What We Believe
What We Believe
The Nature of God
God is the one true, eternal, and self-existent Creator (Deut. 6:4; Psalm 90:2). He exists as a Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). God is all-knowing (Psalm 147:5), all-powerful (Jer. 32:17), and present everywhere (Psalm 139:7-10). He is perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3), just, and righteous in all His ways (Deut. 32:4). God’s nature is also defined by love (1 John 4:8), mercy, and grace (Psalm 103:8). He is unchanging and faithful throughout all generations (Malachi 3:6), worthy of all worship, trust, and obedience. His character reveals His glory and His deep desire for relationship with humanity.
The Trinity
The Trinity is the biblical truth that the one true God exists eternally in three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). The Father is the Creator and Sustainer of all things (Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:17). The Son, Jesus Christ, is fully God and fully man, who became flesh to redeem humanity (John 1:1, 14). The Holy Spirit is God’s abiding presence within believers, empowering, guiding, and transforming them (1 Cor. 3:16). Though distinct in person, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one in essence, co-equal, co-eternal, and perfectly united in will and purpose.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born of a virgin, fulfilling prophecy (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:26–35). He lived a sinless life (Heb. 4:15) and performed miracles to reveal His divine authority (John 10:38). Jesus died on the cross as a substitutionary atonement for sin (1 Peter 3:18), was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day (1 Cor. 15:4). He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:9). Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6) and will return in glory to judge and reign forever (Matt. 24:30; Rev. 22:12).
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, active in God’s redemptive work. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8), drawing people to repentance. The Spirit regenerates believers, giving them new life in Christ (Titus 3:5). He empowers believers to be witnesses and live out their faith boldly (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit produces spiritual fruit such as love, joy, peace, and self-control in the lives of believers (Gal. 5:22–23). He also distributes spiritual gifts for the building up of the Church and service in God’s Kingdom (1 Cor. 12:4–11).
The Bible
The Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God, breathed out by Him and inspirable for teaching, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). It is without error and perfectly trustworthy (Psalm 19:7). As the ultimate authority for faith and practice, believers are called to live by every word that comes from God (Matt. 4:4). The Bible reveals God’s will and transforms minds, enabling believers to discern what is good, pleasing, and perfect in His sight (Rom. 12:2). Through Scripture, God speaks to His people, revealing His character, His plan of salvation, and His purposes for all creation.
The Church
The Church is the body of Christ, consisting of all believers united in Him (1 Cor. 12:27). It is called to worship God in spirit and truth, honoring Him fully (John 4:23-24). The Church’s mission is to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19-20). It serves as a loving community where believers fellowship, pray, and grow together in faith (Acts 2:42-47). The Church also administers the sacraments of baptism and communion, commanded by Christ as expressions of faith and remembrance of His sacrifice (Matt. 28:19; Luke 22:19-20).
Humanity
Humanity was created in the image of God, reflecting His nature and designed for His glory (Gen. 1:27; Isaiah 43:7). However, all humans have sinned and fall short of God’s perfect standard (Rom. 3:23). Sin separates people from God, breaking the relationship He intended (Isaiah 59:2). Because of this, humanity is spiritually lost and incapable of saving itself through good works or effort (Eph. 2:8–9). Only by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ can people be restored to fellowship with Him. This truth highlights both human dignity and the desperate need for redemption through God’s mercy and love.
Salvation
Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith and not by human works (Eph. 2:8–9). Through Jesus’ sacrificial death, the penalty for sin was fully paid (Rom. 6:23), making forgiveness and reconciliation with God possible. Those who believe are justified—declared righteous before God—by faith (Rom. 5:1). Salvation also begins the lifelong process of sanctification, where believers grow in holiness and obedience (1 Thess. 4:3). Ultimately, salvation secures the promise of eternal life with God through Jesus Christ (John 3:16). It is a complete work of God’s love, redeeming and transforming all who believe in Him.
Christian Living
Christian living is marked by wholehearted love for God (Matt. 22:37) and love for others (Matt. 22:39). Believers are called to live holy lives, reflecting God’s character (1 Peter 1:15–16), and to forgive others as God has forgiven them (Matt. 6:14–15). Christians are commanded to share their faith and be witnesses of Christ’s love and truth (Acts 1:8). They are also to care for the poor and needy, serving with compassion (Matt. 25:35–40). As stewards of God’s blessings, Christians must manage their time, gifts, and resources faithfully and responsibly (1 Cor. 4:2), living lives that honor and glorify God.
Prayer and Worship
Prayer and worship are vital aspects of the Christian life. Prayer is essential for fellowship with God, allowing believers to express their needs, gratitude, and dependence on Him (Phil. 4:6–7). Through prayer, Christians experience God’s peace and guidance. Worship glorifies God and strengthens believers, drawing them into deeper reverence and awe of His majesty (Psalm 95:6–7). It is both personal and communal, expressed through singing, Scripture, and obedience. Thanksgiving and praise are central to worship, as believers enter God’s presence with hearts full of gratitude (Psalm 100:4). Together, prayer and worship deepen our relationship with God and align us with His will.
