What We Believe
What We Believe
The Nature of God
There is one true God (Deut. 6:4).
God is eternal and self-existent (Psalm 90:2)
God is Triune: Father, Son, Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).
God is omniscient (all-knowing) (Psalm 147:5).
God is omnipotent (all-powerful) (Jer. 32:17).
God is omnipresent (everywhere) (Psalm 139:7-10).
God is holy (Isaiah 6:3).
God is just and righteous (Deut. 32:4).
God is love (1 John 4:8).
God is merciful and gracious (Psalm 103:8).
God is unchanging (Malachi 3:6).
The Trinity
God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).
The Father is the Creator and Sustainer (Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:17).
The Son is fully God and fully man (John 1:1, 14).
The Holy Spirit is God’s presence within believers (1 Cor. 3:16).
Jesus Christ
Jesus was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:26-35).
Jesus lived a sinless life (Heb. 4:15).
Jesus performed miracles (John 10:38).
Jesus died as a substitutionary atonement for sin (1 Peter 3:18).
Jesus rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:4).
Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9).
Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6).
Jesus will return to judge and reign (Matt. 24:30; Rev. 22:12).
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin (John 16:8).
The Holy Spirit regenerates believers (Titus 3:5).
The Holy Spirit empowers believers (Acts 1:8).
The Holy Spirit produces fruit in believers (Gal. 5:22-23).
The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:4-11).
The Bible
The Bible is God’s inspired Word (2 Tim. 3:16).
The Bible is infallible and without error (Psalm 19:7).
The Bible is authoritative for faith and practice (Matt. 4:4).
The Bible reveals God’s will (Rom. 12:2).
Humanity
Humans are created in God’s image (Gen. 1:27).
Humans were created for God’s glory (Isaiah 43:7).
All humans are sinners by nature (Rom. 3:23).
Sin separates humans from God (Isaiah 59:2).
Humans are incapable of saving themselves (Eph. 2:8-9).
Salvation
Salvation is by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9).
Jesus’ sacrifice paid the penalty for sin (Rom. 6:23).
Salvation includes justification (Rom. 5:1).
Salvation leads to sanctification (1 Thess. 4:3).
Salvation secures eternal life (John 3:16).
The Church
The Church is the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27).
The Church is called to worship God (John 4:23-24).
The Church is called to proclaim the Gospel (Matt. 28:19-20).
The Church is a community of believers (Acts 2:42-47).
The Church administers baptism and communion (Matt. 28:19; Luke 22:19-20).
Christian Living
Christians are to love God wholeheartedly (Matt. 22:37).
Christians are to love their neighbors (Matt. 22:39).
Christians are called to live holy lives (1 Peter 1:15-16).
Christians are to forgive others (Matt. 6:14-15).
Christians are to share their faith (Acts 1:8).
Christians are to help the poor and needy (Matt. 25:35-40).
Christians are to be good stewards of resources (1 Cor. 4:2).
Prayer and Worship
Prayer is essential for fellowship with God (Phil. 4:6-7).
Worship glorifies God and builds believers (Psalm 95:6-7).
Thanksgiving and praise are integral to worship (Psalm 100:4).
The Sacraments
Baptism symbolizes identification with Christ (Rom. 6:4).
Communion commemorates Jesus’ sacrifice (1 Cor. 11:24-26).
Spiritual Realities
Satan is a real, defeated enemy (1 Peter 5:8; Col. 2:15).
Angels are God’s messengers (Heb. 1:14).
Heaven is the eternal home for believers (John 14:2-3).
Hell is a place of eternal separation from God (Rev. 20:15).
Christian Hope
God is faithful to His promises (2 Peter 3:9).
Believers have eternal security in Christ (John 10:28-29).
God’s Kingdom will be fully established (Rev. 11:15).
All things will be made new (Rev. 21:5).
Moral and Ethical Teachings
God’s Word defines right and wrong (Psalm 119:105).
Christians are called to seek justice (Micah 6:8).
Believers are to speak truth in love (Eph. 4:15).
Christians are called to reflect Christ in all they do (Col. 3:17).
Marriage
Marriage is a sacred covenant established by God between one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6).
It is designed to reflect Christ’s relationship with the Church (Eph. 5:25-32).
Marriage is lifelong, with faithfulness and commitment central to its purpose (Matt. 19:6).
Husbands and wives are equal in value but have complementary roles (Gen. 1:27; Eph. 5:22-33).
Marriage is the God-ordained context for intimacy and procreation (Heb. 13:4).
Family
The family is God’s design for nurturing faith and discipleship (Deut. 6:6-7).
Parents are called to raise children in the knowledge and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).
Family relationships are to reflect love, respect, and honor (Col. 3:18-21).
The family serves as a model for God’s relationship with His people (Isaiah 49:15; Matt. 7:11).
Forgiveness and grace are essential in family relationships (Col. 3:13).
Children
Children are a gift from God and a blessing to families (Psalm 127:3-5).
They are created in God’s image and valued by Him (Gen. 1:27; Matt. 19:14).
