of Christ (John 17:4; John 19:30; Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 9:25-26).
We believe in
We believe in the exclusivity of Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5), the humanity of Christ (John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-7: 1 John 4:2) and the Deity of Christ (John 1:1; John 5:18; John 8:58; John 10:30; John 14:9; John 17:5; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3).
We believe in the finished work of Christ (John 17:4; John 19:30; Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 9:25-26).
We believe in
- His sinless life (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22; 1 John 3:5)
- the substitutionary death of Christ as the Sin-bearer for His sheep (Isaiah 53:11-12; John 10:11, 15; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 3:18)
- the glorious resurrection of Christ (Matthew 28:5-6; Acts 2:24-32: Acts 13:35-37; Romans 8:34; Romans 10:9),
- the ascension of Christ (Acts 1:9-11)
- the exaltation of Christ (Acts 2:33; Romans 8:34; Philippians 2:9-11)
- Christ’s continuing ministry of intercession as our Advocate (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1).
The Holy Spirit
We believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to:
Regarding the spectacular miracle gifts which are recorded in Acts and in 1 Corinthians 12-14 (healing, miracles, tongues, etc.), we believe the purpose they served for the early church was to authenticate the apostle’s message of salvation (Hebrews 2:3-4). We believe that none of those gifts are being reproduced today because they were for the foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20) and for the apostolic age, granted only to those who were apostles:
- convict the world of sin (John 16:8)
- to regenerate (John 3:5; Titus 3:5)
- to indwell the believer (Romans 8:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 John 3:24; 1 John 4:13)
- to place the believer into the Body of Christ, the Church (1 Corinthians 12:13)
- to secure the believer’s salvation by sealing him (Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30)
- to empower the believer for service.
Regarding the spectacular miracle gifts which are recorded in Acts and in 1 Corinthians 12-14 (healing, miracles, tongues, etc.), we believe the purpose they served for the early church was to authenticate the apostle’s message of salvation (Hebrews 2:3-4). We believe that none of those gifts are being reproduced today because they were for the foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20) and for the apostolic age, granted only to those who were apostles:
- who were chosen by the incarnate Christ (Luke 6:12-13; Acts 1:1-2; Acts 1:24)
- who lived during Christ’s earthly ministry (Acts 1:21)
- who were eyewitnesses of Christ’s resurrection (Acts 1:22)
- to whom was granted exclusively these miraculous signs and wonders (2 Corinthians 12:12)
Man
We believe that all men are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27; Acts 17:26), but because of the Fall (Genesis 3), we believe man is sinful due to Adam, our federal head (Romans 5:12).
We believe in the depravity of all men, that all men are born sinners (Psalm 51:5) and as such have sinned, falling short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We believe that the charge against all men is that they are under sin, that they are unrighteous, that they do not seek for God, and that they do not do good (Romans 3:9-12).
We believe the unregenerate:
We believe in the depravity of all men, that all men are born sinners (Psalm 51:5) and as such have sinned, falling short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We believe that the charge against all men is that they are under sin, that they are unrighteous, that they do not seek for God, and that they do not do good (Romans 3:9-12).
We believe the unregenerate:
- are hostile to God (Romans 8:7)
- cannot submit to God’s law (Romans 8:7)
- cannot please God (Romans 8:8)
- are dead in their trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1)
- follow the course of this world (Ephesians 2:2)
- follow the prince of the power of the air, namely Satan (Ephesians 2:2)
- live in the passions of their flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and are by nature children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3)
- are darkened in their understanding (Ephesians 4:18)
- are alienated from the life of God (Ephesians 4:18)
- are ignorant (Ephesians 4:18)
- have hardened hearts (Ephesians 4:18)
- are callous (Ephesians 4:19)
- have given themselves over to sensuality (Ephesians 4:19)
- are greedy to practice every kind of impurity (Ephesians 4:19)
- are captured by the devil to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26)
- do not accept the things of the Spirit of God and are not able to understand them (1 Corinthians 2:14)
- the message of the cross is moronic to them (1 Corinthians 1:18)
- are separated from Christ (Ephesians 2:12)
- have no hope (Ephesians 2:12)
- are without God (Ephesians 2:12)
- have a hard and impenitent heart (Romans 2:5) that is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9)
Salvation
We believe that because man is at enmity with God he needs to be reconciled to God (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Colossians 1:21-22).
