What We Believe

1. About God God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

2. About Jesus Christ Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13

3. About the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

4. About the Bible The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

5. About Human Beings People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2

6. About Salvation Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

7. About Eternal Security Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.

John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

8. About Eternity People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Cor. 2:7-9

SECTION 1. BIBLIOLOGY

(The Doctrine of the Bible): We believe the Holy Scriptures are the inerrant, infallible, verbally and plenarily inspired: authoritative Word of God. A proper understanding of Bibliology is foundational, as the Bible is the source book for all doctrine and practice. They are to be received as the authoritative Word of God bearing an authority superior to that of the Church, or its creeds, councils, or declarations. The Holy Scriptures in their entirety, down to the very words of the original autographs, were given by divine inspiration. Inspiration was that work whereby God by His Spirit, through human writers utilizing their distinct personalities and literary styles, gave us His Word. Because of inspiration, Scripture is inerrant, infallible, completely true and reliable in all matters it addresses, free from all falsehood or deceit. Those sixty-six books, thirty-nine in the Old Testament and twenty-seven in the New Testament, have their place in the Bible on the basis of their inspiration and were recognized and submitted to as inspired and canonical by the Church and stand as our final standard for faith and practice.

(2Tim 3:16; 2Pet 1:20-21; 2Tim 1:13; Ps 119:105, 160, 12:6; Prov 30:5; Mt 5:18)

SECTION 2. THEOLOGY

(The Doctrine of God): We believe there is one, and only one, living and true God and His divine nature is undivided and indivisible. There exist three eternal distinctions in the divine essence, known respectively as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is self-existent, self-sufficient, eternal, infinite, omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, wise, immutable, sovereign, incomprehensible, inscrutable, holy, righteous and just, true, faithful, good, gracious, merciful, and loving.

(Gen 1:1, 26-27; Ps 90:2; Mt 28:19; 1Pet 1:2; 2Co 13:14; Dan 4:35; Ps 24:1; Eph 1:11; 1Tim 6:15).

SECTION 3. CHRISTOLOGY

(The Doctrine of Christ): We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal, pre-existent Son of God. He appeared and ministered in the Old Testament. He became flesh in the person of Jesus of Nazareth and was born of the virgin Mary by miraculous conception and virgin birth. He is fully God and fully man; perfect deity and humanity. He lived a sinless human life, perfect by fulfilling the divine law, and then offered Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of every person. He died on the cross, shedding His blood, in full substitution and atonement for the sins of all men everywhere. He was buried, and on the third day He arose bodily from the dead, alive forevermore. He later ascended bodily into heaven where at the right hand of the Father, He now intercedes for those who believe in Him.

(Jn 1:1-2, 14; Luke 1:35; Rom 3:24-25, 4:25; 2Co 5:21; 1Pet 1:3-5, 2:22; Heb 4:15, 9:24; Rom 8:34; 1Jn 2:1-2, 3:5).

SECTION 4. PNEUMATOLOGY

(The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit): We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit actively ministered in the Old Testament through creation, revelation and in a special selective manner with men. The Holy Spirit was active in all aspects of Christ’s life, from His birth to His death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit today has a prime ministry in salvation as He convicts, regenerates, indwells, baptizes (this baptism occurs at salvation and is not a subsequent or second work of grace), and seals the new believers. Since the New Testament has been completed the sign gifts are no longer necessary and therefore should not be sought. The Holy Spirit produces fruit and gives gifts, He also controls, teaches, guides, assures and prays for believers.

(2Co 3:17; Jn 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1Co 2:12, 3:16; Eph 1:13-14, 5:1, 8; Gal 5:25; Rom 8:9; 1Co 12:12-14).

SECTION 5. ANGELOLOGY

(The Doctrine of Angels, Demons and Satan): We believe in the existence of specially created beings called angels. These spirit beings are generally invisible and from a human standpoint they are innumerable. They possess separate personalities and bear the image of God. They are basically superior to man, yet inferior to God. There are holy, elect angels and unholy, fallen angels (demons). The elect angels minister in behalf of God to believers, the nations of the world, and to unbelievers. They also had significant ministry to Christ. The fallen angels were persuaded to do so by the fallen cherub, Satan. Satan now uses his gifts and abilities to attempt to oppose God at every level and by every possible means. The fallen angels or demons assist Satan in his scheme. Eventually, Satan and all his demons will be cast into the lake of fire.

(Job 1:6-7; Mt 4:2-11; Is 14:12-17; Jude 6; Rev 5:11; Ez 28:11-19; Dan 10:12-13).