Parents are tasked with teaching children God’s Word and ways (Deut. 6:6-9).
Children are called to honor and obey their parents (Exodus 20:12; Eph. 6:1).
Discipline and instruction should be done in love, not anger (Prov. 22:6; Col. 3:21).
Death
Death entered the world through sin, but Christ conquered its power (Rom. 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:54-57).
Physical death is a transition, not the end, for believers (2 Cor. 5:8).
Those who trust in Christ will have eternal life (John 3:16; John 11:25-26).
The souls of believers go immediately to be with the Lord upon death (Phil. 1:23).
Unbelievers face eternal separation from God (Luke 16:22-26; Rev. 20:15).
Resurrection
Jesus Christ’s resurrection is the foundation of Christian hope (1 Cor. 15:20-22).
There will be a resurrection for all: the righteous to eternal life and the unrighteous to judgment (John 5:28-29).
Believers will receive glorified, imperishable bodies (1 Cor. 15:42-44).
The resurrection guarantees the ultimate victory over sin and death (Rom. 6:5; 1 Cor. 15:55).
The resurrection ushers believers into eternal life with God in a new heaven and earth (Rev. 21:1-4).
Born Again
New Birth is Essential for Salvation: Jesus taught that being born again is necessary to enter God’s Kingdom (John 3:3-5).
It is a Spiritual Transformation: The new birth is a work of the Holy Spirit, regenerating believers and making them new creations in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17; Titus 3:5).
It Happens Through Faith in Christ: Being born again occurs by believing in Jesus Christ and receiving Him as Lord and Savior (John 1:12-13).
It Brings Eternal Life: Those born again are saved from sin and receive eternal life (John 3:16; 1 Peter 1:23).
It Produces Spiritual Fruit: A born-again believer shows evidence of transformation through love, obedience, and the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23; 1 John 3:9).
Sin
All Humans are Sinners by Nature: Sin entered the world through Adam, and all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23; Rom. 5:12).
Sin Separates People from God: Sin creates a barrier between humans and a holy God, leading to spiritual death (Isaiah 59:2; Rom. 6:23).
Jesus Paid the Penalty for Sin: Christ’s death on the cross is the atonement for sin, offering redemption and reconciliation to God (1 John 2:2; Col. 1:19-20).
Repentance is Necessary for Forgiveness: Turning from sin and confessing it leads to forgiveness and cleansing through Christ (1 John 1:9; Acts 3:19).
Victory Over Sin is Possible: Believers are no longer slaves to sin but are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live righteously (Rom. 6:6-7; Gal. 5:16).
Baptism
Baptism is an Act of Obedience: It is a command of Jesus for believers, symbolizing their faith in Him (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38).
It Represents Spiritual Cleansing: Baptism signifies the washing away of sin and the believer’s new life in Christ (Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21).
It Identifies with Christ’s Death and Resurrection: Baptism symbolizes dying to sin and being raised to a new life through Christ (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12).
It is for Believers Only: Baptism follows a personal decision to trust Jesus as Lord and Savior (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12-13).
Communion
Communion is a Command of Christ: Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper as a way to remember His sacrifice (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:24-25).
It Symbolizes Christ’s Body and Blood: The bread and cup represent Jesus’ body broken and blood shed for the forgiveness of sins (Matt. 26:26-28).
It is a Proclamation of Christ’s Death: Through communion, believers proclaim the Lord’s death until He returns (1 Cor. 11:26).
It Requires Self-Examination: Communion calls for reflection, repentance, and a right heart before God (1 Cor. 11:27-29).
Heaven
Heaven is God’s Eternal Dwelling Place: Heaven is the home of God’s presence, angels, and redeemed believers (Isaiah 66:1; Rev. 21:3).
It is a Place of Eternal Joy: Heaven offers perfect peace, worship, and fellowship with God, free from suffering and death (Rev. 21:4; Psalm 16:11).
Believers Receive Glorified Bodies: Those in Christ will be transformed with bodies suited for eternal life (1 Cor. 15:42-44).
Hell
Hell is a Place of Separation from God: It is where those who reject God’s salvation face eternal separation from His presence (2 Thess. 1:9).
It is a Place of Eternal Punishment: Hell is described as a place of unending suffering, symbolized by fire and darkness (Matt. 25:46; Rev. 20:15).
Hell is Just and Righteous: God’s judgment of sin and rebellion is fair and in line with His holy nature (Rom. 2:5-6; Rev. 19:1-2).
Jesus Warned About Hell: Jesus often spoke of hell as a reality to urge repentance and faith (Matt. 10:28; Luke 16:22-24).
Hell Was Prepared for Satan and His Angels: Though originally created for Satan, it also becomes the destiny of those who follow him in rebellion (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10).
End Times
Jesus will return visibly and bodily (Acts 1:11).
There will be a resurrection of the dead (1 Cor. 15:42-44).
There will be a final judgment (Rev. 20:11-15).
Believers will dwell eternally with God (Rev. 21:3-4).
Unbelievers will face eternal separation from God (Matt. 25:46).