We believe salvation is all a work of God, from beginning to end, and therefore not a work of man, so that God, not man, gets all the glory. (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14)
We believe that God begins the work of salvation and that God will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6).
We believe when the true Gospel is preached, salvation is impossible apart from the sovereign, gracious work of God (Matthew 19:16-26).
We believe in divine sovereign election whereby God chooses a people from every tribe and language and people and nation before the foundation of the world to be saved and predestined to adoption as sons according to the purpose of His will (Romans 9:10-18; Ephesians 1:4-5; Colossians 3:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; Revelation 5:9).
We believe that God justifies the ungodly through faith apart from any human works by imputing Christ’s perfect righteousness to their account (Romans 4:1-5; Romans 5:18-19; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9).
We believe that the Holy Spirit’s supernatural work of regeneration precedes faith whereby believing in Christ is the result of regeneration (John 1:12-13; 3:1-16; 1 John 5:1).
We believe that a person is secure in their salvation based upon the sovereign work of the Father to draw them to the Savior (John 6:44), based upon the finished work of Christ on the cross, and based upon the securing work of the Spirit (Romans 8:9, 16; Ephesians 1:13-14).
We believe that many have a false assurance of salvation (Matthew 7:22-23).
We believe that praying “The Sinner’s Prayer” is not a ticket to heaven, but being broken over one’s sin and submitting to the Lordship of Christ (Matthew 19:16-22; Acts 2:36; 10:36, 42: Romans 10:9-13).
We believe the outward fruit manifest in a genuine Christian consists of confession of sin (1 John 1:7, 9), obedience (Matthew 7:21, 1 John 2:3-5, 17) and love for other Christians (1 John 2:9-11; 3:10, 14-15; 5:1)
We believe salvation is all a work of God, from beginning to end, and therefore not a work of man, so that God, not man, gets all the glory. (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14)
We believe that God begins the work of salvation and that God will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6).
We believe when the true Gospel is preached, salvation is impossible apart from the sovereign, gracious work of God (Matthew 19:16-26).
We believe in divine sovereign election whereby God chooses a people from every tribe and language and people and nation before the foundation of the world to be saved and predestined to adoption as sons according to the purpose of His will (Romans 9:10-18; Ephesians 1:4-5; Colossians 3:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; Revelation 5:9).
We believe that God justifies the ungodly through faith apart from any human works by imputing Christ’s perfect righteousness to their account (Romans 4:1-5; Romans 5:18-19; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9).
We believe that the Holy Spirit’s supernatural work of regeneration precedes faith whereby believing in Christ is the result of regeneration (John 1:12-13; 3:1-16; 1 John 5:1).
We believe that a person is secure in their salvation based upon the sovereign work of the Father to draw them to the Savior (John 6:44), based upon the finished work of Christ on the cross, and based upon the securing work of the Spirit (Romans 8:9, 16; Ephesians 1:13-14).
We believe that many have a false assurance of salvation (Matthew 7:22-23).
We believe that praying “The Sinner’s Prayer” is not a ticket to heaven, but being broken over one’s sin and submitting to the Lordship of Christ (Matthew 19:16-22; Acts 2:36; 10:36, 42: Romans 10:9-13).
We believe the outward fruit manifest in a genuine Christian consists of confession of sin (1 John 1:7, 9), obedience (Matthew 7:21, 1 John 2:3-5, 17) and love for other Christians (1 John 2:9-11; 3:10, 14-15; 5:1)
The Church
We believe the invisible Church is made up of all genuine believers who are part of the family of believers (Galatians 6:10) and are brothers and sisters in Christ.