SECTION 6. ECCLESIOLOGY

(The Doctrine of the Church): We believe that the Church of Jesus Christ needs to be understood in two senses, namely universal and local. In the universal sense the church consists of all those during this age who have been born of God’s Spirit and have therefore been baptized into the body of Christ. In the local sense, a church is a called out living assembly of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith, organized by New Testament principles, assembling regularly together, led by qualified pastors who are supported by qualified deacons, under the discipline of God’s Word and the headship of Christ, observing the ordinances, with the purpose of expressing praise and glory to God by evangelizing the lost and equipping the saved.

(Rom 12:5; 1Co 12:27; Eph 1:22-23, 4:11-15, 5:23-25; Col 1:18-24, 4:19; 1Tim 3:1-13; 2Tim 4:2; Titus 1:5-9; Luke 22:19; 1Co 11:23-30; Acts 2:41, 8:38-39, 18:8; Col 2:12

SECTION 7. ANTHROPOLOGY

(The Doctrine of Man): We believe that man came into being through a special creative act of God. Man is the crowning part of God’s creation, in that he was created in God’s image and was given dominion over the earth. Man is basically a three part unity. He fell from his original state of holy innocence and probation through willful disobedience. As a result, God’s image was marred, death was introduced to the world and the sin nature has been passed down through his posterity. All men currently fit into the three categories of being either natural, carnal, or spiritual.

(Gen 1:26-27, 2:21-23, 5:1; Ps 8:3-6; Is 53:6a, 59:1-2; Rom 3:23, 5:12-19).

SECTION 8. HAMARTIOLOGY

(The Doctrine of Sin): We believe that sin is a deification of self, a dethronement of God, a failure to obey God’s law and/or a violation of God’s law. It entered the universe when Lucifer attempted to revolt against God. It entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden. All men have inherited the sin nature from Adam and all are totally depraved prior to salvation. Sin has tragic results upon others. The basis of ultimate and complete victory over sin is found in the death and resurrection of Christ.

(Gen 1:26-27, 3:1-24; Rom 3:10-23, 5:12; Eph 2:12-13; Is 59:2).

SECTION 9. SOTERIOLOGY

(The Doctrine of Salvation): We believe that because of sin and its results, all of mankind needs salvation. This salvation was provided potentially for all of mankind through the death of Christ on the cross. It has past, present, and future implications. All three members of the Trinity are involved in salvation. A saved person has been converted and justified as God has declared him to be righteous. The sinless Christ is his Substitute whereby reconciliation is made with God on behalf of man. Christ’s death fully satisfied God’s righteous wrath against sin, whereby man can be redeemed from the slavery of sin and the curse of law. The saved man is made alive or regenerated by God at the point of salvation. He receives the privileges of an adopted son. All this is possible through the atoning death of Christ. This atonement is sufficient, applicable, and available to all. Its benefits are for all who exercise “repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” This glorious salvation is secure as it is based in the very character, promises, power, and deeds of the Godhead.

(Heb 9:24; Rom 3:24-25, 4:25, 8:34; 1Jn 2:1-2; Luke 1:35; Jn 1:1-2, 12, 14; Eph 1:7, 2:8-10; 1Pet 1:3-5).

SECTION 10. ESCHATOLOGY

(The Doctrine of the Last Things): We believe that spiritually Israel will one day return to the Lord and become a fully restored nation. Politically, Israel will spend most of her history prior to the Millennium under the sway of Gentile rulers. We believe in the pre-tribulational Rapture of the Church, in which all believers of the Church Age will be caught up by Christ to meet Him in the air. They will then be judged and rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The Church also makes up the Bride of Christ, which will be wed to Him after the Rapture at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. After the Rapture, those left on the earth will undergo the Seven Years of “Tribulation”, the last 31/2 years being called the “Great Tribulation”. This period will culminate in the wars of Armageddon and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Unlike the Rapture, this is a coming battle for judgment. After that Christ will establish the millennial reign of 1000 years duration. At the end of the 1000 year millennial reign, Satan will be loosed and will lead a revolt with the unbelieving children of the Millennium. The Great White Throne Judgment of all unsaved people will follow. After these times the eternal new heaven and new earth will begin.

(Rom 11:7-26; 1Co 15:51-57; 1Thes 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14; Zech 14:4-11; Mt 24:15-25, 46; Rev 6:1-17&21, 19:6-9, 20:6, 11-15; Luke 16:19-43; Dan 9:27; Jude 1:6-7; Phil 1:23; 2Thes 1:7-9, 2:1-12; Jer 30:7).