WHAT WE BELIEVE
The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us, and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried. Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalm 119:11, 89, 105; Proverbs 30:5; Isaiah 40:8; John 5:39; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 1:1-2
The Trinity
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, living and true God, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 61:1; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; James 2:19
Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He was present with the Father at creation and had fellowship with the Father and Spirit before man was created. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life, and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people through His death on the cross. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory. Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21; John 1:1, 14; John 3:16; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:15
The Way of Salvation
We believe that the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of Jesus, the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour. We believe that salvation is a free gift and only occurs when a person repents and places their faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the sufficient payment for their sin. Luke 1:68-69; John 1:12; 3:16; Acts 2:21; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 John 2:2; Revelation 3:20
Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is the process by which according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work that is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried out in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 2:12-13; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 13:5
Baptism and the Lord's Supper
We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost. We believe that baptism symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus that has made possible our salvation. That a person through faith in Christ has passed from death to life and that this person has identified with Christ’s death and resurrection. Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper at His last meal with his disciples as part of the Jewish Passover. In partaking of the bread and the cup, Christ’s disciples are to remember His sacrifice on the cross as He gave His body and shed His blood for our sins. Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41-42; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; Matthew 26:26-30; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
The World to Come
We believe the Scriptures teach that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day, Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave for final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness. Revelation 21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Hebrews 9:27-28; Revelation 21:27
Marriage
We believe marriage has been ordained by God and that the term "marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. We believe throughout the whole of Scripture, heterosexuality is both assumed and affirmed as God's order of creation. We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God and are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible. Genesis 2:24; Genesis 19:5-29; Genesis 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; I Corinthians 5:1; I Corinthians 6:9; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4. Matthew 19:4-6