We believe the visible Church is made of both believers and unbelievers (Matthew 13:24-30).
We believe the Church is
We believe Christ is the chief cornerstone of the Church (Ephesians 2:19-20).
We believe that Christ will build His Church as He promised (Matthew 16:18).
Because Christ died for the purity of the Church (Ephesians 5:25-27), we believe in church discipline, as outlined by the Lord (Matthew 18:15-17), as practiced by the early church (Acts 5:1-11) and as endorsed by the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 5).
We believe that God gave leaders, i.e. pastor-teachers and evangelists to equip the Body for service (Ephesians 4:11-12). We believe that the role of a pastor is a high calling because God places a premium on the preaching and teaching of His Word (2 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 Peter 4:11; James 3:1; 1 Timothy 5:17). We believe as the shepherd, the pastor is to protect the flock from false teachers (Matthew 7:15-20; Acts 20: 28-31; Titus 1:9; 2 Peter 2; Jude)
We believe all true believers are to commit to church membership in a local body of believers (Philippians 1:1; 1 John 2:19; 3:14) and are to submit to the leadership (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:17)
We believe that the church gathers for worship, fellowship, instruction and service (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Galatians 5:13).
We believe the mission and task of the Church is, as unashamed ambassadors of Christ, to make disciples of Christ by heralding and teaching the Gospel, the message of reconciliation and His excellencies (Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 1:14-16; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; 1 Peter 2:9-10).
We believe in the two ordinances of the Church:
We believe the visible Church is made of both believers and unbelievers (Matthew 13:24-30).
We believe the Church is
- the Bride of Christ
- the Body of Christ, of which Christ alone is the exclusive Head, (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18),
- the army of Christ, of which He is the commanding officer(2 Timothy 2:3-4),
- the sheep, of which He is the Good Shepherd(John 10),
- and a holy and royal priesthood(1 Peter 2:5, 9), of which Christ is the Great High Priest(Hebrews 4:14).
We believe Christ is the chief cornerstone of the Church (Ephesians 2:19-20).
We believe that Christ will build His Church as He promised (Matthew 16:18).
Because Christ died for the purity of the Church (Ephesians 5:25-27), we believe in church discipline, as outlined by the Lord (Matthew 18:15-17), as practiced by the early church (Acts 5:1-11) and as endorsed by the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 5).
We believe that God gave leaders, i.e. pastor-teachers and evangelists to equip the Body for service (Ephesians 4:11-12). We believe that the role of a pastor is a high calling because God places a premium on the preaching and teaching of His Word (2 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 Peter 4:11; James 3:1; 1 Timothy 5:17). We believe as the shepherd, the pastor is to protect the flock from false teachers (Matthew 7:15-20; Acts 20: 28-31; Titus 1:9; 2 Peter 2; Jude)
We believe all true believers are to commit to church membership in a local body of believers (Philippians 1:1; 1 John 2:19; 3:14) and are to submit to the leadership (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:17)
We believe that the church gathers for worship, fellowship, instruction and service (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Galatians 5:13).
We believe the mission and task of the Church is, as unashamed ambassadors of Christ, to make disciples of Christ by heralding and teaching the Gospel, the message of reconciliation and His excellencies (Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 1:14-16; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; 1 Peter 2:9-10).
We believe in the two ordinances of the Church:
- the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
- believer’s baptism (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:37-41; 8:35-39; 16:30-34)
The End Times
We believe in
- the return of Christ for His Church (John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
- the transformation of believers at His return (1 Corinthians 15:49-53; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2)
- the resurrection of the dead, some to life and some to judgement (John 5:28-29; 1 Corinthians 15:35-48)
- the destruction of the present world by fire for a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1-8)
- the ultimate defeat of Satan (Revelation 20:1-10)
- the separation of the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:31-32)
- the Great White Throne judgement of Christ (Revelation 20:11-15)