The Sacraments
The sacraments are sacred practices ordained by Christ to symbolize and affirm the believer’s faith. Baptism represents a believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:4). It signifies the washing away of sin and the beginning of a new life in Christ. Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper, commemorates Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross (1 Cor. 11:24–26). By partaking of the bread and cup, believers remember His body broken and blood shed for the forgiveness of sins. These sacraments nurture spiritual growth, unite the Church, and affirm the believer’s covenant relationship with God.
Spiritual Realities
Spiritual realities are essential to the Christian worldview. Satan is a real but defeated enemy who seeks to deceive and destroy (1 Peter 5:8); his defeat was sealed through Christ’s victory on the cross (Col. 2:15). Angels are spiritual beings sent by God to serve and protect believers (Heb. 1:14). Heaven is the eternal home Jesus has prepared for those who trust in Him, where believers will dwell with God forever (John 14:2–3). In contrast, hell is a place of eternal separation from God for those who reject Him, marked by judgment and finality (Rev. 20:15).
Christian Hope
Christian hope rests on the character and promises of God. He is faithful to every promise, remaining patient and merciful toward His people (2 Pet. 3:9). Believers possess eternal security in Christ, for no one can snatch them from His hand (John 10:28–29). We look forward to the full establishment of God’s Kingdom, when Christ will reign forever and justice will prevail (Rev. 11:15). Ultimately, all creation will be renewed—mourning, pain, and death will be gone, and God will dwell with His people in a restored heaven and earth (Rev. 21:5). This sure and steadfast hope sustains and motivates the Christian life.
Moral and Ethical Teachings
God’s Word illuminates moral truth, guiding believers in righteousness (Psalm 119:105). Christians are called to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God (Micah 6:8), advocating for the oppressed and vulnerable. Believers must speak the truth in love, building up the body of Christ with integrity and grace (Eph. 4:15). Every aspect of life—speech, work, relationships—should reflect Christ’s character and lordship (Col. 3:17). By embodying God’s ethical standards, Christians demonstrate His holiness to the world, becoming salt and light that point others to God’s transforming power and justice.
Marriage
Marriage is a sacred covenant established by God between one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4–6). Designed to mirror Christ’s relationship with the Church (Eph. 5:25–32), marriage is a lifelong union marked by faithfulness and commitment (Matt. 19:6). Husbands and wives are equal in value, created in God’s image, yet called to complementary roles of leadership and submission out of reverence for Christ (Gen. 1:27; Eph. 5:22–33). Within this covenant, marriage provides the God-ordained context for intimacy, joyful love, and procreation (Heb. 13:4), reflecting everlasting, covenantal faithfulness throughout life’s seasons in all stages of marriage.
Family
The family is God’s design for nurturing faith and discipleship, teaching children to love and obey Him throughout daily life through regular teaching and example (Deut. 6:6–7). Parents are called to raise their children with godly instruction and admonition, fostering spiritual growth and maturity (Eph. 6:4). Within families, relationships should reflect love, respect, and honor toward one another, modeling Christ’s love (Col. 3:18–21). The family serves as a picture of God’s care and faithfulness, illustrating His compassionate provision for His people (Isaiah 49:15; Matt. 7:11). Forgiveness and grace are essential in family life, enabling reconciliation, healing, and unity (Col. 3:13).
Children
Children are a precious gift from God and a blessing to families, treasured as His inheritance (Psalm 127:3–5). Created in God’s image, they bear intrinsic value and dignity (Gen. 1:27; Matt. 19:14). Parents are entrusted with the vital task of teaching God’s Word and ways, weaving Scripture into everyday life (Deut. 6:6–9). Children, in turn, are called to honor and obey their parents as an expression of reverence for God (Exod. 20:12; Eph. 6:1). Discipline and instruction should be administered with loving consistency rather than anger, guiding children toward wisdom and godly character (Prov. 22:6; Col. 3:21).
Death
Death entered the world through sin (Rom. 5:12), yet Christ conquered its power through resurrection (1 Cor. 15:54–57). Physical death is a transition for believers, ushering them into the presence of the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23). Those who trust in Christ receive eternal life (John 3:16; 11:25–26), assured of a final resurrection that restores bodies. Believers’ souls dwell with Christ at death, anticipating resurrection bodies. Unbelievers face eternal separation and judgment (Luke 16:22–26; Rev. 20:15). Thus, death for Christians is defeated and temporary, a passage to perpetual life with God, while for the unredeemed it is a divide from divine fellowship.
Resurrection
Jesus Christ’s resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian hope, securing victory over death (1 Cor. 15:20–22). Scripture teaches a universal resurrection: the righteous to eternal life and the unrighteous to judgment (John 5:28–29). Believers will receive glorified, imperishable bodies, free from corruption and weakness (1 Cor. 15:42–44). This resurrection guarantees ultimate triumph over sin and death, uniting us with Christ in His victorious life (Rom. 6:5; 1 Cor. 15:55). Furthermore, the resurrection ushers believers into eternal life with God in a new heaven and earth, where sorrow and death are no more (Rev. 21:1–4). Our hope rests on this living promise of renewal and restoration.
