|
| |
Beliefs
 |
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, and
homosexual relations. |
|
