Beliefs
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1. WE BELIEVE that the SCRIPTURES of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of GOD, fully inspired, without error in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and practice.
| 2. WE BELIEVE that there is ONE LIVING AND TRUE GOD, eternally existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; that this triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all.
| 3. WE BELIEVE in JESUS CHRIST, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings, His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people and personal, visible return to earth. We believe in His first coming Jesus inaugurated the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God.
| 4. WE BELIEVE in the HOLY SPIRIT, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ; we believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Guide and Helper who produces the fruit of Christ-like character in the believer. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all the Biblical gifts of the Spirit. We further believe that God divinely empowers believers for service by baptizing them in the Holy Spirit to be witnesses according to Acts 1:8.
| 5. WE BELIEVE that ALL HUMANS ARE SINNERS and need a radical SALVATION which God alone can provide through Jesus Christ. We believe men must repent of violating God’s standards, trust in the risen Lord Jesus alone for salvation, and receive him as Lord. Works have no part in salvation but are the fruits of obedience. The first major step of obedience is baptism in water.
| 6. WE BELIEVE God purposes and provides for a Christ-like LIFE OF HOLINESS, POWER, AND LOVE FOR ALL BELIEVERS. The out working of this life involves separation from the world, overcoming Satanic forces and undivided devotion to the Lord Jesus and His Word.
| 7. WE BELIEVE in the universal CHURCH, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the Head, and all regenerated persons are members. We further believe in local churches, in which God intends all believers to be a functioning part. The local church assembles primarily to worship God, build up the believers, celebrate the Lord’s Supper, carry out the Great Commission, and minister to the poor and the sick.
| 8. WE BELIEVE in the personal, visible, and immanent RETURN OF CHRIST to earth and the consummation of His Kingdom; in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal blessing of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked.
| 9. WE
BELIEVE that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection provide the
only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only
such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and, thus, become
children of God.
| 10. WE
BELIEVE that water baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances to be
observed by the Church during the present age. They are, however, not to be
regarded as a means of salvation.
| 11. WE BELIEVE that the true Church is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. |
| 12. WE BELIEVE that marriage is biblically defined as being between one man and one woman. We believe than any sexual relations outside of a biblically defined marriage are sinful. This would include pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex, polygamous and homosexual relations. |