Born Again
Born again signifies the essential spiritual rebirth necessary for salvation: Jesus taught that one must be born again to enter God’s Kingdom (John 3:3–5). This 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 occurs freely through faith in Jesus, receiving Him as Lord and Savior (John 1:12–13). Those born again are saved from sin and granted eternal, everlasting life (John 3:16; 1 Peter 1:23). The transformation continually produces powerful, abundant spiritual fruit—love, joy, peace, and obedience—evidencing grace-filled, genuine faith (Gal. 5:22–23; 1 John 3:9).
Stewardship
Christian stewardship is the faithful management of God’s resources entrusted to us. As stewards, we recognize that everything belongs to God (Psalm 24:1) and we are called to honor Him with our time, talents, and treasures (Matthew 25:14–30). We give generously and cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:6–7), serve others with love (1 Peter 4:10), and live as caretakers of creation (Genesis 2:15). True stewardship reflects our gratitude, trust, and obedience to God, seeking to glorify Him in all we do (Colossians 3:23–24). It is an act of worship and a reflection of our faith in Christ.
Sin
All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23; Rom. 5:12). Sin separates people from God, creating a barrier that leads to spiritual death (Isaiah 59:2; Rom. 6:23). Jesus paid the penalty for sin through His death on the cross, offering redemption and reconciliation (1 John 2:2; Col. 1:19–20). Repentance is necessary for forgiveness, as turning from sin and confessing it brings cleansing through Christ (1 John 1:9; Acts 3:19). Victory over sin is possible because believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, no longer slaves to sin and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live righteously (Rom. 6:6–7; Gal. 5:16).
The Gospel
The Gospel is the good news that although all have sinned (Rom. 3:23) and face death (Rom. 6:23), God in His love sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins (John 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:3), to rise again on the third day (1 Cor. 15:4), demonstrating His victory over sin and death. Through faith in Christ alone we are justified (Rom. 5:1) and born again (John 3:3). The Holy Spirit regenerates and empowers us (Titus 3:5; Acts 1:8), securing eternal life (John 5:24) and calling us to make disciples (Matt. 28:19–20). We respond by repenting and following Him.
Baptism
Baptism is an act of obedience commanded by Jesus, marking a believer’s allegiance to Him (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38). It represents spiritual cleansing, signifying the washing away of sin and the start of new life in Christ (Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). Through baptism, believers identify with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, symbolizing dying to sin and rising to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3–4; Col. 2:12). As a public declaration of faith, baptism follows a personal decision to trust Christ as Lord and Savior and is reserved for those who have embraced Him (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12–13).
Communion
Communion is a command of Christ: Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper as a remembrance of His sacrifice (Luke 22:19–20; 1 Cor 11:24–25). It symbolizes Christ’s body broken and blood shed for the forgiveness of sins through bread and cup (Matt 26:26–28). Communion is a proclamation of the Lord’s death until He returns, uniting believers in His redemptive work (1 Cor 11:26). It requires self-examination, repentance, and a sincere heart to discern the body and reflect on one’s relationship with Christ (1 Cor 11:27–29). As a covenant meal, communion nurtures communion with God and the body of Christ. It fosters unity, remembrance, and hope.
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). Heaven’s beauty, radiance, and communion with the Triune God surpass human comprehension, as the new creation unfolds under His reign. This hope anchors believers in faith, encouraging perseverance and holy living in joyful anticipation.
Hell
Hell is the place of eternal separation from God for those who reject His salvation, where individuals are cut off from His life-giving presence (2 Thess. 1:9). It is described as a realm of unending punishment—symbolized by fire, darkness, and torment—reflecting the severity of divine justice (Matt. 25:46; Rev. 20:15). Hell’s existence underscores God’s righteousness in judging sin and rebellion, ensuring that justice aligns with His holy nature (Rom. 2:5–6; Rev. 19:1–2). Jesus warned of this reality to call people to repentance and faith (Matt. 10:28; Luke 16:22–24). Though prepared originally for Satan and his angels, hell also becomes the destiny of all who follow him in defiance of God (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10).
End Times
The end times will culminate in the visible, bodily return of Jesus Christ to earth (Acts 1:11). Scripture teaches a resurrection of the dead, in which believers receive immortal bodies and the unjust rise for judgment (1 Cor. 15:42–44; John 5:28–29). A final judgment will occur before the great white throne, where every person’s deeds are revealed and judged (Rev. 20:11–15). Believers, redeemed by Christ, will dwell eternally with God in a new heaven and earth, free from sorrow and death (Rev. 21:3–4). Those who reject God’s gift of salvation will face eternal separation from His presence (Matt. 25:46.
